tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356686692024-02-21T10:59:06.058-06:00Shop Sew Gracious on EtsySew Gracious is on social media @SewGracious
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Shop at sewgracious.etsy.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger502125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-1698402813245392952012-04-04T07:00:00.000-05:002012-06-05T11:11:27.757-05:00Sew Gracious is staying BUSY!<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Where to find me:</b></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://www.sewgracious.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy </a><br />
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<b>Hey Friends! </b>Remember me? </div>
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I'm the one who used to blog here, regularly.<br />
Yeah....<b>that</b> girl!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyxnghvtjBJ3DD2mvtlMrjUQKcOnY-PZCuOHGgAMYGspcnvsEdMDuyNuX2SorXTYvIA5JpSNl0b96MuUdA9kjdDyfeBuvAIiLQ67aNHSfBHfIV4qyjLNbUbKSnOgHJIHQECqd/s1600/081011Pillow-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyxnghvtjBJ3DD2mvtlMrjUQKcOnY-PZCuOHGgAMYGspcnvsEdMDuyNuX2SorXTYvIA5JpSNl0b96MuUdA9kjdDyfeBuvAIiLQ67aNHSfBHfIV4qyjLNbUbKSnOgHJIHQECqd/s200/081011Pillow-17.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILclBzXOu5doP8zUzak9LNVyZuELDdsXQPlh9TvZSE8g0lW0fHQJddA8QrX15GQJZFQKM2L6WqgylTey1J8MhY1Q-FlKKlI3-28nfrQql0zxwglxbGe8vz6GDGe9PEfNnxCBS/s1600/082111Pillows-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILclBzXOu5doP8zUzak9LNVyZuELDdsXQPlh9TvZSE8g0lW0fHQJddA8QrX15GQJZFQKM2L6WqgylTey1J8MhY1Q-FlKKlI3-28nfrQql0zxwglxbGe8vz6GDGe9PEfNnxCBS/s200/082111Pillows-10.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE5wzbMUa2xHvCVCOEHI2C1on73RGsPrNWhL_Bnl5x3fz54rcAM1QjwsCz5ajyb6aNETbUXi0wKY8Yb7M7eKDQTFen6YAWGx7KnvxxjeE3nMSMJYz9YPoMBvITURTn6M27gBY/s1600/082111Pillows-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE5wzbMUa2xHvCVCOEHI2C1on73RGsPrNWhL_Bnl5x3fz54rcAM1QjwsCz5ajyb6aNETbUXi0wKY8Yb7M7eKDQTFen6YAWGx7KnvxxjeE3nMSMJYz9YPoMBvITURTn6M27gBY/s200/082111Pillows-11.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCFIRF8Xqq6QEnPqitZgJ_xdGVjPt5klB9G1XxQ3nru11sIfRRswswiOkSrH3y-SCvXYvZnefsmxY4nuaKJCaEDrbiInVOawmesfCQravYHNKsFhWgza5lE3IVR-L-5Q9xOk-/s1600/082111Pillows-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCFIRF8Xqq6QEnPqitZgJ_xdGVjPt5klB9G1XxQ3nru11sIfRRswswiOkSrH3y-SCvXYvZnefsmxY4nuaKJCaEDrbiInVOawmesfCQravYHNKsFhWgza5lE3IVR-L-5Q9xOk-/s200/082111Pillows-2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a FEW of the dozens of beautiful pillow covers from the<a href="http://www.sewgracious.etsy.com/" target="_blank"> SG Etsy Shop</a><br />
Many sizes as well as custom sizes and sets are available!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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I can happily report that I haven't blogged because I've been busy with the new direction of <a href="http://www.sewgracious.etsy.com/" target="_blank">my Etsy shop</a>. Last fall, I started the transition from making organizer bins, accessories and the like to the world of home decor. I love making <b>pillow covers</b> and it's been a great success. </div>
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I realized that it was just much easier to keep customers up-to-date on the latest items and SG news via the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sewgracious" target="_blank">Sew Gracious Facebook page</a>. I'm already logged in there daily and it's easy to share a picture and a quick quip about something new. As much as I enjoyed doing the blog, it created more work and I felt like I was repeating myself here and on FB. </div>
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That said...<b>I hope you will<a href="http://www.facebook.com/sewgracious" target="_blank"> follow/like Sew Gracious on Facebook</a>.</b> I'm going to take a break from writing the blog for a while, but hope to get back to it. I have tons of pictures and recipes to share but until there are more than 24 hours in the day, I'll stick with sewing and keeping up up-to-date via Facebook.</div>
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If you any questions, you can message me via the Etsy shop or Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-44624350380719470762012-01-01T17:48:00.000-06:002012-01-01T17:48:00.005-06:00Happy New Year 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKPX2OTKVynmnAiQW3cOsVd1-_jXqDi9fW_DnBX_oxuZ9ZuarjgcJhKKharHS1YFNxKRRSFDGM5Z1n3-1Ye4qXl9L4WM77mE5JfpaeqfsxSLwvZLOKZgNJ5vnZQsstqyqjT-x/s1600/beach2012_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKPX2OTKVynmnAiQW3cOsVd1-_jXqDi9fW_DnBX_oxuZ9ZuarjgcJhKKharHS1YFNxKRRSFDGM5Z1n3-1Ye4qXl9L4WM77mE5JfpaeqfsxSLwvZLOKZgNJ5vnZQsstqyqjT-x/s400/beach2012_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you to all of my customers for making 2011 another successful year at Sew Gracious! It's because of you that I am able to be a work-at-home-mom...able to do "mom stuff" and "family stuff" whenever I am needed, but enjoying the ability to be my own boss. THANK YOU!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">May 2012 be a wonderful year for us all. Praying for peace, happiness, kindness, generosity, good health, prosperity, a positive change for our nation, a turnaround in our economy and just for folks to be considerate of others.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With love & best wishes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pam</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-72823554532868656232011-12-12T06:30:00.000-06:002011-12-12T06:30:03.274-06:00Christmas & Holiday Ordering Deadline & Vacation Notice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEgcPc-NTjggYLIE_3FTknb994B16X-DWN35yc3PLtgkFhfp_4EJfiIwxGFHZjIBaTQtmtq_FhGdO9bVARTF4uc3UUH0c1SdWrj6mqe_eD6trRQo-ZZI4lcplfT5M8KxJzO01/s1600/TangledTinsel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEgcPc-NTjggYLIE_3FTknb994B16X-DWN35yc3PLtgkFhfp_4EJfiIwxGFHZjIBaTQtmtq_FhGdO9bVARTF4uc3UUH0c1SdWrj6mqe_eD6trRQo-ZZI4lcplfT5M8KxJzO01/s400/TangledTinsel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Available in at </em></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryWorkshop" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>CountryWorkshop</em></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em> on Etsy</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><u>Well, that just about says it all, doesn't it? ;)</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today is December 12. That means only 13 days until the Big Day. That also means shopping time is getting short; especially if ordering items that need to be mailed to you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: small;">The deadline for ordering from the Sew Gracious Etsy Shop is</span> </span></span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14, 2011</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">After that date, the Etsy shop will remain open during the holidays, but no new orders can be processed until after Christmas. My machines will go to the shop for their annual tune up and I'll be spending time with my family. Yay! I may try to work on more destashing in the studio so watch for new fabrics and some supplies to be available after Christmas. Goodness knows that I have plenty of fabric that needs a new home. :) </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> Ready to ship items will be shipped throughout the holiday season. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Enjoy these last few days before Christmas and remember to take care of yourself too. :)</span><strong></strong></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-67967297959959453812011-11-27T17:52:00.000-06:002011-11-27T17:52:27.561-06:00CYBER MONDAY SALE starts now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xLTlcZd2o7Xd_YEuP-cD5yUNbffTbRMhRt7rHyFDAcubEIjZ3UyMHJ_QprAcMA1_Xv-pAtCT3JzMC8sqbkeWlUKpu2hV2g5w8QJvQ1U1fmTcbfPy4Ww6F6p0WehyphenhyphenUq5mUYv2/s1600/ChristmasPillowAvatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xLTlcZd2o7Xd_YEuP-cD5yUNbffTbRMhRt7rHyFDAcubEIjZ3UyMHJ_QprAcMA1_Xv-pAtCT3JzMC8sqbkeWlUKpu2hV2g5w8QJvQ1U1fmTcbfPy4Ww6F6p0WehyphenhyphenUq5mUYv2/s640/ChristmasPillowAvatar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a wonderful, busy, family-filled, Christmas decorating, cooking, eating, napping and eating a little more weekend in Sew Graciousville. I hope yours has been just as wonderful. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow is another big day. Cyber Monday is the Monday following Black Friday. Everyone is back at work or home and they are shopping online. Personally, I like that best. You can have a cup of tea, a glass or wine or whatever you like; wear your yoga pants and shop, shop, shop. What's better than that!?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Cyber Monday special is up & running in the<a href="http://sewgracious.etsy.com/" target="_blank"> SG Etsy shop</a> now. Why wait til Monday when you can knock out some shopping tonight? </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Receive free US shipping<br />
when you enter </span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><strong>CYBERMONDAY2011</strong>in the coupon code box at checkout. Easy-peasy!</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-33894439223430170892011-11-25T06:02:00.000-06:002011-11-25T06:02:39.962-06:00Black Friday, Small Business Saturday & Cyber Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cV6cwo6tXzN-mfa0x-i9Z2PsF43nDt2NHhT24vCmT2SG3AN9EKXOSsk4SjRWevj1SqHsOGD3calyHrKVBsaCWgm0sPIdpPJlhQRM6giIDWUVp3dzYG2jG7Ndc0jeJjaE-U-L/s1600/FreeShipWeekendblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cV6cwo6tXzN-mfa0x-i9Z2PsF43nDt2NHhT24vCmT2SG3AN9EKXOSsk4SjRWevj1SqHsOGD3calyHrKVBsaCWgm0sPIdpPJlhQRM6giIDWUVp3dzYG2jG7Ndc0jeJjaE-U-L/s400/FreeShipWeekendblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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If you are reading this, you survived the Turkey Coma of Thanksgiving 2011 and possibly some midnight/all night shopping at some big box places. Now it's time to get home and do some shopping online.<br />
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As you know, today is Black Friday, the kick off to the biggest shopping weekend of the season. Sew Gracious is offering <strong>FREE US SHIPPING</strong> when you enter the code <strong>'BLACKFRIDAY2011'</strong> at Etsy checkout. Remember to enter the code to receive your discount because the Etsy cart automatically takes care of that for you. :) <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sorry, but this can't be applied to previously place orders or if the code is not entered.</span><br />
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A new player in the big shopping weekend is <u>Small Business Saturday</u>. That's a new push to have customer focus on small business...like Sew Gracious! It's also intended to encourage shoppers to spend the dollars locally, at shops in their own town. The point is to try to boost the economy and keep the little guys, like us, going strong too. After all, we are the backbone of this country.<br />
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You know about Cyber Monday. That day when people are back at work after the long weekend. They still want to shop so they do it from their computers. What's not to love about that? SG will be participating too!<br />
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Check the Sew Gracious Etsy Shop Announcements all weekend for current coupon codes.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">HAPPY SHOPPING!</span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-68114388604320893432011-11-11T09:13:00.001-06:002011-11-11T09:18:08.010-06:0011/11/11 Thank you, Veterans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thank you!<br />
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Two simple words which seem so inadequate for today.<br />
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Veterans and their family have served our country proudly and continue to do so. They are true heroes. They protect our country and uphold our Constitution. Their service keeps our country safe, assuring that rights are protected. <br />
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Thank you, Veterans and current service members! Your service is not forgotten nor taken for granted in our home. Your families sacrifice as you do. We thank them as well.<br />
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May God protect you whereever you service!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-34465009711779338992011-10-31T09:25:00.000-05:002011-10-31T09:25:29.633-05:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>HAPPY HALLOWEEN!</strong></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-56147814049476825392011-10-03T08:25:00.000-05:002011-10-03T08:25:48.493-05:00Pumpkin Spice Marshmallow Rice Krispy TreatsHave you noticed, all things <span style="color: #b45f06;"><u><strong>"pumpkin"</strong></u></span> are hot right now. Who doesn't love {and wait all year} on a good Pumpkin Spice Latte? Have you seen all of the yummy seasonal creamers in the grocery store? <span style="font-size: x-small;">I can recommend International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer {but that's another post}.</span> If you visit Pinterest, you will see everything from creative, decorative pumpkins to some of the yummiest sounding recipes on the planet. Yes, Pumpkin is hot.<br />
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While grocery shopping over the weekend, I stumbled across these:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xviWRnhx6lSwVRxABISMsTQ8jZYydpGFjTXlndF4xJLvCqVgWw-niizar1Jqqx7wMPUnFfPQsPYycopMoO4z5qvNxZ3sRUogO2_d3urPQSHh-kd47X4LSecWmDjwG8eIvIdR/s1600/100111RiceKrispyTreats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xviWRnhx6lSwVRxABISMsTQ8jZYydpGFjTXlndF4xJLvCqVgWw-niizar1Jqqx7wMPUnFfPQsPYycopMoO4z5qvNxZ3sRUogO2_d3urPQSHh-kd47X4LSecWmDjwG8eIvIdR/s640/100111RiceKrispyTreats.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes! Thank you, Kraft for creating this yummy treat! They are good straight out of the bag. If you're a snacker, you might want to grab an extra bag to munch on while you make the real deal. When I saw these in the store, I remembered seeing a pin on Pinterest about pumpkin marshmallow treats. hmmmmm...the wheels started turning. It was convenient that Kraft even printed their recipe right on the bag. ;)<br />
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So, I got a box of Rice Krispies & whipped up a batch. These are made exactly the same way that regular rice krispy treats are made. All of the pumpkin spice is in the marshmallows. Let's just say they are a GOOD THING!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYyw1IqU_RooZ2bDjgpoQc3-LdZQyUv1dRO3NHx3dBoqKgxd2A1dzgup8IY5k7HoW887wmrWRwIKhOKouGKclpErpSnhjBwketF96bwIk7kJN18GL8bn0kZ9wiF3bk2s7Op9v/s1600/100111RiceKrispyTreats-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYyw1IqU_RooZ2bDjgpoQc3-LdZQyUv1dRO3NHx3dBoqKgxd2A1dzgup8IY5k7HoW887wmrWRwIKhOKouGKclpErpSnhjBwketF96bwIk7kJN18GL8bn0kZ9wiF3bk2s7Op9v/s640/100111RiceKrispyTreats-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look! They are a cute little pumpkin shape & color. And, they melted easily!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaM2CFoqaDFKhzkHijm0dhJQct7PxeGMVOw1qNKGFh-S_MppBRSbi-rN3PR1nEp2udTrw9pZu1y5TOvJcOE4l__NIx2d9tG3_AwFTqYhdvUEkf5GFpeYu6RGcnWy0yruePuqM/s1600/100111RiceKrispyTreats-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaM2CFoqaDFKhzkHijm0dhJQct7PxeGMVOw1qNKGFh-S_MppBRSbi-rN3PR1nEp2udTrw9pZu1y5TOvJcOE4l__NIx2d9tG3_AwFTqYhdvUEkf5GFpeYu6RGcnWy0yruePuqM/s640/100111RiceKrispyTreats-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had to snap this picture quickly. They didn't last very long. ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMG0atj1EEoay3IKyaeMDXVbOUf9iVxdv_9SZC_UBTo719wLkwWAK6D245LgSPM6JTXk-eoNYBYcquBYhtTY_N-4f1tZGcjAIxLvCHDzpkmBJZ7_kU6ZLfFb6U-TpRPPKFrQTN/s1600/100111RiceKrispyTreats-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMG0atj1EEoay3IKyaeMDXVbOUf9iVxdv_9SZC_UBTo719wLkwWAK6D245LgSPM6JTXk-eoNYBYcquBYhtTY_N-4f1tZGcjAIxLvCHDzpkmBJZ7_kU6ZLfFb6U-TpRPPKFrQTN/s640/100111RiceKrispyTreats-3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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What pumpkin goodness have you discovered lately?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-30468380096537301352011-09-22T08:00:00.000-05:002011-09-22T08:16:19.547-05:00Bunting & Garland & Banners ... oh my!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Fun . Festive . Colorful .</span></strong> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T4wvB4d-LdyAZ2RTjwoxoDhHHX-WScVyGm4ibGvklOkUd33RS7ULfUYN-X_2z50xUfLErJfQbwW961hp8H2NhByGXXRbkZPpt0qnwmwpF-5sN09CNXqcjdOhAuB96pDAmiEC/s1600/Bunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T4wvB4d-LdyAZ2RTjwoxoDhHHX-WScVyGm4ibGvklOkUd33RS7ULfUYN-X_2z50xUfLErJfQbwW961hp8H2NhByGXXRbkZPpt0qnwmwpF-5sN09CNXqcjdOhAuB96pDAmiEC/s640/Bunting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u>Let's face it...bunting is fun!</u> It's a great way to add color and pattern to any occasion or home decor. As Sew Gracious moves forward, we are now offering BUNTING! Some folks call it garland, flags, banners, bunting...just know it is fun! Visit the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewgracious?section_id=10425963" target="_blank">SG Etsy Shop</a> to see them all.<br />
<ul>
<li>Use bunting to decorate for a baby shower, then let the parents-to-be take it home to hang in the nursery. Make your little one's birthday special by hanging their special bunting at their party.</li>
<li>Bunting is a great casual window valance</li>
<li>For outdoor gatherings, string across the fence or hang from the branches. Just remember to bring your bunting inside after the party.</li>
<li>String along the mantel...pretty for holidays!</li>
<li><u>PHOTOGRAPHERS</u> ~~~ This is the perfect photo prop!</li>
<li><strong>THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!</strong></li>
</ul>
<u>About Every Sew Gracious Fabric Bunting Banner:</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Front and Back of EVERY INDIVIDUAL flag are made from the same fabric for a finished look</li>
<li>Reusable and eco-friendly! </li>
<li>Flags are securely sewn into a bias band that is made in the studio from 100% cotton fabric </li>
<li>No premade bias tape is ever used; insuring the durability and quality of your item</li>
</ul>
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<u><span style="font-size: xx-small;">***Please exercise the utmost care & caution when displaying banners around children. This item is <strong>purely</strong> for decoration & is <strong>not a toy. It must be kept out of reach of children or babies.</strong></span></u></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-40999915971104645632011-09-11T08:00:00.000-05:002011-09-11T08:00:02.302-05:00It's been 10 years ...<div align="center">
<span style="color: #000066; font-family: arial; font-size: 180%;"><strong>10 years have passed</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">where were you when you heard?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">how did you feel?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">what did you do?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20Mw9wvILWM4CyseKTEUk8XCPILlxEwbNx5nlKFwCKEuYTGEiYaxrUxOGhiaoJEhbEESSoZ8xvt4JEsHNr2VVGLSowfey8_0XYg-OjcmhS5UCaxmkI0yOTXceorqWwS1GF-we/s1600-h/Blog_911_Statue_Liberty.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379831109539413282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20Mw9wvILWM4CyseKTEUk8XCPILlxEwbNx5nlKFwCKEuYTGEiYaxrUxOGhiaoJEhbEESSoZ8xvt4JEsHNr2VVGLSowfey8_0XYg-OjcmhS5UCaxmkI0yOTXceorqWwS1GF-we/s400/Blog_911_Statue_Liberty.jpg" style="display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 352px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">It started out as a perfectly beautiful fall day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">... then the landscape was forever changed</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6T8GjrXlmVmdGluzaCZIeyG50vu7FjnkPhVxrpsuTKLx_-Re2Q-tOJ2L3qJyC5bIGb6N9L-Dg6NS2C43WGri-8ItAx5NTuyV_Vv9USIRBVV4T4yDnj2PiP6NEwRIanfFtFYt/s1600-h/9-11-photo-2-smaller.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379831102815709762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6T8GjrXlmVmdGluzaCZIeyG50vu7FjnkPhVxrpsuTKLx_-Re2Q-tOJ2L3qJyC5bIGb6N9L-Dg6NS2C43WGri-8ItAx5NTuyV_Vv9USIRBVV4T4yDnj2PiP6NEwRIanfFtFYt/s400/9-11-photo-2-smaller.jpg" style="display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">we lit candles and displayed ribbons</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjQnlvaVeB5LSyAyMZN0yZ7kbbXnShPYuPdM2b67lzVasIdojP4AP636gPHT-8H5cVbvY1g42DnzT-GPdqSh0vXSxhZ_XWo4MG4yFjG1mi-Klp_tFKpjd8PkPn0NzFf6WFQjh/s1600-h/9-11-01candlesimplelarge1.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379831092900380738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjQnlvaVeB5LSyAyMZN0yZ7kbbXnShPYuPdM2b67lzVasIdojP4AP636gPHT-8H5cVbvY1g42DnzT-GPdqSh0vXSxhZ_XWo4MG4yFjG1mi-Klp_tFKpjd8PkPn0NzFf6WFQjh/s400/9-11-01candlesimplelarge1.gif" style="display: block; height: 389px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 325px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">don't forget</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG0vYhYzXUJd3G9W2VTlZ1TGZzNJBYd6b8TTLqxJB-XqvJyTugICK_-1wB0dMVLEcWawxbwb7DC6PIHnNb7sWR_yipFofwpb8V738bhhAlxMRy9BmtuNIjWQRKZageIboLsOdIA/s1600-h/911_34.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244772017024984786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG0vYhYzXUJd3G9W2VTlZ1TGZzNJBYd6b8TTLqxJB-XqvJyTugICK_-1wB0dMVLEcWawxbwb7DC6PIHnNb7sWR_yipFofwpb8V738bhhAlxMRy9BmtuNIjWQRKZageIboLsOdIA/s400/911_34.gif" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUg7-nZiq2ypvyloKBLZvcaqybyVZp_wJc4cdw2MzlrwmAToC5FUB-b53G53rvLqtT4SNA8qSYgA17N8kgiI3ku20NrzMmOl6EDM9MyYlErGY6B9-5dswobLDbThziDPtwM9mtQ/s1600-h/911lights.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244772019172242114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUg7-nZiq2ypvyloKBLZvcaqybyVZp_wJc4cdw2MzlrwmAToC5FUB-b53G53rvLqtT4SNA8qSYgA17N8kgiI3ku20NrzMmOl6EDM9MyYlErGY6B9-5dswobLDbThziDPtwM9mtQ/s400/911lights.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsnGwPyrrQpZtW-sz2_LGGsjlbD2HFsvlcf4D56CD4p2sS1JVz_LmDm8ut55XSkTs1-DWwiwXeBDoq4mMLTdZhlgZYCNPL1QBBM1z5AeIrfsJrsCiN1Rjtiige5yys9OxyeLmIA/s1600-h/Tribute.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244772022219247426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsnGwPyrrQpZtW-sz2_LGGsjlbD2HFsvlcf4D56CD4p2sS1JVz_LmDm8ut55XSkTs1-DWwiwXeBDoq4mMLTdZhlgZYCNPL1QBBM1z5AeIrfsJrsCiN1Rjtiige5yys9OxyeLmIA/s400/Tribute.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPSzaw2McM9v98ujtdN-kTZmOMfFp0dM62gWvo4sY49kX1l7lhnJehEMr0DXuEewQjX3ua7-N60oSB1rvwJl4jPqJLnS549vGnLpbbxwgRU2CNU3Do7c-1MNvPg7kTf1x0UELQg/s1600-h/FREEDOM.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244772024842367042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPSzaw2McM9v98ujtdN-kTZmOMfFp0dM62gWvo4sY49kX1l7lhnJehEMr0DXuEewQjX3ua7-N60oSB1rvwJl4jPqJLnS549vGnLpbbxwgRU2CNU3Do7c-1MNvPg7kTf1x0UELQg/s400/FREEDOM.gif" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> <span style="font-family: arial;"><strong>Freedom. It's not free.</strong></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKB-pbAQwVwJlhSiBP4carxrCbkJPqUjua4fp5-0nuS9LLGBmYbzf_Td2BCs2TubMu4wsjTEJW88_78d7BRiJNU7mwPjflJhOeLB257Usrk0FirPkxZY1qbZ8NR-Q1maKa0eRSg/s1600-h/longwave.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244772029883860290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKB-pbAQwVwJlhSiBP4carxrCbkJPqUjua4fp5-0nuS9LLGBmYbzf_Td2BCs2TubMu4wsjTEJW88_78d7BRiJNU7mwPjflJhOeLB257Usrk0FirPkxZY1qbZ8NR-Q1maKa0eRSg/s400/longwave.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">honor . integrity . bravery . courage . patriotism</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlutcC_7a9C6_8fI8y0dygOD0_23v_WWXP64I6PTEn1bIwiJhRlO3yDgOP2pi2M03qhXoML8Yr9fU75_7A0roqq53w68-AMiOJYvGmeOlCEJk_AFPD2olEKxo6b93UiVgLl1G/s1600-h/groundzerounderworld460.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379831109750739602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlutcC_7a9C6_8fI8y0dygOD0_23v_WWXP64I6PTEn1bIwiJhRlO3yDgOP2pi2M03qhXoML8Yr9fU75_7A0roqq53w68-AMiOJYvGmeOlCEJk_AFPD2olEKxo6b93UiVgLl1G/s400/groundzerounderworld460.jpg" style="display: block; height: 261px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Heroes</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeXIpKJ-BYuEt8c6dPSlgugy0CKe25CO-F2BePyRpotf6RPFkGGmx5hfbFpNyKImvPjlKPozPdsV8-atWdsFTaiKiuyurW9M1qhejpRalB56jr65_u8NHBFACSCwhHdYtq-yv/s1600-h/iwo-9-11-final.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379831120250238370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeXIpKJ-BYuEt8c6dPSlgugy0CKe25CO-F2BePyRpotf6RPFkGGmx5hfbFpNyKImvPjlKPozPdsV8-atWdsFTaiKiuyurW9M1qhejpRalB56jr65_u8NHBFACSCwhHdYtq-yv/s400/iwo-9-11-final.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 344px;" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Please don't forget what happened then</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">in New York, in Washington DC & Pennsylvania<br />
and don't forget those who protect our country today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank you to the heroes, those we know and the unsung heroes who serve quietly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">. . .don't forget</span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">This was originally posted 9.11.09. In tribute, I share this with you again.<br />
Sometimes there is no need to reinvent the wheel.</span></em><br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-58216747940919395912011-08-24T11:56:00.002-05:002011-08-24T11:56:36.447-05:00Wordless Wednesday : sweet petunia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbCHcTf2jbN-S1kSf-msiP8c0o-z8NIuML6RQhzzVYV3oxlTomhdBXfL9eP8h76Ha8zjhAdjuQsKiVKPUhvNf68A7eZeZKbUraFEB-ZBjyQPLqr4PNCSTlBBYgvTGSbHcFjXd/s1600/100_5288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbCHcTf2jbN-S1kSf-msiP8c0o-z8NIuML6RQhzzVYV3oxlTomhdBXfL9eP8h76Ha8zjhAdjuQsKiVKPUhvNf68A7eZeZKbUraFEB-ZBjyQPLqr4PNCSTlBBYgvTGSbHcFjXd/s640/100_5288.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-26639078878289181402011-08-20T12:13:00.000-05:002011-08-20T12:13:46.183-05:00Save 20% on Sew Gracious Pillow CoversSo, the Tag & Snag didn't go exactly as planned, but here's a promo I can control...<br />
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<u>Enter Coupon Code <strong>PILLOWINTRO</strong></u> at <a href="http://sewgracious.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> Checkout to <u>receive 20% off your Pillow Cover order</u>! Offer good through Sunday 8.21.11<br />
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Happy Shopping!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ngB_F1DYuI9WCSnu1ZLmTQE1lbQ9zdW6r6e3iFCiZFTlQ5WMA3iIKcTJb96uph2Tia3UL7A3t1AXeIdhFtRol2iz8-s75GqlEPu3voj16i4mfqZtGmriw6Yk8GqNQbHdEz4-/s1600/081011Pillow-29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ngB_F1DYuI9WCSnu1ZLmTQE1lbQ9zdW6r6e3iFCiZFTlQ5WMA3iIKcTJb96uph2Tia3UL7A3t1AXeIdhFtRol2iz8-s75GqlEPu3voj16i4mfqZtGmriw6Yk8GqNQbHdEz4-/s320/081011Pillow-29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMdiMJOBF9Np-kDmcKJv9iTqwBPK-aIsjFBdpllc87i91MfijSAt9VW4_7OOeqYmK6mbDKXIRnk89sU4UVEAfnamm8WCrfmkRJ8LV-KBLGjFnRaKam2wHKr6dTKcFsa9AaVMe/s1600/081011Pillow-38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMdiMJOBF9Np-kDmcKJv9iTqwBPK-aIsjFBdpllc87i91MfijSAt9VW4_7OOeqYmK6mbDKXIRnk89sU4UVEAfnamm8WCrfmkRJ8LV-KBLGjFnRaKam2wHKr6dTKcFsa9AaVMe/s320/081011Pillow-38.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-thro9zaClULQSy_f3R1pHRcoRk4_d2Z7MU6llnB711UDtb4qvr2F6HT9feH9I_me3aZNfYhABMpIxbLSJNzZJk_a8obJ2SppQyUxshwlZBJJQcChP3HEyJbyJVG2nuIxg0fr/s1600/081011Pillow-22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-thro9zaClULQSy_f3R1pHRcoRk4_d2Z7MU6llnB711UDtb4qvr2F6HT9feH9I_me3aZNfYhABMpIxbLSJNzZJk_a8obJ2SppQyUxshwlZBJJQcChP3HEyJbyJVG2nuIxg0fr/s320/081011Pillow-22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocAko3Fd6SFyaue3fIz2BBFa8qIKu1d06hzwchEbmuGnioTDovRLKhvZZ_SigXmE5Hr5eEFHmz6RUkMg_T7a7VYNhg_jjmdXIviq9A2w5SAjFA4tncRA8CSgK8nNp-5BFwGq8/s1600/081011Pillow-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocAko3Fd6SFyaue3fIz2BBFa8qIKu1d06hzwchEbmuGnioTDovRLKhvZZ_SigXmE5Hr5eEFHmz6RUkMg_T7a7VYNhg_jjmdXIviq9A2w5SAjFA4tncRA8CSgK8nNp-5BFwGq8/s320/081011Pillow-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
See the entire selection in the <a href="http://sewgracious.etsy.com/">Sew Gracious Etsy Shop!</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-12732645227366983722011-08-19T11:48:00.002-05:002011-08-19T13:33:43.809-05:00Tag & Snag to WIN<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u>HOLD THE PHONE!</u></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>This promotion has ended.</strong> We found out from a friend and sister businesswoman, that Tag and Snags are against Facebook policy. She had successful used them to promote new products in her business until FB contacted her directly. She has since discontinued this type of promo and was kind enough to share her experience with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So...my apologies for the short duration of this promo. A winner will be contacted via FB message and we will go back to the drawing board to come up with new promo ideas. Suggestions are welcome!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #bf9000; font-size: small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Want to win a pair of Sew Gracious Pillow Covers?</span></strong> <br />
I hoped you might!<br />
Run, don't walk, to the <a href="http://facebook.com/sewgracious">Sew Gracious Facebook Page</a>. Scroll down til you find this picture:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzDjTUB5SVIDegYMWM42y-VGzbwJiU-_jIo4t2FPbVbwWs1wYbneo3Y9UPlTs5qOF0XBI-RrpYZl6My0AA6rOEKnkcZdA4TbrDVUKY_xmEqYlWbUpU_vn7GsGQQHlAFFUhThB/s1600/081011Pillow-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzDjTUB5SVIDegYMWM42y-VGzbwJiU-_jIo4t2FPbVbwWs1wYbneo3Y9UPlTs5qOF0XBI-RrpYZl6My0AA6rOEKnkcZdA4TbrDVUKY_xmEqYlWbUpU_vn7GsGQQHlAFFUhThB/s320/081011Pillow-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<u>The post starts with "TAG and SNAG".</u> Click on that picture then tag yourself {even though it's not a picture of you}. Only one tag per person and please don't tag other people. You must tag yourself to be entered. "Liking" the post isn't an entry.<br />
A random winner will be chosen from all who tag. The winner will receive her choice of a pair of Sew Gracious pillow covers! Easy-peasy! GOOD LUCK!<br />
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Ready ... set ... GO!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-18148905061375336092011-08-18T10:38:00.000-05:002011-08-18T10:38:30.909-05:00A New Direction at Sew GraciousThings are changing around here! After many years of offering reversible organizer bins, holiday baskets & wallets, <strong>Sew Gracious is heading in an exciting, new direction;</strong> offering home decor items.<br />
The brand new line of Sew Gracious Pillow Covers was launched on <a href="http://sewgracious.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> yesterday! Here is a sampling of the new pillows. You'll notice lots of your favorite fabrics as well as some new favorites. More covers are in production now. On trend colors & patterns will be the focus.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cdmmVbv8_ysJVfyNaNyGcKUM7fC-2M1_RIoYD4FhrH3aAVdmfPDub5ln-YS6CEM29JSkiWz4m03bBtYrbduBDrNXk2_qgyTqtfe4p5hlQrtUr4y02unkt-u92L8l2oNbG3g6/s1600/Pillow+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cdmmVbv8_ysJVfyNaNyGcKUM7fC-2M1_RIoYD4FhrH3aAVdmfPDub5ln-YS6CEM29JSkiWz4m03bBtYrbduBDrNXk2_qgyTqtfe4p5hlQrtUr4y02unkt-u92L8l2oNbG3g6/s640/Pillow+Collage.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a quick overview of what you will love about Sew Gracious Pillow Covers:</div><br />
<li><u>Front & Back of the cover are made from the same decorator weight fabric.</u> Some pillow covers offered on Etsy, and elsewhere, are made using the decorative fabric <u>only</u> on the front. The backs are made from less expensive, solid cotton. The bottom line will result in a less expensive cover, but isn't it worth a few extra dollars to have a completely finished Sew Gracious cover that you are proud to display in your home?</li><br />
<li><u>Inside seams are serged to prevent fraying & insure durability of the cover</u> </li><br />
<li><u>Envelope closure in back, with a generous overlap to prevent gapping .</u> The envelope closure allows for an easy switch when you decide to change your decor or use new covers as the seasons change. All SG covers have a generous overlap so that your pillow doesn't gape open in the back.</li><br />
<li><u>Pillow forms are NOT INCLUDED but are readily available at fabric, craft & discount stores </u>in standard sizes {18 x 18, 16 x 16, 12 x 16 an others}. Forms are inexpensive and you can save even more by using store coupons. I get my forms at Hobby Lobby using their 40% off coupon which offered most every week. You can print it directly off their website or even get it on your smartphone. By using the coupon, you can get forms for around $5 depending on the size.</li><br />
<li> <u>Care instructions according to the fabric manufacturer</u>: Use cold water & mild detergent such as Woolite. Air Dry Only. Do Not Dry Clean. Press with a warm iron to remove any wrinkles. Handwashing is best and will help retain the shape of your covers.</li><br />
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<u>Most pillow covers are ready to ship!</u><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewgracious?section_id=5915911"><strong>Lanyards</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewgracious?section_id=5471250"><strong>keyfobs</strong></a><strong> will still be available in the Etsy shop, as always</strong>. New fabrics will be appearing in those categories as well!<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-55800103505825347652011-07-22T07:00:00.002-05:002011-07-22T07:00:17.920-05:00Glimpses from My Garden : First Fruits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love fresh, homegrown tomatoes. We are blessed with a<strong> <u>2</u></strong> local farmers markets. All the offerings are grown locally and many of the farmers depend on local sales to make ends meet. I love supporting our local farmers because they work so hard to bring us delicious food. For the past few weeks, I've been supporting our markets by buying tomatoes. There is just nothing like a fresh, homegrown tomato. I've been enjoying tomato sandwiches for lunch most everyday. I'm just saying.....there's nothing better!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will continue to shop with our local farmers, but I'm so excited that our tomatoes are finally getting ripe. Here are our first fruits! A couple of them look like romas, but they are all Better Boys ....and <u>boy, are they good</u>! We've been having some yellow grape tomatoes for the past few weeks. I haven't snapped any pics because they are usually consumed quickly...sometimes right off the vine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDk8WCTqst15IGqEanb0YzK9GeGOkphcHh91dpZ_GrduLAKwpLXfJT4lyGwTwIOLI1hzxzz6gALIUEvNfotBQvEBQ9gslbovH1aI4SJqKHZeSCt8vX49Q006gWA6EC1McXitDe/s1600/tomatoes2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDk8WCTqst15IGqEanb0YzK9GeGOkphcHh91dpZ_GrduLAKwpLXfJT4lyGwTwIOLI1hzxzz6gALIUEvNfotBQvEBQ9gslbovH1aI4SJqKHZeSCt8vX49Q006gWA6EC1McXitDe/s640/tomatoes2011.JPG" width="475" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I shared this picture on my personal FB page. A friend commented that the tomato on the bottom was quite odd looking. Yes, it is! Amazingly....it tastes just like a sweet banana pepper! {hoping my peppers will come on and do well. They've had a slow start, so far}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So...do you love tomatoes? What's your favorite way to eat fresh tomatoes? BLT? Tomatoes and mayo on white bread {that's an Old South delicacy!}, something a little more fancy? Let me know!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you have a local farmers market, show 'em some love! You won't find food that is any better or more fresh anywhere!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-85069311312365659902011-07-19T07:00:00.000-05:002011-07-19T07:00:06.620-05:004 years ago today . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nbWANo8Ya6IZuamrC4a5su248sX9gisFm4bceR0KB54fXOEkP8aEY0pp_aJfs6IgLcZt62qnyW7dPB5ZQxXPNJolBay7931W0F4_PKsfvsPrO7rcb-DRLKFJ7YqGV1IliV31/s1600/eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nbWANo8Ya6IZuamrC4a5su248sX9gisFm4bceR0KB54fXOEkP8aEY0pp_aJfs6IgLcZt62qnyW7dPB5ZQxXPNJolBay7931W0F4_PKsfvsPrO7rcb-DRLKFJ7YqGV1IliV31/s1600/eyes.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
. . . my eyes changed forever. <br />
<br />
I had LASIK surgery. I've heard it called a modern miracle and for me it was a good thing.<br />
<br />
I did need an enchancement within the first few months after my original surgery. My eyes were so terribly bad in the beginning, an enchancement is not unusual. I found it was better to be under corrected, rather than over corrected. Over correction would have resulted in needing readers immediately. Even though I'm nearing that age, I'm not quite there yet. :)<br />
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After my enhancement, things have been great. I do have some glasses that I sometimes need when driving at night. It's not a bad trade off. I don't need other vision correction, not even readers just yet. It's nice to get out of bed in the mornings without reaching for glasses. It's nice to not worry about taking contacts out before bed. It's just a wonderful convenience.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">LASIK is not for everyone and this post is not an endorsement of any procedure or any doctor. It is merely sharing of my personal experience.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-48865233402878894842011-07-11T07:00:00.000-05:002011-07-11T07:00:01.395-05:00Ya Just Never Know When You'll Get a Black EyeSo, just when you think it's a holiday week, people are on vacation, not much going on ..... <u><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">BAM!</span></strong></u> Your mother falls getting out of the shower, has a ginormous goose egg & black eye and no telling what else. Not exactly the way I {or my mom} wanted to spend the lazy days of summer. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbImV92WwJs3VEWAPfUEySjCAgpWn6Kpx1Olbb79hxxU2rklJH-hkrPpF114bz_HglvEc3-RfdT9MioODUA-ym7oQpkXaS5GX_B1oGrg57yInnySdxmU1qmobsicdaFZ3i7qV/s1600/emergency_room_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbImV92WwJs3VEWAPfUEySjCAgpWn6Kpx1Olbb79hxxU2rklJH-hkrPpF114bz_HglvEc3-RfdT9MioODUA-ym7oQpkXaS5GX_B1oGrg57yInnySdxmU1qmobsicdaFZ3i7qV/s320/emergency_room_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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My mom has her own space in our home. The space is relatively sound proof, but we do hear the occasional bump when a drawer or door is closed. She enjoys her privacy and we enjoy ours. Earlier this week, we heard a sound that didn't sound exactly right. It was not like the normal sounds we hear from her place so we checked it out. We found that my mom had fallen after getting out of the shower We got to her within a couple of minutes of her fall. The goose egg was already forming and I could tell she was going to have a nasty shiner. She was standing up when I got to her, but I knew she was hurt. I sat her down in a chair, got ice on that eye and tried to evaluate the situation. I'm thinking that we have to get a CT scan just to make sure there wasn't any kind of brain bleed. I insisted on a trip to the ER. She didn't want to go, but I put my foot down. You get to do that when you become the adult child. It flys a little better than trying it when your about 14 years old.<br />
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This episode began about 7:30 pm. Long story short, we went to the ER for a CT scan before 8pm. The CT didn't happen til 10pm. They decided to admit her for observation with emphasis on monitoring her heart. This was at 2:00am. Yes, we were in the ER for an eternity. I don't know that any of us has caught up on the lost sleep yet.<br />
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My mother is as healthy as a horse for her age. She's certainly never had heart problems. Needless to say, it brought a bit of concern that we didn't expect. After a few days of in-patient testing from head to toe, she was allowed to come home Friday afternoon. Hallelujah! She will follow up with her MD and her new cardiologist. Her black eye is really amazing. I didn't know how it would spread. It's now traveling across her nose and her other eye is beginning to blacken. My aunt says she looks like she came in second in a hatchet fight. Luckily the skin wasn't broken, but if she said she'd done a few rounds in the ring, I would believe her. It's already going through the entire rainbow of "black eye colors" too.<br />
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As scary as it all was, it is a blessing that nothing was broken. I do fear her falling and breaking a hip. It can happen so easily with ladies her age. It was also a blessing that we were home when this happened. It was a blessing that she didn't black out while driving or shopping. It was a blessing that she has a wonderful doctor. All in all, we cannot complain. God is good all the time! She's home now, resting and re-couping. She did go to church this morning, so I know she's going to be OK. If you do pray, those prayers would still be appreciated. :)<br />
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So...with the excitement of this week, Sew Gracious was on the back burner. No orders were shipped, no orders were sewn, no orders were even retrieved from the Etsy shop until today. Yes, I'm trying to catch up, get organized and get ready to sew my brains out for the next few days.<br />
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My customers are amazing. I've contacted many of you this afternoon and have received the kindest notes of concern and messages to let me know that this unexpected delay is not a problem. I truly love my customers and I love my mom. I can say that I am blessed too!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-59879947974105218712011-07-02T11:04:00.000-05:002011-07-02T11:04:52.466-05:004th of July Sparklers<span style="color: #20124d;"><strong>It's the beginning of a long holiday weekend. Where ever you go, what ever you do...</strong></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">be SPARKLY!</span></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqIaDG-E35XUZNsJByu_I-2bTCE13yfXBSf-XfSTd8gsKm8MSxCqpbIXdv_3YtQZSGDIU6O6L2-XcaM9y9e18lLxe1WEG-UMVIFZfauvOL2D437MGYJCzDc6z156sw9HxwMfS/s1600/070410+family-69.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqIaDG-E35XUZNsJByu_I-2bTCE13yfXBSf-XfSTd8gsKm8MSxCqpbIXdv_3YtQZSGDIU6O6L2-XcaM9y9e18lLxe1WEG-UMVIFZfauvOL2D437MGYJCzDc6z156sw9HxwMfS/s640/070410+family-69.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnv-tINDbPNNdKpvTSBaRn3Rc0NOZ8sKlvXbHnQI1Rgs3A1aNqG4aBQe9BKxw1fJ6trKE4etTnBbqg68wQFQdp_76szyGamZqo3OMOYFUpR7qk0x9ng1bnhYQ6fSgZ0oJ4Exw/s1600/070410+family-75.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnv-tINDbPNNdKpvTSBaRn3Rc0NOZ8sKlvXbHnQI1Rgs3A1aNqG4aBQe9BKxw1fJ6trKE4etTnBbqg68wQFQdp_76szyGamZqo3OMOYFUpR7qk0x9ng1bnhYQ6fSgZ0oJ4Exw/s640/070410+family-75.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Congratulations! You made it halfway through 2011. Today is July 1.<br />
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The first 6 months may or may not have been all that you anticipated on January 1.<br />
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The good news is...you still have 6 more months to make 2011 a great year! It's a long weekend. We can be thankful for our independence. Spend some time with family. Enjoy the freedom of being an American. Grab a watermelon, light a sparkler and relax a bit over the next few days. I'm sure your deserve it. <br />
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Not matter the circumstance, we are all blessed in some way. Here's to jumping for joy for your blessings!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-64291366593195917352011-06-04T08:00:00.001-05:002011-06-04T08:11:58.935-05:00Blackberry Cobbler Recipe {again}I see Blackberry Cobbler on our menu for the weekend. If you've run across some great berries lately, you might give <a href="http://sew-gracious.blogspot.com/2009/06/it-bears-repeating-blackberry-cobbler.html">my simple little recipe</a> a go. Be sure to pick up some vanilla ice cream too! It's a sin to have cobbler with out ice cream, ya know!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><strong>Happy Hot Summer Weekend!</strong></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-45943942696882299592011-05-30T09:39:00.000-05:002011-05-30T09:39:17.719-05:00A Memorial Day Thank You!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3PD6hJ2p33ZWF6nduQZ4v2gd-Ozq7c-AQ4GJ3KKo3GaG_yPmRIqV8bTAa1SoQAwD6O_kbEV1Xs4h85caNRqJ4423HFvLvT9Zjr5GJPLs9XjlIVGCCjIYvcpaY_31YbDryRfm/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3PD6hJ2p33ZWF6nduQZ4v2gd-Ozq7c-AQ4GJ3KKo3GaG_yPmRIqV8bTAa1SoQAwD6O_kbEV1Xs4h85caNRqJ4423HFvLvT9Zjr5GJPLs9XjlIVGCCjIYvcpaY_31YbDryRfm/s640/flag.jpg" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Dear Men & Woman of our Military,</strong><br />
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<u>Thank you!</u> Thank you for the service you give, the sacrifices you make, that you put yourselves in harms' way every day. You don't do it for glory or praise or accolades. You do it because you are proud Americans. Your brothers & sisters in arms did it before you. Some of them paid the ultimate sacrifce, but they all sacrificed something. Maybe their time was spent in the battlefield while a baby was being born back home. Maybe they saw a "brother" take his last breath in a rice paddy in Vietnam. Perhaps they lost their own life to save the lives of many others in their squad. They were brave beyond compare... just like you. Maybe It is because of their example that you serve today. <br />
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Your families serve also. They may not be on the front lines, but they have their own front lines. They keep life going back home. Lots of single moms & dads are carrying the load of both parents while one is away; protecting our country. Their sacrifice must not go unnoticed. They keep you going when nothing else does.<br />
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This family will always be humbled & honored by your service. Because of you, we can sleep soundly at night. Because of you, we can proudly fly our flag...and we do.<br />
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Thank you is not enough.<br />
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With humble respect & appreciation,<br />
<em>The Sew Gracious Family</em> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-20325784864704591932011-05-27T08:02:00.000-05:002011-05-27T08:02:52.913-05:00So BlessedOne month ago today, our little town was forever changed; but I am still blessed! Simple things can bring the most joy. Enjoy this little glimpse at some of my joy. :)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wishing YOU joy today!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-2023159511762588732011-05-10T07:00:00.002-05:002011-05-10T07:40:42.256-05:00It's Good to be Back!What a long, strange trip it's been. We've all seen the aftermath of natural disasters on TV : hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods....<u>and tornadoes</u>. I can honestly say, you have no idea how overwhelming it is unless you survive one and see the destruction first hand. As I drive through town now, it is hard to recognize neighborhoods that I travel everyday. Trees have been sheared off, homes destroyed, power lines down. <br />
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<u><strong>These pictures were taken on our street, immediately after the tornado:</strong></u><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR_3kbV6qEdW-xYakzs3PWxXWD7jztccMBRJWSwgHm_7Y_Tk0Bdrh3ECnsKlnkZQ7UL0lsCaj4Wix5dOZFgMqSJ4vE9B50uYrXeCcnZFrybUfXKPCSDnAGNqzPfD2X_452Eg2/s1600/100_4969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR_3kbV6qEdW-xYakzs3PWxXWD7jztccMBRJWSwgHm_7Y_Tk0Bdrh3ECnsKlnkZQ7UL0lsCaj4Wix5dOZFgMqSJ4vE9B50uYrXeCcnZFrybUfXKPCSDnAGNqzPfD2X_452Eg2/s640/100_4969.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><em>This house is across the street and 3 houses down from us.</em> </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGz6ZGNFVnmyN7Djgw91gpD9gx0ZmUr3u-N87oBmV9xukU7ag8NXf3GYVdDzDkqBAKxCcEu-v8VDxs0XFd_mUlm22zD4iv-KIbqp_djomciafSrA8nALlDuoToDgr1OuQ-Urm/s1600/100_4971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGz6ZGNFVnmyN7Djgw91gpD9gx0ZmUr3u-N87oBmV9xukU7ag8NXf3GYVdDzDkqBAKxCcEu-v8VDxs0XFd_mUlm22zD4iv-KIbqp_djomciafSrA8nALlDuoToDgr1OuQ-Urm/s640/100_4971.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #bf9000;">This is in the yard, next to the house above.<br />
They are forunate the tree on the left fell into their pool rather than onto their house.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveYHnuafkuEgmJHEbNa3e5_ldhLz2mWGgjEXE6B4ME_G6EPRtDcBhqECpJIk3ns37bwTuINg8L5i3xvz9AFL4ZEuDpPL9B5Nzvt0I0TiqgPGlJ3T_Ccy6V6SzlEtgwBn6FCd1/s1600/100_4980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveYHnuafkuEgmJHEbNa3e5_ldhLz2mWGgjEXE6B4ME_G6EPRtDcBhqECpJIk3ns37bwTuINg8L5i3xvz9AFL4ZEuDpPL9B5Nzvt0I0TiqgPGlJ3T_Ccy6V6SzlEtgwBn6FCd1/s640/100_4980.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBMJ0b5X5RRyTitm8ACflZyGIUDBqaXKUETuXZTPvVPKuhqRJ7SugnLnH7Kp1rZDirZIIf2ld_Fu63MawcCHUpKr_L9t3PwdC8OqHxvM2Kiv4CDp3IeOZKOwwKBwgVrXzzvYm/s1600/100_4987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBMJ0b5X5RRyTitm8ACflZyGIUDBqaXKUETuXZTPvVPKuhqRJ7SugnLnH7Kp1rZDirZIIf2ld_Fu63MawcCHUpKr_L9t3PwdC8OqHxvM2Kiv4CDp3IeOZKOwwKBwgVrXzzvYm/s640/100_4987.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #bf9000;">On the other side of our block, behind our house.<br />
People were trapped in one or both of these houses for a short time.</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGC3pVvUrprMIOoi0qArowPqJYer_RO7VQ8tQb83mRjCSYby1OW3QRdb3mt9nofXsaVqtHP4SrGPULKx3OaQYuljKEouIFvrkDClOz659PmZP1h_-WtKx0li4qggHhSZLzntY/s1600/100_4993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGC3pVvUrprMIOoi0qArowPqJYer_RO7VQ8tQb83mRjCSYby1OW3QRdb3mt9nofXsaVqtHP4SrGPULKx3OaQYuljKEouIFvrkDClOz659PmZP1h_-WtKx0li4qggHhSZLzntY/s640/100_4993.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I'm thankful that our power and internet were restored after a week. I went 2 days without coffee before we got a generator. It wasn't that bad, but it was nice NOT to have a "lack of caffeine" headache finally. I had a headache from the stress of the situation so a little coffee was really nice. Even the powdered creamer wasn't so bad. :) I didn't realize just how physically tired I could be from emotional stress. I guess I suffered from an adrenaline crash. When it goes, so does your energy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuQe7u0VIjyoIPK_4ushFHNKZvsqk0Scir2SVrfU0PGAHjCNXIvWDciMMD8PqBdHvCaLRMrtPtzwG4ZTCt2TPTaE0uf5NjJ_P_8YJlvO6MIOE4nwj0PzHbQrh7rITigbMQKw3/s1600/100_4995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuQe7u0VIjyoIPK_4ushFHNKZvsqk0Scir2SVrfU0PGAHjCNXIvWDciMMD8PqBdHvCaLRMrtPtzwG4ZTCt2TPTaE0uf5NjJ_P_8YJlvO6MIOE4nwj0PzHbQrh7rITigbMQKw3/s640/100_4995.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #bf9000;">What's left at the intersection where we turn to go into our residential area.</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDp2jMKmOfTwhfD-gl4q5jeKXO9Tdw1snm6otNHan3XJJejwHrNP3Vlfxl7IAKvSSQZUlXFNEH9u20E80zp1jd_K7yLWQAawZvRyuo7rp5w8yLvoFtJNXi9Uve7UPZnYNz_6_S/s1600/100_4997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDp2jMKmOfTwhfD-gl4q5jeKXO9Tdw1snm6otNHan3XJJejwHrNP3Vlfxl7IAKvSSQZUlXFNEH9u20E80zp1jd_K7yLWQAawZvRyuo7rp5w8yLvoFtJNXi9Uve7UPZnYNz_6_S/s640/100_4997.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #bf9000;">Steeple at the Baptist Church. Lots of damage here.</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrOa-nZJhnq-qUHMrKnxU8Dw30UClpcZ6Q5rk4bAq0amh4vTHqMmppL5ZR9dlROD0AZGlRbKJPdMVmZTf97Z1iOt3vxYvKOQB7Jdi4Xt6PHplJYcif75XYkcnNqBAmLi4DAc5/s1600/100_5001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrOa-nZJhnq-qUHMrKnxU8Dw30UClpcZ6Q5rk4bAq0amh4vTHqMmppL5ZR9dlROD0AZGlRbKJPdMVmZTf97Z1iOt3vxYvKOQB7Jdi4Xt6PHplJYcif75XYkcnNqBAmLi4DAc5/s640/100_5001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #bf9000;">This sign was bent by the sheer force of the wind; estimated to be as much as 175 mph in this EF-4 tornado.</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwyxkNXyQKg7Mq4bA_Rne6qEjk6SddY8mFZtW71ZrnPh_e2ZxYd6pcZvEBVHtuZ1Na4NucQ-GajptQkgjtzb2F1LrSTUSqvMb5N9wRsCtoznAThTeDjkPLUUGX3LC8r2dURnR/s1600/100_5080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwyxkNXyQKg7Mq4bA_Rne6qEjk6SddY8mFZtW71ZrnPh_e2ZxYd6pcZvEBVHtuZ1Na4NucQ-GajptQkgjtzb2F1LrSTUSqvMb5N9wRsCtoznAThTeDjkPLUUGX3LC8r2dURnR/s640/100_5080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #bf9000;">Another sign, bent by the wind. {Sorry this one is a bit blurry}</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmm2Vx3aVBnQZO4bjTDrjIV5x4vjxfOMeN5KIT5qtTUCTqIcAqnO_YGzjx7IWeJevH1cAUz3BHZfMp2WlkGb5fN9VpV5DUjy0Ju0XZ_u7AXW0_2HAxA7KXG_jd35w82wS56Q6/s1600/100_5068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmm2Vx3aVBnQZO4bjTDrjIV5x4vjxfOMeN5KIT5qtTUCTqIcAqnO_YGzjx7IWeJevH1cAUz3BHZfMp2WlkGb5fN9VpV5DUjy0Ju0XZ_u7AXW0_2HAxA7KXG_jd35w82wS56Q6/s640/100_5068.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #bf9000;">Traffic lights at a downtown intersection as they were tangled by the storm.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #bf9000;">The sky was <u>INCREDIBLY blue</u> that next day with perfect puffy white clouds.</span></em></div><br />
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I quickly realized how peaceful life is with no power and before the hum of generators filled our neighborhood. The was no light pollution so the stars were brighter than I'd ever seen them. The weather was a bit cool at night; perfect for sitting on the screen porch with my family...<u>talking</u>; around the light of a single candle. The only sound was the sound of our voices. It was nice to not have the distractions of TV, internet, phones...the world. Don't get me wrong. I couldn't have been <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Ingalls_Wilder">Laura Ingalls Wilder</a>. I enjoy my creature comforts, but a break from them makes them not so routine any more and makes you appreciate time with family even a little more.<br />
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As I hung hand washed clothes on a makeshift clothesline, I was SO thankful that I had purchased a bag of wooden clothespins when we were at the beach a couple <span style="background-color: yellow;">of</span> weeks ago. I bought them to close bags of cereal and potato chips while we were there. Little did I know I would use them for their intended purpose only a few days later. It was a good reminder that God always holds me in the palm of His hand...even when I don't realize it or think about it.<br />
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Life is returning to more of a routine. <strong><u><a href="http://sewgracious.etsy.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The SG Etsy Shop opened back up today!</span></a></u></strong> School resumed after 8 days out because of the storms. People are doing daily things again...going to lunch, shopping, going to Walmart {yes, even WM was closed for a time after the storm}. Power is on in most of the city, but not all. Some people are still on generators and have no internet. There is still a long, long way to go. Storm debris still litters the streets. Power crews are still here from all-over. The guys from Texarkana, Texas have been on our street alot. I thanked one of these gentlemen yesterday and told him how much I appreciated all they had done. I think he may have been embarrassed by the attention. He smiled and said he was looking forward to being done so he could go back home. I don't blame him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaw84gKc8uqCT414AN1ZH9OhR7xNKqq45oAMt1GO8tMePy9D1r9cT6aBZ6FQMDVyb0f9eWR5rIZHASXEEo-YQpKiNRhAFeJOZPbEcZU3ivZkAIcDz9RxN-ugPeBu_Y33i1IiTh/s1600/100_5093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaw84gKc8uqCT414AN1ZH9OhR7xNKqq45oAMt1GO8tMePy9D1r9cT6aBZ6FQMDVyb0f9eWR5rIZHASXEEo-YQpKiNRhAFeJOZPbEcZU3ivZkAIcDz9RxN-ugPeBu_Y33i1IiTh/s640/100_5093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;">Home is a wonderful place to be!</span></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-79135398807081792942011-05-06T08:40:00.000-05:002011-05-06T08:40:45.404-05:00Tornado Update & a Message of HopeIt's been a little over a week now, since the tornado. We were lucky enough to have our power restored on Tuesday of this week; then the internet connection came back up on Wednesday. There are still many parts who town who have neither service. Some people are still using generator power and finding wi-fi hot spots where they may.<br />
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Clean up & volunteering is in full force. It is wonderful to see how this little town has pulled together. The Red Cross is here, the National Guard is here, Christian faith-based help is here from many parts of the country and the local people are helping each other.<br />
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The church can be the heart of many communities. Our little town is sometimes known as the "city of churches" because there are so many in close proximity to one another. That's one of the nice things about small-town Alabama. :) Two downtown churches were completely destroyed. Others, like mine, suffered a great deal of damage. We lost our beloved stained glass windows among other things.<br />
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We were among the members who came to our church the day after the storms to begin clean-up. We were able to see things that most of our members won't be able to see because the major clean-up has begun now. Our sanctuary and part of our building is now a "hard-hat only" area and completely off limits to members. It is estimated that 6-9 months will be necessary to do all of the necessary repairs. Luckily we have space that was not damaged in which to worship in the meantime.<br />
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We took pictures on that day after; from a perspective that few had. After much thought, we decided to put together a video with a message of hope. Little Gracious did most of the work on this which just a few suggestions from Mom. :)<br />
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<object height="510" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/q213D9o9Yks?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/q213D9o9Yks?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="510" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35668669.post-35090087426690180242011-05-03T13:18:00.000-05:002011-05-03T13:18:14.343-05:00We Survived the TornadoI live in Alabama. April 27, 2011 is a day that we will never forget and never want to repeat. Our town was devastated by an EF-4 tornado... possibly more than one. The downtown area of our little town was devastated. Many 100+ year old trees were literally ripped up by the roots. Many homes have been completely destroyed. Many business now lay in a rubble heap. The landscape was changed forever.<br />
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My family was blessed. We suffered no physical injury and only minor damage to our home. We watched the TV weather until our power went out. I knew that the tornado was close. I saw the swirling debris cloud right before we took shelter in our linen closet. I heard sounds of things breaking, trees coming down & wind blowing, but most the sound of my own voice praying. I was afraid of what I would see when we emerged. Praise God! Our house was still standing. The damage was minor. Our neighbors down the street weren't so lucky. There are probably 3 houses on our street that will have to be torn down. They had multiple trees fall on them.<br />
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At my home, we still have no power or internet connection...and we don't have smartphones. We were able to get a generator a few days ago, which has made things easier. Luckily, Sew Daddy likes to grill so he's been able to cook much of our frozen food before it spoiled. Frozen pizzas & homemade lasagna are very good when cooked on a Big Green Egg.<br />
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Last Thursday, we drove a 2 hour round trip to find gasoline and a wifi connection. At that time, I put my <a href="http://sewgracious.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> in vacation mode. It will remain that way until power & internet are available again. Today, I'm at a family member's house to check email for the first time since the storm.<br />
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I will be checking into <a href="http://facebook.com/sewgracious" target="_blank">FB</a> later today. Given the number of emails I was finally able to read today, lots of you have posted on my personal wall and also the <a href="http://facebook.com/sewgracious" target="_blank">SG wall.</a> I haven't read them yet; still trying to get through about 300 emails. :) Your ourpouring of support, concern, offers to bring us supplies , etc is overwhelming. I can never thank you all enough; especially because there are only a few of you that I've ever met face to face. I don't want to call it "the kindness of <u>strangers</u>" because I feel like I know so many of you even though we've never met.<br />
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I have lots of pictures that I would like to share but that will have to wait a few more days. Today when I came to a family member's house to get internet access, I brought my camera but forgot to bring my camera cable. I grabbed my cell phone charger instead. However, I'm sure you've seen pictures on the news. I heard that Diane Sawyer opened one of her broadcasts over the weekend with a picture of our church sanctuary. I can only image the other images you've seen. I have to say, seeing it on TV is nothing like living it. Many times, I've just been overcome with tears when I see our town...landmarks gone forever. I heard that Diane Sawyer said that our church would not be worshipping this past Sunday. I'm happy to say that she was mistaken. Our church did meet on Sunday, with no power, in the fellowship hall. It was standing room only! God's people came together and it was wonderful.<br />
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That brings to mind another point. This little town has united to help each other. Even with the devastation, all area churches and other organizations are working together to doing outreach during this difficult time. It's a true test of God's people. It is up to US to help our neighbors and not wait for the government to do so. Of course state and federal aid is here, needed and will be needed for months to come, but the Church is doing what God expects us to do. I'm thankful for the service of our first responders, police force, state troopers and national guard soldiers whose presence is so reassuring.<br />
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There was a community faith service on Sunday night. It was a time for people to gather, pray and just take a break from reality for a couple of hours. We were treated to a free concert by <a href="http://castingcrowns.com/" target="_blank">Casting Crowns</a> and it was incredible! Many, Many thanks to Mark Hall, the members of the group and the local officials who were able to provide that for our community.<br />
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Ok, I've gotten a bit long winded here. Just know that I appreciate you all and ask that you continue to pray for our community!<br />
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much love,<br />
PamUnknownnoreply@blogger.com