Ash Wednesday.... I am a Rebel.

At this time of the year, we see and hear so much about what everyone is "giving up for Lent."  It runs the gamut from foods to video games.  

Easter Sunday is awesome... lots of food, lots of celebration and giving praises for our Risen Lord.  So getting to eat or do something that was missing for 40 days.... well, that just makes the celebration all the more awesome!   

But, I am a Rebel.  I do not give any thing up for Lent. 

I understand that when we give up something that takes our time and focus away from God..... it is a good thing.  In fact, a very, very, very good thing.  

The rub for me..... if the idea is to give something up that draws your attention, focus and life away from God.... then maybe it should be given up not just for Lent - but for.......

forever. 

In my devotions today, a reading jumped out at me:  

For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.

 
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.  

Psalm 51:16-17

The sacrifice of a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.... 

Look to God for healing.

Look to God for Love. 

I want to heal.  I want to love. 

I am not going to give anything up.  I am going to add something.....  love.  

I am a Rebel.   

  

 

Crochet Love

Oh my..... so much crocheting going on at my place these days. 

It is funny.  One minute it is all about fabric and quilting.... then the next minute it is cooking and baking... and then it is all about yarn and crocheting.  My brain just does not want to stop.  Do you ever get the notion that there is just so much out there that your hands need to be in the middle of?  Oh my.... my brain works that way.  

Progress on the Super Bowl Sunday Color Afghan is going along just great...  this picture is actually from last week and more squares have been added, but the light tonight is not my friend.  

Yesterday was Prayer Shawl Fellowship.... I just love those ladies - they tirelessly crochet and knit afghans and prayer shawls! 

And one of our group has told us about another ministry that wants all kinds of 12 inch Granny Squares that they will put together into afghans for Charity!  So she will be spearheading that new adventure for us and we will be devoting next month to learning new Granny Squares. See why I just love those ladies!

Have also been a YouTube junkie.... learned many techniques for quilting and cooking and lately crocheting.  In my last post I told you all about Bella Coco and that started the Crochet binge!  So in that need to fuel my addiction - I have been watching Mikey at The Crochet Crowd  and of course, just had to join the 2015 Yarnspirations Mystery Afghan Crochet Along! Like I need to start one more darn project! And if you need just one more project - it is never too late to join the Crochet Along!!  

Signed up and got the requirements and went to the store.  My inspiration for the color choice was from the plate that sits on my kitchen desk.  Miss Susie loves to have her picture taken, so I had this from a few months ago..... 

Aren't the colors in the plate so pretty!  And yes, Miss Susie is very very very pretty.  Even with that look on her face :) 

  

So these are the colors... LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!  

Got the first clue, watched Mikey's tutorial and off to make 20 Granny Squares.... (yes more Grannies!)  

Only need to make three more and then will be ready for the next clue.....

Michael is such a patient and good little helper! 

Even my little furry family members have some crochet love!  

Grey to colorful.....

Super Bowl Sunday started out so grey.... We were fogged in for a few hours!

This was the view out my sewing room window.  

And this was what we found on our drive to church.

It is actually quite funny because my last post was all about living in the Southwest Desert and how I have been spending my whole life trying to get away.  It was almost like God was giving me a gift... a glorious, grey morning gift!  

Once church let out, the sun had finally burned all the fog off.... but it sure was magical while it lasted.  

I found a wonderful YouTube Channel called Bella Coco through a Facebook page called Starting Chain.  The tutorial was for Sunburst Granny Squares.  (I have found other patterns called Colorburst Granny Squares.)  

So I thought I would give it a try.....  

So pleased with the ease of her tutorial (and her lovely accent).  If you like YouTube, I highly recommend that you subscribe to her Channel!  

These could become so addicting in no time.  

So before the game started.....  went yarn shopping with my bestie...

During the game made a few squares....  

Colorful!  

Sarah at Bella Coco also has a great tutorial on how to join your granny squares.... I opted for the "Join as you go" method....  

Love it!  (I took this photo late last night so the poor lighting makes it seem like there are ridges on the seams.... but there really are not any ridges and it flat on both sides.)

So Super Bowl Sunday started out grey and ended very colorful.   

Yes, these are addicting!