Guest Post - Anne From Stuff & Nonsense

 I'm honored that Stephanie asked me to guest post here at The Enchanting Rose. 
Let me introduce myself. 
My name is Anne Payne and I blog at Stuff & Nonsense.
I've been married 30 years to my soul mate, 
and I'm mom to four children and grandmother to three grandchildren. 
I'm an eclectic blogger taking photos of old barns, birds (especially my chickens), and flowers.
Living in the country, on top of a hill where there’s a cooling breeze, 
is where you’ll find me with camera in hand J

I’m by no means a professional; 
just a grieving mom who turned to photography after my oldest daughter passed away last year. Capturing nature and the world around me has been a healing balm to my soul. 
Remaining steadfast in my faith that God is good in all things, I seek to honor Him in all I do.

Daffodils have to be one of the most joyful flowers that the Lord created. 
They always bring a smile to my face 
and these beauties just cried out to have their picture taken in early spring. 
I was reminded that there is beauty all around me and each day is truly a gift!

The Lavender I planted turned out to be a perfect backdrop 
for this inspirational graphic inspired by the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness. 
It was written by Thomas Obadiah Chisholm and published in 1923. 
I marvel at the timeless truths that are embodied within this hymn 
and wonder if Thomas had any idea when he wrote it 
that it would still be such a powerful verse 90 years later.

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!“

  Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

    “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

As I contemplate the majesty of the Lord displayed in creation and conveyed in this hymn, 
I stop and soak in His presence. 
Singing these words penned so long ago brings me peace; 
He is strength for my weary and grief stricken soul. 
Each day I arise, His mercies are new. 
I worship Him, for He is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Lord!

Thank you for having me here today, Stephanie. 

Blessings to you and your readers for a lovely week!
Stuff & Nonsense

Guest Post - Marcia From Gathering At The Table

When gracious Stephanie invited me to write a guest post for The Enchanting Rose,  the first thought that came to my mind was honor.   Without hesitation, I thought of ways to interpret this special word.   Quietly, I listened. Closely, I searched.   Through God's Word...   through dictionaries...  

honesty fairness integrity in one's beliefs and actions D I S T I N C T I O N

and, of course, through creativity.

 

Tag is a handmade gift for one chosen guest/reader of The Enchanting Rose. 

 Infinite as the deepest ocean are the ways to share the love of God. 

 When we're mindful of how uniquely He creates us, 

we resist comparisons and limitations--we broaden our hearts--

and make room for the very thing that pleases Him most.

 

His children, loving and honoring one another.

   

 My name is Marcia, and I blog at Gathering at the Table. 

I am a wife, mother, sea lover, movie enthusiast, and tag maker. 

 I see blogging as an adventure 

and a great opportunity to share our gifts with neighbors throughout the world. 

 Thank you again, Stephanie. xoxo

Guest Post - Julie Marie From Idyllhours

Hello... my name is Julie Marie

and my sweet friend Stephanie has asked me to do a guest post

for her while she attends her beloved grandmother's memorial service.

Stephanie's grandmother passed away recently, 

and I know how very much she misses her… 

but I also know that her beautiful grandmother 

is always there with her...

close by… 

forever in her heart…  

just like my grandmothers are with me…  

Stephanie and I met just this past year on our blogs, 

mine "Idyllhours" and hers of course "The Enchanting Rose"… 

and it felt as if we had known each other forever… 

Isn't it amazing how that happens sometimes… 

we both share a love of our family, our faith in God, 

living each day to the fullest, 

Nature, gardening… crafting,  

and of course, Roses!... 

Stephanie is much more creative than I am 

and I love her posts about the beautiful treasures she creates… 

as well as her mouth~watering recipes!...  

I can't wait to try her recipe she posted recently for her rhubarb cobbler!... 

I also love to cook, and try to grow as many of my own vegetables 

and berries and herbs as I can…

I also love shopping our local Farmers Market 

which goes from June through October…  

so much fun!...

I just celebrated my 36th anniversary with Jack, the love of my life… 

and my other love is our precious little stray we rescued two years ago, "Princess Tessy"…  lost and abandoned by previous owners, 

she truly was a gift from God that day… sent by angels I am certain…  

now sharing her love with us in her forever home…  

she is my constant companion, my confidante…  

my best friend… 

I love the out of doors, and take daily Nature walks…  

I am blessed to live in a little Mayberry kind of town 

where the surrounding countryside is beautiful… 

folks are friendly… and life is good… 

Now, you know a little bit about me… 

I would love for you stop in at Idyllhours for a visit 

and tell me all about you!...  

Thank you Stephanie, for allowing me to be your guest… 

xoxo…  Julie Marie

Julie Marie at Idyllhours

Time Away

Hello lovelies!

The sun is shining and the sky is blue ... what a beautiful day :)

I hope your day is off to a good start.

I will be away for a week starting tomorrow.

My Grandmother's memorial service is this Saturday so off I go to Canada.

It will be a bittersweet time - 

grieving the loss of a precious woman whom I love with all my heart. 

But it will also be wonderful to see my family members.

I have several guest bloggers helping with my blog while I am away

and I hope you enjoy their posts.

Each lady is a joy and a kind friend to me
and I hope they bless your hearts.

Love and hugs to you!

See you when I get back :)

Red, White, and Blue Tea Time

Hello, my friends!

Won't you join me today for a patriotic tea?

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for pilgrim feet, whose stern, impassioned stress

A thorough fare for freedom beat across the wilderness!

America! America! God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life!

America! America! May God thy gold refine,

Till all success be nobleness, and every gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream that sees, beyond the years,

Thine alabaster cities gleam - undimmed by human tears!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

~ Katharine Lee Bates ~

"Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty,

To Thee we sing: Long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light;

Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King!"

~ My Country, 'Tis of Thee - Samuel Francis Smith ~

I hope you had a lovely visit;

it's always a blessing and joy to have you stop by :)

About the table decor....

I made the stars with a paper punch and then hot glued them onto wooden skewers.

The red and blue jars are filled with Spanish moss to hold the skewers in place

and I hot glued some lace around the top for a pretty finished look.

The red, white, and blue fabric "bouquet" 

is made out of jeans cut into strips and tied onto wooden skewers.

Easy ideas for decorating the table for the 4th of July.

Have a wonderful day!

Linking up with:
Tea Time Tuesday
Tuesday Cuppa Tea
A Return To Loveliness

Jesus, Our Blessed Redeemer

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Sing, O earth - His wonderful love proclaim!

Hail Him! hail Him! highest arch-angels in glory, 

Strength and honor give to His holy name!

Like a shepherd Jesus will guard His children - 

In His arms He carries them all day long.

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer!

For our sins He suffered and bled and died;

He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,

Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.

Sound His praises - Jesus who bore our sorrows -

Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer!

Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring!

Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever,

Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King.

Christ is coming, over the world victorious -

Pow'r and glory unto the Lord belong.

Chorus

Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness!

Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song!

~ Fanny Crosby ~

Have a blessed Lord's Day, sweet friends!

4th Of July Wreath Makeover

Can you believe we are coming to the end of June?

I don't know about you, but it seems like I was just pulling out my warm clothes for the winter

and now it's already summertime.

Speaking of winter,

remember this Christmas wreath I made out of wrapping paper?

Well, it's still in great shape so I decided to give it a little makeover for the 4th of July.

Click on the link below and it will tell you how to make your own wreath.

Wrapping Paper Wreath

For the extra patriotic look I used a star paper punch.

Then I sewed the stars together on my sewing machine to create a star banner.

I used blue thread on the red just to make it more patriotic.

Tape the ends of the star banner on the back of the wreath.

That's it, you now have a delightful wreath for the 4th of July.

The good ol' red, white and blue :)

Have a great day!

 

Linking up with:

Bouquet of Talent

The Outcast - Book Review

Good morning, dear friends!

Need a good book to read, one that will hold you in complete captivation? 

The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim will not disappoint 

and will have you eagerly reading in anticipation for the unfolding tale of each character.

About The Outcast

Rachel Sotlzfus is a young mother from an Old Order Mennonite community. 

She is unmarried and refuses to name the man who fathered her child. 

The community begins to shun Rachel leaving her alone, angry, and hurt. 

Eventually her brother-in-law, Tobias King, who is also the bishop 

threatens to reveal Rachel’s dark secret if she does not leave

so she is forced to walk away from the community and those she loves.

But Rachel is not the only one hiding secrets, the bishop has a few of his own 

and they are eating away at his conscience and his very soul. 

Judah King, Tobias’ brother, knows he is hiding something when he says, 

“Bishops aren't supposed to lie, Tobias, 

and this is the third lie you’ve told in the past five minutes...

Then again, I guess it’s fitting: you should be allowed to tell as many lies as you want, 

considering your life itself is one.”

Now the life of Rachel’s son is at stake and choices must be made 

that will bring the darkness to light and nothing will be the same.

My thoughts

This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat with intrigue.

I couldn't turn the pages quick enough to read the secretive stories

of The Outcast characters.

From the first page of this book I was caught up in the world of Rachel, 

a young mother carrying a dark secret in her heart so that she can protect the ones she loves,

and Tobias, a man caught up in self-righteousness, anger, and soul-eating bitterness.

As I moved along in the book I could almost feel the emotions emanating from the characters:

sorrow, bitterness, forgiveness, hope, love. 

Many times my heart ached for Rachel and the trials she was facing 

and there were times I wished I could shake some sense and compassion into Tobias.

The book had many twists and turns that were very unsuspecting. 

When I thought I was figuring out the direction of the story, 

another interesting detail was brought into the picture 

leaving me hungry for the grand finale of the book.

The Outcast will leave you with feelings of hope in the power of forgiveness

as you take this healing journey with Rachel and the other characters of the book;

it's never too late for a second chance.

About the Author

Jolina Petersheim holds degrees in English and communication arts

from the University of the Cumberlands.

Though The Outcast is her first novel, her writing has been featured in venues 

as varied as radio programs, nonfiction books, and numerous online and print publications.

Her blog is syndicated with the Tennessean's "On Nashville" blog roll,

as well as being featured on other creative-writing sites.

Jolina and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage

that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania,

but now live in the mountains of Tennessee with their young daughter.

Follow Jolina and her blog at www.jolinapetersheim.com

** I was provided a copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers

in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received. **

Patriotic Flower

Good morning, friends!
I trust your weekend went well :)
The 4th of July is coming up quickly so here is a fun project to make for your home.

My home doesn't usually have a lot of Patriotic decor,

but I do like to add a few red, white, and blue touches here and there

so I made this flower to have out in my kitchen.

It's rather simple to make, but has a nice eye-catching look.

Items needed:

red, white, blue fabric

button

scissors

sewing machine (or you can sew by hand)
9 inch embroidery hoop

fabric glue

Cut out circles with the red, white, and blue fabric that are 2.5 inches in size.

Measure the fabric to fit the embroidery hoop

and cut around the edges.

Then trace a smaller circle onto the fabric with sewing chalk or a marker.

If you look closely you will see a black circle smaller than the hoop.

Take the fabric out of the hoop

and begin sewing the circles on.

Fold the bottom of the circle in and then out on each side.

Sew over the folds

and follow the circle that you traced onto your fabric.

This is how the first row will look.

(Use color coordinating thread -
I used a dark color so that you could see it in the photos).

The second row does not have to be super close to the previous row

as you can see in the photo.

Once you have completed three rows you can add two circles with fabric glue

and a yo-yo flower with a button for the finished look.

To make the yo-yo flower you need a small circular piece of fabric.

Fold the edge in and sew a gather stitch along the top.

Gather the circle and tie a knot.

All done! :)

Have fun and enjoy your day!

Linking up with:
Take-A-Look-Tuesday, Bouquet of Talent