Rhubarb Turnovers And Coffee

Join me, dear friends, for a cup of tea or coffee and the taste of summer.

The rhubarb has been freshly picked from the garden

and is waiting to tease our taste buds with its tart and sweet flavor.

What shall we have. . .

Rhubarb cobbler, rhubarb cake, or maybe some rhubarb crisp - no, I think not.

Lets indulge in some rhubarb turnovers.

Yes, that sounds delightful - turnovers that melt in your mouth.

The scent of cinnamon lingers in the air

and the sugar sprinkled atop the tasty treats is just waiting to sweeten our day.

I shall be having coffee this morning with plenty of cream and sugar.

What about you, my friend, what will you be having with your tempting rhubarb turnover?

And now back to those rhubarb delights - those pastry yummies just waiting for the first bite.

You're probably wondering how I made them so let me tell you. . .

Make haste to the kitchen to prepare your own scrumptious turnovers.

You won't be disappointed, my friend, 

I promise they are worth every stick of butter and every sprinkle of sugar :)

For the pastry recipe click here and it will take you to a post written long ago

when I was just a newbie blogger which you can tell by the photos :)

It will give you step-by-step instructions on how to make this amazing dough.

For the rhubarb filling you will need:

3 cups of rhubarb, cut into 1/4-inch slices

1 to 2 cups of granulated sugar (it all depends on how sweet you want your filling)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

water

In a medium saucepan, add cut the rhubarb and sugar; mix well.

Now add a little bit of water (I did not measure this) since the rhubarb needs a little moisture.

I probably added about 1/4 cup or so - just eyeball the consistency.

You don't want it to be too thin!

 Now add the cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, and vanilla; stir until combined.

Cook on a medium heat until rhubarb is tender and can be mashed.

Let cool and thicken before filling your turnovers.

The pastry recipe tells you how long you will need to bake these.

Also, if you don't like rhubarb and are unable to find it 

then a strawberry filling is just as tasty :)

Enjoy your turnovers, sweet friends.

They are delicious when warm and even when they are cold.

They are good to the very last crumb!

Thanks for joining me today, lovelies.

Have a glorious, joy-filled day!

HUGS!

Linking up with Liz at:

And JES at:

* * * * * * *

And one last thing - I wanted to share something exciting with you, friends.
You can join the Tyndale Rewards Program and can easily earn FREE BOOKS! 

Yes, I said free books :)

I joined the other day and in just a matter of minutes 

was able to earn enough points to get my first book for free.

It's very simple and by clicking on the picture below it will take you to the sign-up screen

where you can automatically earn 25 points.

Trust me, you will be glad you signed up, sweet friends!

Just click on the picture. . .

Blogland Tour

The lovely Kimberly from

Camp and Cottage Living

kindly invited me to join the Blogland tour a couple of weeks ago.

I was quite thrilled, honored, and a little nervous.

To begin with, Kimberly has a beautiful blog and it's always a joy to visit her place.

She lives in Canada and as most of you know I lived in Canada for several years

and have many family members still living there so we have a little something in common :)

Kimberly is very creative 

and I love that she can make an incredibly beautiful item with a small budget.

She also has a great eye for decorating.

Moving onto the questions. . .

What am I working on?

At the moment I am taking it easy in my craft room due to the lovely summer days

and have only two projects on the go.

A little while ago I came across some darling summery fabric at Hobby Lobby

as well as a simple and easy skirt pattern.

The pattern was only 0.99 cents - what a steal!

Besides the skirt, I am also working on "something" else which is 

made from some old quilted shams that my dear mom gave me.

The shams are torn in several places 

so I thought it would be perfect to cut out the pretty squares

and turn them into something usable and pretty.

I will be adding lace and maybe doilies for the finishing touches
and I will show you soon what the shams are created into :)

How does my work differ from others?

Hmmm. . . I honestly don't know how to answer this one

since "my work" is simply the work of my hands - doing what I love.

I find joy in creating something lovely out of the simple, ordinary things
such as this Styrofoam plate wreath. . .

or re-purposing an old item that's headed for the closet or trash

and turning it into a piece of beauty.

Vintage Frames

I love taking photographs of lace, tea cups, roses, and music.

I guess it's " just in me" to want to share beauty in a feminine, delicate way.

Baking desserts is something I also thoroughly enjoy.

I will tell you all something. . .I would much rather bake than cook a meal

which is probably why I don't often share dinner recipes.

I would gladly bake cakes, cookies, dessert bars, etc all day long :)

And I would gladly eat them all day long too! haha

I find great satisfaction in the beautiful, ordinary, and simple things of life.

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Why do I write/create what I do?

You know, this blog started out as a place where I could share my craft ideas.

When I started The Enchanting Rose I didn't know what I was getting into,

but as time passed my love and passion for vintage, roses, old hymns, baking, tea cups,

and sewing came out and flowed onto the pages of my blog.

I love to be positive about life - do I have bad days, yes!

But the bad days don't have to win 

because I am constantly surrounded by God's love and beauty

and this blog is an outlet where I can share that with others.

I have a motto which is from a quote I read a while ago,

Be Happy. Be Bright. Be YOU!

And that's my desire for this blog -  I want it to be a happy place, 

a place where God's love shines forth, 

a place of sweet loveliness,

a place of gentleness and charm.

How does my writing/creating process work?

To be quite honest, I don't have any rhyme or reason for the way my blog works :)

Sunday's I know will always be focused upon the Lord

and most often that is when I share old hymns with Scripture and poetry.

Sunday's are always a favorite of mine and I love digging up the history of old songs.

Other than that I don't really plan ahead for my posts.

I might be baking something and if it turns out than I'll snap pictures and share the recipe.

A lot of times I will spend quiet moments outside taking pictures of flowers

that will later be used for certain posts that come to my mind farther down the road.

When I'm working on a craft, many times I will start with an idea

and once I get into the whole process I end up changing the craft completely.

This happens about 85% of the time :)

I simply go along with the flow. . .

Well, those are the questions for the Blogland Tour.

I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed writing this post.

Thank you, Kimberly, for this wonderful and fun opportunity.

Once I started writing the post I found it to be not so daunting as I first thought it would be.

* * * * *

Now let me introduce you to two very sweet and dear ladies
that will also be joining the Blogland Tour . . .

Meet Libby from Artistic Expressions by Elisabeth.
She will be posting her Blog Tour on Wednesday, July 30th.

Hello!  

My name is Elisabeth, but since Kindergarten I've been known affectionately as "Libby".  
By profession I am a middle school teacher, 
but here in the blog world, I get to share my other passions.
Back in June of 2010 I became the official name behind Artistic Expressions by Elisabeth.  
I chose that name because I think it suits who I am as a person.
I love so many different creative outlets that I can't choose just one.  
My expressions may come in the form of crochet, photography, cooking, crafting, sewing, and knitting.  
Let's also throw in there that I change my hairstyles quite frequently - another expression!
One thing I love about this thing called the internet, 
is that I can be free to express my creative interests 
and to communicate with other like-minded people of all ages.  
And that I think is pretty cool!
Blog, Google+, Facebook

* * * * * * * *

Meet Linda from Lady Linda.

She will be posting her Blog Tour on Monday, August 4th.

"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." 

- Proverbs 16:24 - 

Welcome to my dream ~ my own little blog.

I now have a place to share the many blessings God has showered on me 

and a way to record my journey through life. 

My cozy home can be found in the beautiful Northwest. 

My husband and I have enjoyed 40 years of marriage along with two wonderful grown daughters. 

My baby is married to a great guy and they live in Seattle. 

My oldest is married a cool guy and he has a little daughter who we adore. 

They had a baby boy on July 25, 2013 and he is just the cutest little guy ever! 

Jim and I are enjoying our retirement! 

We are blessed with a busy and fun life. 

Oh, time for tea,a Tahsa Tudor book,quilting,gardening, friends or maybe a new craft! 

Don't forget a good Estate Sale looking for treasures for Jim's antique shows or my Etsy shoppe.

Live In Sunshine

This world is not a place for gloom, 

While sunshine lights the morning sky,

While blossoms store their sweet perfume,

For everyone who passes by.

This world is not a place for wrong,

While God's dear hand is over all;

Go meet your sorrow with a song,

And nothing evil shall befall.

This world is not a place for tears

While Jesus comforts those who weep;

Let hope and joy replace your fears-

His watchful care your ways will keep.

This world is not a place for sin,

For shame, or sorrow, or despair,

While Jesus' blood can make us clean,

While He will all our burdens bear.

Chorus

Then let not grief your heart beguile,

Meet every trouble with a smile;

Are any sad, go make them glad,

And live in sunshine all the while.

- Katharine A. Grimes -

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

"Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous:

and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."

- Psalm 32:11 -

Have a blessed Lord's Day filled with beautiful sunshine,  dear friends!

The 3 Winners Are. . .

Good morning to you, friends, and happy Saturday :)

Any plans for the day?

Well, whatever is on your schedule I hope it's a lovely day!

Today is the day to announce the winners,
would you like to know who won the 2 Year Blogiversary Giveaways?

In just a moment I'll let you know,

but first I would like to thank each and every one of you 

for the kind, beautiful comments on my giveaway post.

Each one of you blessed my heart with your sincerity - thank you!

It has been a delight having this blog for the last two years

and I can't say this enough, but it's because of YOU that this blog is in existence.

You are precious blogging friends 

and my heart if bursting with the joy that comes from knowing you.

I truly wish I could give something to every one of you, 

but unfortunately that is not possible.

I can, however, give all of you my gratitude and love :)

The quote on the picture below is how I feel about you - I am rich because of your friendship.

Okay, onto the winners. . .

Winner #1 is Wanda from Got a Minute or Two?

Winner #2 is JES from Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth

Winner #3 is Kathy from Kathy in Ozarks

Congratulations, sweet ladies!

Once again, thank you to everyone who joined in on the fun.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends!

Embroidery Hoop Money Holder

When it comes to giving money as a gift I like to do something unique

rather than fold it up and place it in a card.

So I made an embroidery hoop money holder for my niece's birthday.

And it's not just for holding money, 

it can be used for holding letters, pictures, or other things

so it has a duel purpose. . .plus it's cute to hang on the wall :)

To make one all you will need is:

wood embroidery hoop (I think mine was 6-inches in size)

scrap fabric

felt

lace trim

hot glue gun and glue

scissors

sewing machine

Lay the embroidery hoop onto the fabric

and trace a circle around it that is slightly bigger than the hoop.

Cut out the circle.

Cut out a pocket shape that is the size of half the circle.

Fold the top edge over and press with an iron.

Sew the fold down.

Place the trim on the top edge of the pocket and sew into place.

Place the pocket onto the cut out circle and sew only along the edges,

but do not sew the top down.

Place the circle between the embroidery hoop and pull tight.

Trim the edges.

Cut out a piece of felt that is the size of the embroidery hoop

and hot glue into place.

This will keep the fabric in place and will give you a nice finished look on the back.

I added a burlap flower to the pocket for extra cuteness.

Happy creating, my friends :)
Have a lovely day!

Cranberry Barbecue Chicken

This chicken has become a favorite of mine

and my hubby enjoys it as well which is saying a lot since he is not barbecue sauce fan :)

I think the cranberry sauce in the recipe tones down the barbecue flavor

and gives the whole dish a mild, sweet taste.

Ingredients:

1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces (I used chicken breasts)

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 (16 ounce) can whole cranberry sauce

1 cup barbecue sauce

* * * * *

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large skillet brown the chicken in butter.

Season with salt and pepper.

Remove from skillet and place in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

In the drippings (in the skillet), saute celery until tender.

Add cranberry sauce and barbecue sauce; mix well.

Pour cranberry mixture over chicken and bake for 90 minutes,

basting every 15 minutes.

ENJOY!

My sweet hubby and I enjoy this chicken on a bed of rice.

Mmmm... makes for a delicious meal!

Have a splendid day, friends :)

* * * * * * *

Don't miss out on the
2 YEAR BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAYS
Enter by Friday the 25th for a chance to win one of three gifts.

A Blog Tour At Camp & Cottage Living

Hello dearies!

Happy Monday to each and every one of you :)

I hope you had a delightful summer weekend!

I'm very excited to let you know that next Monday, July 28th,
I will be participating in a Blog Tour.

I look forward to sharing my post with you, dear friends.

Today the tour is at Kimberly's - she is a very kind-hearted lady with a lovely blog.

I would love for you, friends of mine, to stop by her place and take her tour.

Camp and Cottage Living

Have a beautiful day!

* * * * *

And don't forget about my 2 Year Blogiversary Giveaway.
You could be the blessed winner of one out of three gifts.
Click on the link below for complete details.
2 Year Blogiversary Giveaway

Face To Face

As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness:

I shall be satisfied when I awake with Thy likeness.

- Psalm 17:15

I MET THE MASTER FACE TO FACE

I had walked life's path with an easy tread

Had followed where comfort and pleasure led;

And then one day in a quiet place

I met the Master, face to face.

With station and rank and wealth for a goal

Much thought for the body, but none for the soul;

I had thought to win in life's mad race,

When I met the Master, face to face.

I had built my castles and reared them high,

Till their towers pierced the blue of the sky,

I had vowed to rule with an iron mace,

When I met the Master, face to face.

I met Him and knew Him, and blushed to see

That eyes full of sorrow were turned on me;

And I faltered, and fell at His feet that day,

While all my castles melted away.

Melted and vanished, and in their place

I saw nought else but my Master's face;

And I cried aloud: "Oh, make me meet

To follow the path of Thy wounded feet."

And now my thoughts are for the souls of men,

I've lost my life, to find it again.

E'er since that day in the quiet place

I met the Master, face to face.

- Unknown -

Some day, when fades the golden sun

Beneath the rosy-tinted west,

My blessed Lord will say, "Well done!"

And I shall enter into rest.

Chorus

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story - saved by grace;

And I shall see Him face to face, 

And tell the story - saved by grace.

- Fanny J. Crosby -

Have a blessed Lord's Day, lovelies!

* * * * *

Joining sweet JES at. . .

Captured By Love - Book Review

Michigan Territory, 1814

A voyageur and a young woman swept up in a time of upheaval and danger
discover firsthand the high price of freedom.

The British Army has taken control of Michilimackinac Island and its fort, 

forcing the Americans to swear an oath of loyalty to the crown in order to retain their land. 

Pierre Durant is a fur trader who returns after being away from the island for years, 

only to find the family farm a shambles and those he cares about starving 

and at the mercy of British invaders.

Torn between the adventurous life of fur trading and guilt over neglecting his defenseless mother, 

Pierre is drawn deeper into the fight against the British--

and into a relationship with Angelique MacKenzie, 

a childhood friend who's grown into a beautiful woman. 

She now finds herself trapped by the circumstances of war and poverty, 

and the cruelty of her guardian, Ebenezer Whiley.

As tensions mount and the violence rages on,

 Pierre and Angelique must decide where their loyalties rest and how much they'll risk for love.

My Thoughts

I first discovered Jody Hedlund when I was given a copy of her book 

The Preacher's Bride as a gift.

I instantly fell in love with the way she could weave together a beautiful story

and capture my attention with her courageous characters

so I was thrilled to read another book written by her.

Captured by Love met my expectations and did not disappoint.

I do have one "critical" thing to say, but I will get to that in a moment.

The story of Angelique and Pierre is so heart-warming and endearing 

that you cannot help but smile throughout the entire book.

Pierre left his family in a rage and said some hurtful things to the people he loved 

the day before he left the island which left them confused and in pain.

During the years Pierre is gone he finds Jesus Christ and accepts Him as his Savior

and now Pierre is ready to live for the Lord and start fresh with his family

so he returns to the island where his home was to ask for forgiveness,

but once he arrives he is sad to see much has changed during his absence.

Angelique is a very strong, courageous woman who instantly wins over your heart.

She is treated terribly and abused by her stepfather, but manages to keep her focus upon God,

seeking His strength and comfort.

When Pierre left the island, Angelique was just a young girl,

but now after five years have passed she has grown into a lovely young lady

and Pierre is in awe of the woman she has become.

Pierre left the island thinking of Angelique as a sister, 

but now there is not one sisterly thought towards her, 

just thoughts of a man falling in love. . .

Angelique has always admired and looked up to Pierre, but after he left she was heart-broken 

and was comforted by someone else very special to her. 

And now that Pierre has returned 

she is not free to give her love to the man she has always cared for.

Captured by Love is an enjoyable read 

and keeps you on your toes throughout the pages.

My one "critical" comment is. . .

I found many times the story revolved too much around the physical attraction

between Pierre and Angelique and there were moments when their time together

got a little "too heated."

** I was given a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for an honest review.

All thoughts are my own. No other compensation was received. **

About the Author
Jody Hedlund is the author of Rebellious Heart, Unending Devotion, The Doctor's Lady 
and The Preacher's Bride,winner of the 2011 Award of Excellence 
and a finalist for the 2011 Carol Award in First Novel. 
She received her BA from Taylor University and her MA from the University of Wisconsin, 
both in social work. 
Currently she makes her home in Midland, Michigan, 
with her husband and five busy children. 
She can be found online at www.jodyhedlund.com.

2 Year Blogiversary Giveaway

* * Giveaway Closed * *

Yesterday, July 16th, was officially the two year blogiversary for 

The Enchanting Rose.

I'm not sure if I can put into words the amount of joy and pleasure

I have had and continue to have with this blog.

I have learned that blogging is not just about "me" and my ideas,

but it's about YOU, all of you, dear friends.

Without you and your encouragement this blog would not be in existence.

Each and every one of you put a smile on my face

with your precious comments and sweet emails.

I have met so many incredible people and friends through blogging

and I cherish so many of you.

Your friendship, your support, your kindness, and your love

is what makes blogging a beautiful journey

and it's what makes me continue on.

I love blogging because of all of YOU :)

Thank you, my dear, sweet friends, for being there cheering this blog on.

Thank you for being honest and kind.

Thank you for being a blessed encouragement to me.

And thank you for not only supporting The Enchanting Rose, but for also supporting me.

Each and every one of you is a blessing, a gift, and a treasure.

I thank our Heavenly Father for allowing me to meet so many dear ladies.

And now lets have a giveaway. . .or two. . .or three. . .

since it is you that has helped this blog grow and blossom into what it is today :)

All you have to do is. . .

1. Be or become a follower of The Enchanting Rose

through email, GFC, Bloglovin', Facebook, etc.

2. Leave a comment below letting me know what you enjoy the most 

about The Enchanting Rose blog-
whether it's Sunday's posts, recipes, crafts, sewing projects, tea cup exchanges, etc.

** I have changed my comment setting 

so that those who follow by email can comment **

That's it!

Be a follower and leave a comment :)

You will have a chance at winning one of the three giveaways

and I'm sure you would like to know what you might win.

Lets take a look. . .

Winner # 1 will receive a handmade quilted tote bag,

a decorated vase, and a pretty embellished hand towel.

Winner #2 will received an embroidery hoop organizer that is perfect for holding light papers,

a decorated vase, and a lovely hanging pillow.

Winner #3 will receive a burlap table mat,

an embellished hand towel, and a sweet pin cushion made from a Mason jar.

This giveaway will end at midnight on July 25th

and I will announce the winners on Saturday, July 26th.

And this giveaway is open to everyone around the world :)

Remember all you have to do is be or become a follower of this blog

and leave me a comment telling me what you enjoy most about The Enchanting Rose.

You have my gratitude, dear friends.

Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do.

My love and hugs to you!