Have you ever heard of a cotton clothesline basket? A friend of mine, Lee gifted me with this lovely cotton basket! I was thrilled and couldn’t imagine how to make such a thing. I was very happy when Lee agreed to teach me how! She’s pretty nice like that and I am not the first pupil she has had.
Basketmaking Lessons
On Monday Lee invited me to lunch at her house. It is always a treat to spend time with her and this was no exception. Her husband has built her a sweet little bright room just off from her kitchen. A sweet little sign hangs in this bright cheery room. “She Shed”. We enjoyed our lunch there. Her house is set in trees and has a beautiful canopy all around. It was a lovely and peaceful setting.
Finding Cotton Clothesline
She told me to bring a bundle of cotton clothesline. This proved harder than I imagined. The polyester clothesline is more readily available in my community than the cotton. I found two places at last. Our local Kroger’s has it on the automotive aisle! Home Depot also carries it in our Antioch, Tn store on aisle 12.
Making the Basket
I was very slow at first well actually the whole time. The process was easy to understand. There were some thread problems and a few missed spots along the way. But I got the hang of it and I think maybe I will be a little bit faster and a little better at it next time.
I wanted to attempt to make an all-cotton one and see if it might work as a proofing basket for my sourdough bread. Soon I shall know the answer if I can bear to use it for my bread.
I love the natural look of the rope. My project turned out great! I can’t wait to make another one.
Here is a picture of my finished project. Let me know what you think!
Being responsible and making decisions is hard work! Sometimes it is just easier to let someone else tell you what to do. Sometimes we ignore the fact that we at some point must make our own decisions.
It’s also easier to place blame on others when we make bad choices. This can apply to many areas of your life. When you make a decision and it doesn’t go well own up to the consequences of your choice. What good will it do to blame someone else for the troubles in your life anyway? At some point, you have to accept responsibility for your life. Make the next right choice. It’s on you!
High School
When I was 14 or 15 years old our guidance counselor talked with our class about making decisions about what we wanted to study. We had to choose whether we were going to do college prep or general studies. She probably didn’t hold out much hope for me as a future college student. I was a troubled teen, I was just an ok student, and no one in my family had ever graduated from college.
But a decision had to be made. I evaluated a few things and calculated the schedules and figured out that I could get out of high school one year early! I decided to do the college prep in 3 years and I did it! This was not because I was a great student or loved school but because I wanted out! This single decision gave me my path for the next three years.
College
Do I go to college or not? You have probably heard that story before! I explored the options. I wasn’t a great student so there were some limitations. In a strange twist of events and mail delays, my acceptance to my top choice school arrived the day after I chose another school. My choice proved perfect!
Work
Maybe you are one of those people who always knew what you wanted to do. My ideas changed a lot throughout my childhood years. I wanted to be the President of the United States, a mom, a teacher, a writer, etc. According to Career Statistics, you will likely change jobs 5-7 times during your working years. So you have the opportunity to explore any number of jobs.
Make a Pros and Cons list
Marriage
To marry or not? Who to marry? Now that is a big decision to make. Only you can truly decide. Do you have a list of qualities this “perfect man” would possess? How about evaluating what kind of person you should be to be compatible with this “perfect soul” you are going to marry? Hard life decisions are best made with your eyes open and the facts on the table.
Children
Will you have children? Childbirth or adoption? Is it easy to make decisions? No! What kind of birth? Will your baby be born at home, birth center, or the hospital?
Stay at home mom or working mom?
As a mom, one of the hardest choices you will have to make is whether to be a stay at home mom or a working mom. My husband and I discussed this before we got married and by doing so we avoided a lot of stress.
You will always have to make choices.
There are so many choices and decisions you have to make every day. This will not stop until the day you die. I’ve made some good decisions and some bad decisions in my life and do NOT consider myself an expert! However, I would like to share some suggestions that have helped me.
Suggestions
Having a guide has made all the difference in my life. I strive to build my life on Christian principles, on the Bible. So I already know that I am not going to steal, cheat, kill, etc. This keeps things simple.
Read more books! They give you so many perspectives on life! Study the pros and cons of different choices.
Study people, especially yourself. Be emotionally wise.
Spend time with people who have unique qualities that you would like to have or you would like for your children to emulate. Pay attention to character. Surround yourself with good people.
Find a mentor.
There are so many other things to be said about being responsible and making decisions, but that’s it for today! Thank you for making the choice to read my blog today! I appreciate that!
Learning new skills or perfecting old ones? Either is rewarding. I have shared I have been learning some new skills during the pandemic. Pickled eggs, a sourdough starter from scratch, homemade yogurt, and now I have been working on my sewing skills.
My mom did her best to teach me and my sister how to sew.
My mom was a good seamstress and made most of my clothes. She taught me so many things. She did her best to teach me and my sister how to sew. We joined 4-H and entered our sewing projects each year after much toiling and seam ripping and maybe a few tears. Our dresses usually won an award of some kind. I am a bit stubborn and I am sure I was not a great pupil. Sometimes I didn’t have a lot of interest and my mom would ask who was going to make my clothes when I grew up. I would reply she was. I sure wish I had learned more during those lessons!
Anyway, as you may have guessed by now I am not a great seamstress. I can sew a little. I like to sew but I do end up in frustration at times lacking the necessary skills to make something look really nice.
Small bags African Print
My friend Ida Mae is a creative genius! She makes the most amazing creations. Anyway, I have been wanting to make little bags to share with supporters of the Malawi mission work. Ida Mae gave me a quick lesson one afternoon and I have been making some cute bags. Thank you, Ida Mae!
Sewing
Ten years ago I bought an adorable pattern online from Samantha Caffee, The Handmade Dress. It was a peasant dress for sizes 5-10. You guessed it, I never used it until now! How sad! I love this cute little dress and my little girl grew up!
I wanted to make it for my granddaughter but it is too big for one and too small for the other. I’m sure I will find someone to give it to or take it as a gift to Malawi. Now I know how to do the sizes so I learned something else through this experience.
Learning new skills or perfecting old ones. Either way, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment.
Hospitality can change the world yours and mine. What is hospitality? Webster’s Dictionary definition is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.
Acts 16:15 says, “Come to my house and stay.”
When you hear the words, “come to my house”, how does that make you feel? Kathy McWhorter Kendall in her book A Chosen Few, asks the question. Appreciated? Honored? I think one of the keys to being more hospitable is understanding how it makes you feel but turning it around and focusing on the other person and how they feel.
People want to know that you are interested in them. I crave connection. Judging from my experience I am not alone. The people I meet on my doorstep passing by or buying things at the market prove this to be so. I’ve had hugs in the grocery store and people exchange phone numbers too.
Earl Lavender spoke at Smyrna Church of Christ a couple of years ago. Brother Lavender gave several examples of hospitality. He shared the impact it had on people’s lives. And he said, “Hospitality can change the world.” You know what? I happen to agree. Hospitality can change the world yours and mine!
Romans 12:13 says “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
The scriptures show many examples of hospitality. Yes, it was a very necessary part of travel during Biblical times when motels and guesthouses were in short supply. However, we see repeated examples in the scriptures of churches meeting in homes and mealtimes being shared. The early Christians met in homes daily. What an amazing way to share the Christian faith.
Life is meant to be shared. God said so in Genesis 2:18: The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. ‘ And God is always right. God also put us in the body of Christ, the Church for a reason. We need each other.
This week I witnessed a beautiful display of the body of Christ in action. A friend from church was moving from Tennessee to Florida and had asked for a bit of help loading the truck. We arrived a few minutes late because of a huge downpour and there were hardly any parking spots left!
1 Peter 4:9 says, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
I want to share a few excuses people give for not practicing hospitality. Time is probably the first, big enough house, clean enough house, not a good hostess or cook, or not enough money. I will admit relationships take time. Hospitality will not always be convenient.
You can spend time with others without spending much money. Tea time is cheap. A glass of ice water or tea and a nice visit can fill the heart with encouragement.
Some of the most hospitable and loving people I know are not great housekeepers. That’s ok. They are great at loving people to Jesus.
Do you have enough time to eat? Learn to practice hospitality around your daily rituals and that will make it easier. We all have to eat. They will remember how you made them feel not necessarily what you cooked. I used to spend all day cooking for dinner guests. This is unnecessary. A simple casserole or pot of soup will be sufficient.
I try to include people in my regular activities. Sit and visit with a friend while the kids play in the yard or while you fold laundry. Visit with them in the kitchen while you bake, cook dinner, or do the dishes together. Canning or prepping food for freezer cooking can become a great time to chat and enjoy the everyday things of life together.
Maybe you don’t have much time at home. Do you work two jobs? Maybe you could invite someone to eat some Chick-fil-A during your lunch break. How about telling them to come for a simple Crock-Pot supper? Maybe you can give someone a friendly call using Bluetooth on your commute from work. I am sure you can come up with some great opportunities when you start looking!
Practicing hospitality at church meetings.
How can you practice hospitality at church? Make a point to greet visitors or someone you have not met. Just say hi! Wave and smile at people. Ask someone to sit with you. Invite someone home for lunch after church even if it is just for sandwiches. Or to share a meal at a restaurant. Remember people’s names. You don’t have to be an extrovert to be hospitable.
Recently, I shared my experience from years ago of visiting a large Texas church with my 7 children in tow. They were wearing their cute matching shirts and looking adorable if I do say so myself. That day, not a soul spoke to us! Someone did hand us a bulletin coming in the door. During the meet and greet time I went and introduced myself to the closest person to me. I’m not the only one. Many have experienced this sort of thing. Don’t let this happen to visitors or members at your church.
My friend Donna has a strong opinion about this, if someone walks into your church building they need a greeting. They may be a traveling Christian – they are family, welcome them! They may be a seeker looking for spiritual guidance or connection, they certainly need a greeting! There is no excuse to leave strangers standing alone without a friendly welcome!
Enjoy hospitality.
Be relaxed. Keep things simple. Plan for a simple activity like a simple board game, or just chat while the kids play, include people in your family devotional or a sing-along. Make your home a comfortable place to visit. A haven from the world for friends and family.
Some of my greatest memories are from spending time in other’s homes and having others spend time in our home. Conversations around the table. Memories of our home filled with laughter, food, and music flood my mind. What a beautiful life.
Hospitality can change the world yours and mine.
You can find an article here on sharing hospitality during a pandemic.
