Lorraine D. Hebler

wise men

By Lorraine

We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him


When going through John’s Aunt Marie’s home after her passing, I found this embroidery. I had made for her for Christmas when we were early married and she kept if all of these years. I had long forgotten about it and was so pleased to see it again. It was a 1976 Paragon kit called The Three Kings, etchings in filo on linen. 
(The term filo is the Italian word for floss or thread, similar to the Spanish hilo)
Does anyone recognize it from years ago?

Ever wonder who these wise men were, where they came from and if there were really three of them? Over time, many beliefs with little to no Biblical basis have crept into common Christian thinking.

Some Misconceptions about the Wise Men written by Tim Chaffey gives insight to these historical characters.

The book of Matthew contains the account of the wise men:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1–2) The original meaning of mάgoi is likely in view here—wise men who interpreted special signs. There are at least three reasons for this identification. First, they acknowledged that they were interested in signs in the heavens. Second, the Bible states that they were from “the East,” which would be in the direction of Babylon and ancient Persia. Third, of all the peoples of “the East,” the Babylonians had many opportunities to learn of the Jewish Scriptures, which contain multiple promises of the coming Messiah. Daniel was an influential government official in Babylon about 600 years earlier, and he foretold the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 9:24–26). Also, tens of thousands of Jews lived in Babylon during the time of the Exile (605–536 BC), and they maintained a large presence there for the following centuries. (source)
Curious how they learned of Jesus, when and where they saw him, click Answers in genesis 

“We Three Kings”, also known as “We Three Kings of Orient Are” or “The Quest of the Magi”, is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr., in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. It remains one of the most popular and most frequently sung Christmas carols today (Wikipedia)

We Three Kings
John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1857
We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Refrain
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
Refrain
Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.
Refrain
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Refrain
Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Peals through the earth and skies.

Wooden Beer Tote

By Lorraine

 Home beer brewing is becoming popular and our daughter’s boyfriend enjoys making craft beer in his home. So we thought a crafted wooden tote would make a great gift.

We found a terrific how-to and followed the plans closely.

Ours is made of oak.  I purchased the vinyl initial on etsy and the vintage looking bottle opener on ebay.
Here is a link to The New Hobbyist post for detailed instructions

Crochet Gift Ideas

By Lorraine

Inspiration and patterns for quick, easy and fun crochet projects for holiday gift-giving. Are you making any gifts this Christmas  holiday season? There are just too many adorable projects abounding all over the web that I have more than I can accomplish on my to-do list!  I’ll share as I complete them but, for now I have some past projects and crochet  gift ideas that might inspire you!Continue Reading

Pretty Jell-O Strawberry  Parfait

By Lorraine

 
Festive and pretty Christmas Jello Dessert is light and yet satisfying while saving calories especially during the holidays when rich foods abound.
Doesn’t this dessert look so festive! Made with just three ingredients, and if your use sugar-free Jell-O and light whipped topping, it won’t do any harm to your waistline. I posted Pretty Jell-O Strawberry  Parfait a long time ago but sharing again because it is such a great treat when we are tempted by so many high-octane desserts at this time of year.Continue Reading

Banana Oat Bars and Winter Days

By Lorraine

I take lots of photos.  I keep the best and organize them into various file folders for easy retrieval should I want to find something in the future.  The others I delete.  Usually I keep up, but inevitably fall behind in this task each fall when I get extra busy with projects.
That’s what I have been working on these crazy weather days.  After the new year we had an eight-inch snowstorm.  A few days ago there were -30 wind-chills. Then is warmed up and all the snow melted. This morning is was freezing, icy rain that caused accidents everywhere and even a salt truck overturning.  Tomorrow it is going up to 60 degrees F.  
Like the random weather, I am sharing unrelated photos and throwing in a recipe that I spontaneously made when I saw the recipe posted on facebook.

 This adorable photo is of our youngest grandchild, Jethro.  His mama took the picture and I couldn’t resist sharing.  I didn’t make the hat – it was in a hand-me-down container of clothes he received.

 Icy precipitation covered these lilac branches yesterday.
So I didn’t expect to see this robin land on a branch as icy raindrops fell.  
Almost through a cord of wood already as we stay warm in frigid temperatures.  For the first time I had frost on the inside of my windows.  Noah and Silas bundled up and braved the chill long enough to build a dapper snowman
 Cambrie asked if she could make her favorite Silly faces as I snapped photos.
Our oldest grandson was nominated for Student of the month and his mom received a certificate for National Criminal Justice Honor Society from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia

We worked very hard liquidating Aunt Marie’s sweet little Sears Kit house bungalow and readied to sell.
A fun selfie pic of John and I enjoying a stay-at-home date-night of wine and pizza while we watched the old movie classic, Roman Holiday
My sister and I at her daughters birthday party
My favorite pup
 I couldn’t share this patchwork quilt prior to Christmas because it was a surprise for our daughter, Jill who is providing foster care for a dear baby boy.  With the extra fabric I made the soft cube toy for him as well.
I didn’t know this photo was taken until I saw it on our churches website.  Baby Jethro in the glow of candlelight as we sang Silent Night on Christmas Eve. Abbey is in the foreground with Caleb, Chloe and Jamie in the background.
 And finally, no sooner did I see a recipe on my facebook feed, I went straightway to the kitchen and gave this Banana Oat Bar a try.  It caught my attention because it was suggested as an alternative to wrongful cravings (which I was having).  The original recipe contains no sugar, butter or eggs and since I had ripe bananas on the counter, I whipped it together and popped it into the toaster oven in little time.
The recipe wasn’t detailed so I wasn’t sure if it would bake up like a bar or be more like baked oatmeal.  I sprayed the dish prior to spreading the mixture and was happy that it came out easily and cut neatly. 
I can’t say that my sweet tooth didn’t think of spreading the bars with peanut butter and (heaven forbid) pipe some melted chocolate on top but I subdued that impulse and found them to taste, well, healthy.  They had a pleasant banana flavor, hint of sweetness from the raisins and a soft, chewy texture.  I got 12 4-inch x 1-inch bars and with my substitutions, I figured each to be about 70 calories.  A good, healthy alternative to curb a snack attack. If calories aren’t a concern, stirring in some mini chocolate chips and/or nuts would be a nice addition.
Banana Oat Bars
PRINT RECIPE
3 ripe bananas, mashed (I used 1 cup)
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (I used 1/2 cup since I didn’t have 3 bananas)
2 cups oats
1/4 cup almond milk (I used 2% milk)
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
optional (I added 1 Tbs Splenda)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
lightly spray an 8-inch square dish
In mixing bowl, Stir together all of the ingredients until well combined.  Pour into prepared dish and spread evenly.  Bake about 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Cut into bars.
Yield: 12 1-inch x 4-inch bars

Double Birthday Party Dinner

By Lorraine

Wrapping up a whirlwind Christmas holiday with our extended family last night was the perfect ending to Jill and Brad’s visit.
Since many of our family members don’t get to see them very often and since two really awesome guys are having birthdays, we got together to celebrate.

Happy Birthday Joe (our nephew) and Brad (our son-in-law)!

These two little girls became instant best friends forever.
Does anyone know the genealogical relationship between children that share the same great-grandparents (their grandparents are sisters) ?
Cambrie is my grandchild and Olivia is my sisters grandchild ~ I think that makes them second cousins?

Our handsome, Joe married to … 

 our niece, Toni (with her cousin, Jamie’s baby Jethro) (1st cousin once removed?)

my sister, Carol, Toni, totally enjoying baby Jet and my niece, Eva 

 my brother, Frank and our son-in-law, Brad

 my sister-in-law, Arlene and our daughter Jill

 Carol, me, Carol’s daughter Chris and Chris’ daughter Alexis

Sweet Chloe
Abbey with her boyfriend, Ryan, a very nice mutual friend and our grandson, Jared

 Little one enjoying a movie in Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop’s room

Many years ago, our sister-in-law began a tradition of snapping Christmas photos of my brother (her husband) my sister and I.

 They have become cherished memories for each of us.

shivering kiddos giving their good-byes before cousins head home to upstate NY
~ regretfully, I did not get photos with Jamie, Josh, John, or niece Caitee ~

{happy sigh}… next comes January. A welcome time for me after the (enjoyable) hustle and bustle.
I love the newness of January and the whiteness of snow (hopefully) and a time to refresh.
Wishing you all the best in the New Year!

Lotion, Soap & Crochet Washcloth Gift collection

By Lorraine

A bath & body package for a little pampering makes a sweet gift for the girls on your gift-giving list.

I made hand lotion a few years ago for my mom and I, and we both liked it.
I just made some more using an updated recipe found on a great blog called A Sonoma Garden that includes a preservative. When I made the lotion the first time, I did not add the preservative.  We had no problem with it spoiling but since I am giving these a gifts, I though it best to include the preservative. 
I packaged the hand lotion with crochet cotton wash cloths and an Oatmeal Silk soap made with my daughter, Abbey and her boyfriend. I am so excited about learning to make soap and will post soon what we did. Ryan is a biochemical engineer and he is always teaching me all kinds of things about chemicals and metals and what they do and how to make stuff!
~*~
I have made washcloths from many different patterns but ever since my bloggy friend, Lynn, from Happier Than a Pig in Mud shared her pattern, it is the only one I use. She always has such great ideas on her blog.  You need to go visit her!
I followed the instructions on a Sonoma Garden and purchased the ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs.com as she suggested. I added Sweet Orange Organic Essential Oil for fragrance. Ingredients can also be purchased through the Amazon links below.
Sweet Orange Homemade Hand Lotion
source: A Sonoma Garden
In a four-cup measuring cup (a smaller one would work), I added 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/4-cup emulsifying wax.
Heat in microwave on high until melted, about 45 seconds.
Add 24-36 drops essential oil (I added 36 drops and thought the fragrance not as full as I would like)
In another microwave-safe cup, heat 1 1/4-cup water (I used bottled water) for 45 seconds. Stir in 1/4-tsp. Potassium Sorbate.
Pour the water mixture into the oil mixture and stir. The mixture will turn a creamy white.
Pour into clean jars and allow to cool.  I don’t know if it matters, but I began by putting the jars and lids in a boiling water bath just to be sure they were very clean.
The lotion will thicken when cooled.
Simple labels or tags can be made and printed for the jars of lotion.
A Sonoma Garden shares free printable labels

Lynn’s One-sie Two-sie Dishcloth/Washcloth

Using an I hook and 100% cotton yarn ( I use a H hook)

Ch 27
SC first row, ch 1, turn
*SC first hole, DC next hole, repeat from *, Ch 1, turn
When just about square, SC last row.

If all goes well, (just love Lynn’s optimistic comments ~ she knows real life I tell ya!)  every row except the first and last will begin with a single crochet and end with a double crochet.

~Pampering Packaged ready for gift-giving~


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NOEL

By Lorraine

I have been wanting to make one of these NOEL letter decorations since I saw them popping up on the web last year.  So, I changed up my mantle for Christmas this year for a new, lighter look.
 The ‘N‘ is made from three wooden paint stirrers painted grey with wisps of white and then hot glued together.
The ‘O‘ is a 12-inch vine wreath embellished with a little greenery, pine cones and a bow.
The ‘E‘ was purchased from the craft store and left just as I bought it.
The ‘L‘ was made using a piece of molding that was once on the wall. We cut it into two pieces, sanded and then glued and stapled it together.
It’s so pretty at night with the white lights casually placed across the mantle.
Don’t you just love the ambiance of Christmas!

Holiday Cookie Collection

By Lorraine

I am starting my holiday baking in a day or two and many of these family favorites will be included.
Some, like the pizzelles have been a tradition since our children were little.  Others, like the sables and chocolate covered peanut butter crackers are newer additions.
All are festive and yummy!
7 Sables ~ French Shortbread Butter Cookie

Recycled Cashmere Sweater Christmas Stocking & Gift Bags

By Lorraine

Recycled, cashmere sweater Christmas, reusable gift bags are useful and so pretty. Easy instructions to make using thrift store knitted sweaters. I found a sweater in a hand-me-down bag of clothes that was looking less than lovely. It had some pilling, I still couldn’t toss it away. Much of the beautiful cashmere was still in great condition and so soft and luxurious. With a little cutting and sewing I made recycled, cashmere sweater Christmas stocking and gift bags from it. The stocking is decorative and the gift bags are useful, so pretty and can be used over and over.

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