Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Brrrrrr.

We're heading into the deep freeze this week. I'm told on Friday it will really hit and we'll stay there awhile. Doesn't matter much too me. I've been inside with a head cold since last Friday. I've spent a ridiculous amount of time on my iPad on a coloring app. It's mindless and relaxing and sometimes that's all that my stuffed up head can deal with. :-) I should be cleaning. Or crocheting. Or knitting. But I'm not.

I did finish the Christmas stocking for the new baby. It does still need to be blocked. Once she's born, I'll put her name in the red space on top like I did for Alex, "T" and "J". I enjoy the color work but it's not super relaxing for me. I admire those of you whose blogs I read that do a lot of it. I have definitely come to realize that I'm a production knitter/crocheter, not a process one. I like to get a lot done so I can donate it to those in need. It takes me a lot longer to do color work. I'm trying to force myself to slow down and enjoy the making of things though and not just rush through them.

I'm working on a "Grace" baby blanket right now. I really like this pattern. Each row changes and keeps interest going. I'm using Lion Brand Mandala Baby in the "Dragon Alley" color way and an "H" crochet hook. 
I'm planning to make an afghan for the back of the sofa that I saw on a you tube video last week. It's called the "Christmas Blanket" but I'm not really sure why. It's done in an off white/cream for the main color and small bursts of brown, dark green, and burgundy. Although it could be for Christmas, it looks more like cottage colors to me and would be appropriate year round. I hope to start working on it soon.

Good golly the world has gone completely crazy lately hasn't it? I'm appalled by so much that I'm seeing on the news and reading and seeing in other places. I'm SO glad that I have the Lord of all creation watching over me. No matter how dark it gets, He will be standing right beside me. You can also have that certainly if you don't already know Him. He's just waiting for you to turn to Him in faith. 

I'm praying in particular for the Christians in Nigeria who are being killed by the hundreds, but yet it doesn't seem to be important enough to make the news. I'm also praying for the Iranian people who are closer to ridding themselves of the evil regime that his been dictating their lives since 1979. I can't imagine how brave they are being right now. So many people needing our love and support. I can't help but think the return of our Saviour is closer than we could have ever thought. 

I'll be back soon my friends. Stay warm and toasty unless you're down under, in that case, enjoy your summertime!
Blessings and love,
Betsy


Are You Washed in the Blood?
by: Elisha A. Hoffman

Verse 1

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow'r? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Chorus

Are you washed in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Verse 2

Are you walking daily by the Savior's side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Do you rest each moment in the Crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Chorus

Are you washed in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Verse 3

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Chorus

Are you washed in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Verse 4

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb; There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Chorus

Are you washed in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?









20 comments:

  1. With a thankful heart, I am washed in the Blood of Christ. When you're not feeling well laying around just doing mindless and relaxing activities . . . it's okay!! All those other things will surely be waiting for you to feel better :)) We also have some COLD/ICY weather coming our way this weekend. Brrrr, time to stay in and stay warm. Hope you feel better soon.

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  2. Yes, so very thankful to know that I am "washed in the Blood of the Lamb". I know that I am ready to go when we hear that trumpet sound! I do believe we are getting much closer as each day goes by. There is so much happening in the world right now that sounds like it is leading up to something very big. Praying for our country and our world, and especially for Christians everywhere. I LOVE That stocking you made! It is so beautiful! The new baby will be blessed to have that for the rest of her life! Oh, I do pray that you will be spared by the big bad storm that is brewing, and I pray that your cold goes away very soon as well. I KNOW how miserable that is. May the Lord be with you and your family and keep you safe and warm and healthy. (((HUGS)))

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  3. You're so right...the world seems to be more and more mixed up. I can't bear to watch much of the news these days.
    I like the pretty baby blanket that you made. All your creations are lovely!!! If I was a knitter or crocheter I'd be very focused on production too. That was part of the reason I didn't take to sewing. I didn't bother basting first.

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  4. I meant to add that I hope you feel 100% better soon.

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  5. Such a beautiful blanket! And a precious stocking! I am talentless in that area. I literally can do nothing! If we lived closer, I would sit beside you and learn. Although you would have to have the patience of Job, as my momma used to say! I hope you feel better soon, and until then, stay cozy. Thank you for this lovely, holy space!

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  6. The stocking is beautiful! What a cherished heirloom it will make.

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  7. God is in charge! What beautiful color work in the stocking! You are a very accomplished knitter! Stay warm!

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  8. ASI ES BETSY, CRISTO VIENE PRONTO Y HAY SEÑALES¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ ESTE MUNDO SE ESTA ACABANDO, TODAVIA HAY TIEMPO PARA ARREPENTIRSE. BENDICIONES.

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    1. THAT'S RIGHT BETSY, CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND THERE ARE SIGNS!!! THIS WORLD IS ENDING, THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGRET. BLESSINGS.

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  9. First, I sure hope you feel better soon. Second, wow! That red stocking is amazing. I love your detailed work. Love the other patterns too. I'm still working on the larger afghan for a gift, but chugging along with it. The weather here is changing again, and not in a good way at all.

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  10. Amid so much pain there are blessings to those who can see Him at work. I hope you feel better. The stocking is so pretty! And I really like the Grace blanket--I just downloaded it, thx!

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  11. Fantastic stocking! That's awesome that everyone has one.
    And I love the baby blanket - the yarn really makes it.

    Hope you're feeling better and the deep cold doesn't hit too hard. They are saying it will hit us too. So far it's just snowing. Lots and lots of snow

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  12. Hello from Downunder!
    Our summer here is almost as brutal as your winter - we have another heatwave coming, with temps for many consecutive days around 44C. It is HOT!
    Blessings to you all
    Regards
    Heather

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  13. Hi dear Betsy I thank God that you point us to Christ and the cleansing power of His blood. We love to remember His coing as a babe but don't like to think of His death on the cross, so necessary for our sins and our salvation. We can never get to heaven by being good. As a favourite hymn says "there was no other good enough to pay the price of sin".
    Only Jesus, our beautiful Saviour Who rose again for the dead and is coming again.
    I dont watch the TV news but listen to podcasts and read online writers I trust. That way I avoid grief of watching too much nightmare viewing ...
    And yes extremely sad re believers in Nigeria and praying for them and protesters in Iran, so brave.
    Love your stocking and blanket and praying with others your cold will be healed. Vit D, K and Zinc needs to be taken all the time. I do even in our summers and haven't had a cold since started 4 years ago and dont have flu shot or all those things they want you to have. I've bad immune health and take lots of natural meds under a naturopath and drs and Specialist. Take vit K with vit D so it absorbs it into your body and Zinc. Excellent immune boosts to protect. God made them for us.
    Praying much Betsy, prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x.

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  14. Stay warm during the next days, Betsy, the weather will be awful. For you and for us. I love the Christmas stocking you just finished, and also the baby blanket....so pretty. Yes I am praying for all the people having such problems in the world. May the good Lord see us through these difficult times. Take care and God Bless you and Dennis. Feel better soon.

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  15. love the Grace blanket and the yarn colorway you used! When you start the Christmas blanket, don't forget the link to the pattern.

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  16. Betsy, I hope you are feeling better soon. No fun to be sick. I like the item you are making for your new granddaughter, nice blanket, I am a bit chilly and have a blanket behind my chair as it's one that my mom had and I was able to get it years ago. I think she crocheted it. Thanks for the scripture verse and the music. I sang the music by myself as I remember that song!!! Stay warm and hopefully there's not a lot of snow but I am sure it will get good to view when you are indoors at home. God bless you and Dennis into this new year and beyond!!===Becky

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  17. Stay warm. Feel better.
    rsrue.blogspot.com

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  18. I love the "Grace" baby blanket. How I wish my mind could wrap around how to crochet, but alas, I'm a techie/genealogist/quilter/gardener (and more, you know the drill, haha), not a crocheter. My mama crocheted and knitted all the time, as did my stepmom. They both did beautiful work. And you always make such wonderful things! // I'm so sorry you are sick. Maybe you've recovered by now? I pray for you to be well! // Thank you, Jesus, for saving me from myself! Amen! Amen! Amen! ✝️ // Hugs and blessings to you, dear Betsy!! 💕

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