This is my hymnbook

Just a little notebook given to me as a Christmas gift several years ago, but I would be heart-broken if it disappeared. It contains my favourite hymns and Christian songs. Some hand-written (not very neatly, because I'm not very good at judging how much space each one will take up), others cut from hymn sheets and pasted in. This is my hymnbook. For singing when I need to sing.

The Gift Hamper

A rather belated "House-Warming" present for a couple of my close friends from university. They rather like cheese, so it's a cheese based, and once again everything is made from  Gifts from the Kitchen (definitely my favourite recipe book at the moment). I also added in a small wedge of a mature cheddar.

Contents: Oatmeal Biscuits For Cheese, Chilli, Tomato and Onion Marmalade, Tickler Mature Cheddar (not shown), Coloured Sugar Lumps (alright, not exactly cheese related, but very cute anyway)

Sugar Lumps

Not lumps at all. Beautiful little shapes. "Recipe" from Gifts from the Kitchen. Have I mentioned that I love this book? So many ideas for beautiful homemade foodie gifts.

I used a set of aspic cutters which are on "loan" from my Mother (in case she needs them one day, they can't be "mine") which in turn were passed down by my Grandmother. As was the palette knife used to squash the block of sugar-sand. The palette knife is *mine* however.

Flowers on the Table

Bought for the Queen of Sheba by her young man. Making our living room look lovely in the vase that I possibly paid more for in a charity shop than it would have cost first time round in Ikea.

The Return of the Queen of Sheba

My flatmate has returned from her two and a half week trip home, bringing back some of her sheet music.

Our flat has been filled with strains of Handel's "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" and "Variations on Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". An odd combination, but a thoroughly pleasing one too.

Immortal Honours Rest on Jesus' Head

This glorious hymn chokes me up every time I sing it, for it reminds me of my constant dependance on my awesome Saviour Jesus Christ, and how He will supply all that I need. It makes me smile too, for exactly the same reasons.

Immortal honours rest on Jesus’ head;
My God, my portion, and my Living Bread;
In Him I live, upon Him cast my care;
He saves from death, destruction, and despair.

He is my Refuge in each deep distress;
The Lord my strength and glorious righteousness;
Through floods and flames He leads me safely on,
And daily makes His sovereign goodness known.

My every need He richly will supply;
Nor will His mercy ever let me die;
In Him there dwells a treasure all divine,
And matchless grace has made that treasure mine.

O that my soul could love and praise Him more,
His beauties trace, His majesty adore;
Live near His heart, rest in His love each day;
hear His dear voice and all His Will obey.

 --- William Gadsby (1773 - 1844)

We sing it to Eventide, which is also the tune for "Abide with me," which amuses me a little, because my mother *hates* "Abide with me" because it sounds so mournful and dirge-like. Indeed she threatens that if we play it at her funeral she'll pop out of her coffin and tell us to stop it immediately. (I quite like this song to that tune, but shhh, don't tell her!)

One down, five to go

Yes, the stitching could have been much neater. No, the corners aren't mitred properly. Yes, the ruffle is completely uneven. No, I don't care, because I made a big squooshy cover for a cushion, that is just how I imagined it.

Three Quid's Worth of Gospel

"I would like to buy about three quid's worth of gospel, please. Not too much - just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I learn to really hate covetousness and lust; I certainly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself don't want to love those from different races - especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected, or my giving too greatly enlarged.

I would like about three quid's worth of gospel please.

Of course, none of us is so crass as to put it that way. But most of us have felt the temptation to opt for a domesticated version of the gospel."

D.A. Carson - Basics for Believers