Father's Day Issue, Ruby for Women, June, 2011

Ruby for Women A voice for every Christian woman

“Stumbling with Dad”

by Heather Barrett Grandpa’s words of love to Cameron Archer

Special Father’s Day Issue!

Celebrate Dad with our Father’s Day Dinner Recipes

History of Father’s Day in America

The Plight of the “Left-Over” Dad

“Her worth is far above rubies . . . .”

Proverbs 31:10

Make Your Own Father’s Day Cards with Vintage Images

Staff Writers Ruby for Women

In This Issue . . .

Page

Title

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Forever, My Daddy Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor

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Celebrate Dad! Amanda Johnson

Katherine Corrigan, Graphic Designer and Creative Assistant

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Planning a Low-Budget Wedding Beth Brubaker

Lynn Mosher, Devotions

8

Bride on a Budget Vintage Mama

Keith Wallis, Poetry

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Beth Brubaker, Family Fun Editor

Cheery Cherry Cheesecake Katherine Corrigan

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A Season of Faith Heide Louise Wright

Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

Dorothy Kurchak Homer, Gardening

Carolyn Arnold, Kids Crafts

Summer is the perfect time to redecorate your little corner of cyberspace!

Page 8

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Would that it Were Keith Wallis

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My Journey to God Heather Barrett

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Gardener’s Delight Quilt Rochelle Martin

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In a Word: Weeds Amanda Johnson

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Dad’s Favorite Number Block Puzzle Beth Brubaker

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The Plight of the “Left-Over” Dad Sheila Watson Kraklow

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Make a Vintage Father’s Day Card Vintage Mama

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Inspired Women Succeed

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Father’s Day Dinner Recipes Vintage Mama

27

Place

Rochelle Martin, Quilting Jennifer Cirka, Crochet & Cooking

Page 5

Page 19

Page 25 Keith Wallis

Let Katie help you update your blog and online shop to reflect your personality! It's easy and customized just for you at www.madeitforyou.com

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I Heard Your Silvered Words Keith Wallis

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The Secret Hiding Place Lynn Mosher

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June Book Give-Away: More than Conquerors Kathi Macias

Page 29 Celebrate Dad with a Certificate of Love 1

Guest Authors and Contributors

Page

Deborah McCarragher

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Spinach Coleslaw Recipe Dorothy Kurchak Homer

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Father’s Day Gift Basket Ideas Vintage Mama

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Gardening with Aunt Dots Dorothy Kurchak Homer

Scott Henderson, Vintage Image Craft Connie Arnold, Poetry Sheila Watson Kraklow Heide Louise Wright

Title

Page 35

Bernadette Collins

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Thomas B. Clarke

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Footprints in the Mud Beth Brubaker

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Add a Splash of Color with Window Boxes Vintage Mama

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Stumbling with Dad Heather Barrett

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Father’s Day Cards for the Kids to Make

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Prince Charming or a Frog?

Deborah McCarragher

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Printable Father’s Day Cards

Sew Endless

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Specializing in handmade bags for women and children www.sewendless.etsy.com

How to Clean Up a REALLY Big Mess!

Vintage Mama

44

Summer Blog Bash, 2011

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June in the Prayer Garden Thomas B. Clarke

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To Cameron Archer Keith Wallis

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God is very Near Connie Arnold

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Inspired Women Succeed Jo Ann Fore

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Picnic Yummies Word Search Puzzle Beth Brubaker

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Draft Your Book in Two Weeks Thomas B. Clarke

54

Puzzle Answer Keys Beth Brubaker

56

Meet the Ruby Writers

60

Credits and Copyrights

Heather Barrett Amy Lignor

History of Father’s Day in America

Page 36

Page 39

Page 47

Page 50 2

Forever, My Daddy

by Nina Newton, Sr. Editor “In that moment, I knew that you were the same Daddy that I always knew and loved . . . . and I had missed you so much!”

The words tumbled out through tears of joy, laughter, and hugs as they were reunited after years of distance. Yes, he is a “Forever Daddy,” no matter what. Many people find themselves in situations where relationships have been strained or even broken as a result of misunderstandings, busyness, or simply because of geographical distance.

Unfortunately, in some situations, we wait until it is too late to restore and mend those relationships with the important people in our lives.

Recently I heard about a book entitled, One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life, by Kerry and Chris Shook. This sounds like just what we all need once in a while! We get so busy and caught up in our day-to-day responsibilities and obligations that we rarely slow down long enough to think seriously about what it would really mean if we only had one month to live.

What would I do? What would you do? Would it make a difference? As we approach Father’s Day this year, I encourage you to search your heart and think about how you could restore or enhance relationships in your own life. Who needs to hear your voice? Who needs to know that they are loved?

Some of us no longer have our Daddy around to visit with on Father’s Day, or any other day, for that matter. And then there are others of us who never really had the Daddy that we needed in our lives. A few of us are fortunate in that we have a close, loving relationship with our Daddy, even though we are all grown-up.

Inevitably, parents make mistakes. Our parents failed us in some ways, and we will fail our children in some ways, even though we seek to do our very best to honor God with our lives and give our children all of our love.

But parents are not perfect! Moms and Dads everywhere sacrifice for their children; they work hard to provide for their families, and they do their very best, often in extremely difficult situations.

If you are missing your Daddy today, I encourage you to pick up the phone, write a letter or even an email (how about Facebook???) and take that first step toward reconciliation. Sometimes it is scary; sometimes it doesn’t work out the way we want it to. But in the end, isn’t it worth the effort?

Perhaps there has just been a misunderstanding, or time has gotten away from you . . . . don’t let that stop you from reaching out to begin mending a broken heart.

Have a blessed Father’s Day and celebrate the love and relationships that God has brought into your life! www.onemonthtolive.com

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Celebrate Dad! Assistant Editor Ruby for Women Summer is here! Although it doesn’t technically come until June 21, the official start of summer vacation has always been June 1 ever since I was in elementary school!

Oh, how we counted down our days until three months of freedom! That was the life!

OK, well maybe that’s stretching it a little far, but summer vacation definitely made for some exciting times!

It’s my prayer that the coming summer months will bring families together, provide times of celebration, and create lasting memories. The June issue of Ruby for Women is filled with all kinds of summertime activities, recipes, craft ideas, and of course a few stories about Dad! Don’t forget Father’s Day on June 19!

In looking ahead to Father’s Day I can’t help but think of friends who will be honoring this day for the first time without their father.

Many of us will be celebrating while others are mourning or looking back over times without a loving fatherly figure.

I’m thankful that no matter our circumstances, we can take comfort in the unconditional love and surrounding arms of our Heavenly Father. Remember that those “who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God…and by him we cy, ‘Abba, Father’ (Romans 8:14-15).

Celebrate Dad, rejoice in the Father, and spend memorable times with family and friends throughout this summer and the days to follow. Have a safe and blessed summer everyone!

Inspirational Poetry of Joy and Peace

by Connie Arnold

www.conniearnold.blogspot.com

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Planning a Low-Budget Wedding

by Beth Brubaker The ring is accepted, the relatives notified, and though you don't have a date set yet, your mind whirls at all the plans you want to make. But, there's one little problem: there isn't a lot of money in the till to afford a big, lavish wedding.

When I got married, I had very little to spend, so my fiancĂŠ and I decided to push the date back to fourteen months instead of the customary year. We worked together to come up with a plan that would allow us to have a really nice (if small) wedding, and I'm going to share these tips with you today!

1. Have a spiral notebook for all your notes and plans. This will be the book of reference for all you want to do, including phone numbers, schedules and other wedding activities.

2. Ask your church to donate the church building for the wedding and reception. There is nothing wrong with asking the pastor of your church to do this. The worst he can say is no. Find out what the fee will be if this is the case, and make that part of the budget plan. If the fee is too much, ask a friend or family member if you can use his/her yard instead, or reserve space at your local park.

3. Set a date. You'd think this would be the first item on the list, but I put this third for a reason. Some churches are booked for the date you want (or your family or friends might have plans that day that they can't cancel), so you might have to change the date. No sense telling everyone one date, and then having to remember who you told, so you can tell them the new date later on! If people ask, just tell them 'Sometime within (name of month)' so they can get an idea of when the big day is.

4. Get invitations made. Once the date is set, pick out the invitations or make them yourself.

Double check the spelling of names (both yours and your guests) before sending anything out, and make sure you allow time for people to make room in their schedules (at least two to three months ahead of time). Also ask for R.S.V.P.'s by a certain date, so you have an approximate head count. Get the head count, then add ten percent to the total, which will allow a little head room in case some people forgot to respond.

5. Schedule things so you aren't swamped the week of the wedding. Some things can be done two months ahead of time (like the centerpieces to the tables and other decorative items), one month ahead (menu planning and dresses), then each week up until the wedding day. This way you don't feel overwhelmed and if something doesn't get done by that particular week, you have some extra time to finish it.

6. Ask friends and family to help. My fiancĂŠ and I were lucky enough to have relatives and friends who could make a wedding style cake, help with the decorations, and serve the food at the wedding and reception. I even had one friend who did a little apple sculpture for the table centerpiece! Another friend was a florist, and though I wasn't using fresh flowers, she made me a beautiful bouquet of faux flowers and also did the beading work on my veil! One was nice enough 5

to volunteer as my photographer, and he did a fantastic job. My Matron of Honor sewed, and helped me turn my plain wedding dress into a work of art. Those were the best wedding gifts I had ever gotten!

7. Buy the best dress you can afford. At the time, I could only afford a plain white dress made for a bridesmaid. It didn't have all the frills of a wedding dress, but with some lace appliquĂŠs that I hand beaded and sequined myself along with the help of a friend who could sew clothing, we took that dress and transformed it into something really special!

If you don't want to mess with the dress, there are online resources you can look up to find bargains. E-bay is one of resource, but I suggest you look for local sellers first so you can inspect the dress before payment, either through pictures or going to the seller's home.

8. Choose faux over real flowers. Real flowers can be problematic, even if you can afford them (they draw bees plus and some people are allergic). I couldn't afford them myself, so I looked for an online craft outlet store and found the flowers I wanted in the colors I chose for the wedding. We used them for the men's boutonnieres as well as the corsages for the bridal party. The best part is, my bouquet still looks the same as the day I got married!

9. Keep the bridal party small. I had only one of each; the matron of honor and the Best Man. If your friends want to be part of the wedding, ask them to buy their own dresses in the color(s) you want. Let them choose the style (as long as the dress isn't too outrageous!), so there isn't any fussing over ‘that horrendous dress she made me wear.’ 10. Cater the food yourself. I don't mean serve everyone food in your bridal gown, but plan the menu, and make most of the food ahead of time, if possible. Have ingredients and instructions ready for the menu (if your friends will make it all fresh, just make sure you have kitchen facilities at the site of the reception/wedding feast), or have luncheon meat and cheese trays made so your guests can make their own sandwiches. Ask friends to make side dishes, and think about getting a card to a mega store to save on bulk buys. Don't use fancy china or silverware; use those good paper plates with pretty patterns and fancy plastic utensils (they make cleaning up a lot less troublesome for your helpers)!

11. Plan the day, hour by hour. Have a schedule that is flexible enough to allow you some time to relax, but also do all those fun things like tossing the bouquet and cutting the cake. If there are children present during the reception, make sure they have something to do to keep busy too!

Lawn games are fun for the kids, as well as bubbles and other things they can do outdoors. One thing I did was to make two bouquets, one for the adults, and a smaller one for the little girls. They loved it!

12.

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Plan something unexpected. Yes, you heard me. Not unexpected for you, but something unexpected for your guests. Talk to your future spouse about whether it's okay to have a little cake-in-the-face event after cutting the cake, or do what I did. I slipped on some bunny slippers right before he took off the garter! People loved it, and still talk about it today! Do something funny or fun, it will bless everyone around you!

13. Don't expect perfection. Expect to laugh and enjoy yourself, but don't expect everything to run smoothly. Take these small bumps in the road with a smile, knowing that you just married the man of your dreams, and that's all that really matters! Besides, wedding boo-boos make weddings more memorable, and also make for great story telling when your kids get older! Laugh it off, and know that only God is perfect, but a wedding doesn't have to be!

After doing all of these things, our wedding cost less than two thousand dollars, back in 1997. Friends and family had joined together to make us the best wedding possible, and I'm very thankful for their willingness to make the day special for me and my husband. My children still look at the wedding album donated by my photographer friend, and we smile at all the candid shots he made including me licking the icing from my fingers! The wedding wasn't important to me in a sense of the event itself, it was day I became Mrs. Beth Brubaker, and that's all I really wanted!

Do you have a question for Beth? Please contact her at bethatruby@aol.com with the words 'Ask Beth' in the subject line. She would love to hear from you!

Send Out Cards with Danie K. Bell When was the last time you sent an unexpected card at an unexpected time to someone you care about? Do you think it would make a difference? Do you remember people's birthdays and other special occasions? With this incredible tool, not only can you remember people and share appreciation, you can motivate, uplift, encourage and truly make a difference!

Visit Danie for more ideas and learn how you can

Send Out Cards! www.sendthecards.com

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Bride on a Budget: Hand-Embellished Bridal Shoes and Handbag

by Vintage Mama If you are planning a wedding this spring or summer, you already know how stressful it can be to get all of the details taken care of.

And if you are on a budget, all of those decisions tend to create a much higher level of anxiety than if you had all of the money in the world to spend on your wedding. But with a little bit of imagination and creativity, and a small investment of time and money, you can cross a couple of those details off of your wedding “to do” list. Here’s a simple idea for designing and creating your own bridal shoes and handbag that will not only be good for your budget, but you will stroll down the aisle in your very own shoes that reflect your personality. Save money, have fun, and make a fashion statement all at the same time!

It has become quite fashionable recently to express your personal style by gathering an eclectic collection of vintage and / or “almost vintage” garments, shoes, and accessories to add to your wardrobe. Take a trip to your local thrift shop and you’ll discover a variety of items that you can either snap up “as is” to combine with other items already in your closet, or you can be creative and refashion just about anything to give it your own personal “touch.” A sweater that is not your size can be turned into a vest, or even unraveled so that you can knit a sweater that is more your style. An out-of-date skirt can be snipped and trimmed, cinched and ruffled, embellished or cut completely off to make a stylish mini-skirt.

Creativity and imagination, combined with a needle and thread and a hot glue gun offer a multitude of opportunities for transforming any ordinary garment into a spectacular statement of individuality. And that’s all it takes to design your own hand-embellished bridal shoes and handbag. If you discover that you are just having too much fun, you might even want to keep creating and design a sweet little individualized handbag for each of your bridesmaids. You will experience the joy of creative expression, all while saving money for the more important items on your wedding “to do” list.

To get started creating your own hand-embellished bridal shoes, you will need to find a pair of shoes that are comfortable and in a style and color that are just right for you. Whether you are looking for white, ivory, or any other color shoes, you will want to scout out the shoe sections at your local thrift shop, or you might need to buy a pair of inexpensive shoes brand-new to embellish. A low heel or flats are quite popular for weddings, but you might even consider embellishing a pair of sneakers!

Once you have purchased the shoes that you want to embellish, be sure to look for a small handbag in the same or a similar color so that you can embellish both items to match. Then the fun begins!

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Depending on your style, you can purchase bridal lace, beads, ribbon, or braid at a fabric store, a bridal shop, a craft store, or even online. If you haven’t discovered Etsy yet, you will want to check it out at www.etsy.com where you can purchase just about anything you are looking for to handembellish your bridal shoes and handbag.

Gather up your embellishments, a pair of sharp scissors, and a hot glue gun. Then just play around with your lace and beads, ribbons and braid until you discover a design that you like. But before you glue your embellishments to your shoes and handbag, you will want to try different combinations and arrangements to be sure you are completely happy with the finished “look.” For instance, you might want to take a section of bridal lace and drape it across the front of the shoes with a focal design right in the center. If you are embellishing open-toe shoes, be sure to place the lace across the top of the each shoe so that it does not cover the opening. If your shoes are closed in the back, you might even want to place a section of lace around the back and around one side. There are so many different ways you can design your hand-embellished shoes!

Once you decide on the placement of the lace, cut a section that is approximately 1” longer on either side of the front of each shoe.

Then carefully glue the center of the section of lace right in the middle of the front / top of each shoe. That is to make sure that it is centered properly. Do this with each shoe and let the glue cool.

Then carefully place drops of glue on the under side of the rest of the section of lace and gently press it down onto each shoe. Wait until the glue is thoroughly cooled, and then using sharp scissors, carefully cut off all excess lace.

Now you can continue with additional embellishments, including additional beads, ribbons, braid, or even rhinestones or tiny satin flowers. Use the same technique for embellishing your matching handbag, using the same bridal lace and coordinating embellishments. If you are making your own wedding dress, you will have a completely coordinated bridal ensemble, with the shoes and handbag embellished with the same lace as you have on your dress.

If you would like to make hand-embellished handbags for your bridal party, use the same technique to create a unique little bag for each bridesmaid. Scout around your local thrift shop for vintage handbags, and then with a variety of snippets of lace, fabric flowers, beads, buttons, and braid, you will have beautiful gifts for your bridesmaids, and the joy of knowing that you designed and created them yourself!

And a gift from your heart and your hands is truly a meaningful gift that will make the memories of a special day last forever.

Please email me a editor@rubyforwomen.com if you have any questions on making your own hand-embellished bridal shoes and handbag.

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Cheery Cherry Cheesecake from the Kitchen of Katherine’s Corner Here’s a super-simple, sweet and yummy cheesecake recipe that would be perfect for your next summer party!

What You’ll Need: * 1 pre-made graham cracker pie crust, from the cake and baking section of your market

* 1 cup sour cream

* 1 cup granulated sugar

* 1 can pre-made cherry pie filling, 21 oz. size

* 5 cups cream cheese, softened

* Large mixing bowl

* 3 Tbsp. flour

* Electric mixer

* 4 eggs

* 1 Tbsp. vanilla Before You Start: Preheat oven to 325 degrees and bake the pie crust for about 10 minutes, or according to package directions.

Let’s Make It! In a large mixing bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, flour, and vanilla. Mix on medium speed until creamy; reduce speed to slow and add eggs one at a time, mixing well.

Continue mixing until well blended. Spread into pie crust and bake 40 minutes, or until the center is set (so it no longer “jiggles”). Cool at room temperature and then place in refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours. Remove from refrigerator and pour cherry pie filling over the top. Eazy-peazy!

Serves 8 – 10 Katie’s Tid-Bits: You can make your own pie crust by using 6 – 8 graham crackers, crushed, 3 Tbsp. sugar and 3 Tbsp. butter (room temperature). Mix together and press evenly into a baking dish, bake 10 minutes at 325 degrees and then proceed with the rest of the recipe.

Ruby Pearls for June, 2011

by Beth Brubaker •

June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month! See about giving a kitty a new forever home, and watch them give back with snuggles, playing and purrs!

•

June 15th is Smile Power Day! Make someone's day by giving them a smile- you never know just how much you can change someone's perspective on things!

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A SEASON OF FAITH

Would that it Were

by Heide Louise

by Keith Wallis

I am always beside you, Guiding you in each new day, Protecting you with my mercy, Casting your cares away.

For who, being innocent, has ever perished?

Who that tries have I ever turned away?

As my love for you is forever binding, You will be restored, yet never be the same.

You will know that your tent is secure, You will know that your home will be blessed, Just believe in your heart my promises are coming, As in all - you'll pass each test.

I love to bring hope to you, my child, I long to grant you your hearts desires, Your children shall to, live in my presence, Just have faith and all will transpire.

Obey my every word, And I will see you through, For you will be rewarded from this journey, So much joy I have in store for you.

Remember there is a time for everything, I make everything beautiful in it's time, The end of a matter is far better than it's beginning, Have patience and you'll see, my bride.

Would that it were always like this: child-like hand safe at harbour in Father’s grip, viewing tomorrow’s distant clouds daubs in an ocean of blue.

A single wavelet gentle of touch ambling over the shingled hem of the sea’s rippling garment.

Grips change.

In forgetful moments, I won’t need anchorage and drift in the seductive undulations of life.

Then squalling, darker, clouds of reality obscure the horizon, reassuring touch of sand is beyond the reach of frightened toes.

Then it’s not the clasp of child but Father’s firm grasp that brings the treasure to safe haven.

c Heide Louise

Discovery House Publishers Feeding the Soul with the Word of God

www.dhp.org 11

MY JOURNEY TO GOD

by Heather Barrett When I was born, I was a month early; I was breached and strangled by the umbilical cord. The doctors told my parents that if I lived; I’d probably be mentally retarded, deaf and blind.

They were told to more or less leave me at the hospital and forget they had a daughter. Fortunately, for me, God gave me a set of awesome parents who loved me and who refused to give up on me.

When I was 2, I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP). My parents got me all the resources I needed. When it came time for me to start school, they wanted the best for me there too. They chose to send me to a Catholic school. My parents weren’t currently going to church when I was born. When I was 7 the family joined the church.

I was brought up with 5 brothers. I really wasn’t treated differently because of my CP, but because I was the only girl. I had as many, if not more, opportunities as the boys had.

I guess I was about 12 or so when I began to understand that I would always be disabled; up until then I honestly thought I would “outgrow” my CP. I didn’t want to be disabled. I loved God, but really could not understand why He made me disabled and how he could possibly love a person who was as broken as I was. I suffered from depression and some emotional problems.

When I was 18, I spent 3 weeks in a psychiatric hospital. While I was there, our priest came and visited me and he let me know that it was OK to question God and even be angry now and then. I also had the opportunity to attend a weekend retreat called SEARCH. Through SEARCH, I learned that God wanted a personal relationship with me, just as I am; CP and all. I realized I wasn’t good enough to earn God’s love. We can’t earn God’s love it’s a gift freely given – we just have to accept it.

I started Middle Tennessee University in the fall of 1993. My major was Social Work. I really wanted to help people; however I also had a bigger dream. I wanted to be a wife and mother. I didn’t know if I could even have kids, nor did I know if some guy could love me with the CP I really began to pray that I would meet my “soul mate”.

In May of 1997, I took a 3 week philosophy class. I met this guy there and I just knew he was “the one”. He however, had different plans; he just wanted to be “friends”. So for a year, we were just that; friends. I used to pray and cry myself to sleep at night, just hoping he’d fall in love with me.

He eventually did, and we were married on November 7, 1998. Looking back, I really do thank God for that year. It gave us time to grow and get to know each other better. Marriage is a big responsibility; especially when there are issues involved that are outside of the norm.

I become pregnant on our honeymoon. I was just about to turn 25 and we didn’t know if I could have children. God blessed us with 2; Dalton was born on July 13, 1999 and Bobbye Sue was born on September 5, 2002. When I was 6 months pregnant with Bobbye Sue, I was put in the hospital because of preterm labor. I was in the hospital for 2 months before she was born. She was perfectly healthy.

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I am a stay-at-home-mom and I absolutely love being a wife and mother. It’s a challenge at times.

We get weird looks whenever we go out as a family. As the kids get older, it is obvious to them and their friends that we are not the typical family. As they grow we may have more challenges to face because of my CP, but we know that we will continue to trust God and that even when the way seems rough, He will be our guide.

Heather Barrett is a stay at home mom (SAHM) from Murfreesboro, TN. She and her husband Bryan have been married for 12 years. They have an 11 year old son, Dalton, and an 8 year old daughter, Bobby Sue. Visit Heather’s blog at crippledmama.blogspot.com

Giving the Glory Is there someone in your life who helps others? Do they help you in ways big or small? We are looking for people you know who go out of their way to do good deeds for others! Please share their stories with us and if you have a picture or two, we'd love to see that as well!

Please direct e-mails to Beth Brubaker at bethatruby@aol.com with the words 'Giving the Glory' in the subject line.

You Can Make This!

A Friend In Need …

Is there something you need, but just can't seem to find? Are you looking for a recipe, a store location, or the best places to go in a certain area? Do you have an item you would like to give to someone, but no one near you needs it? Send your requests into the magazine (bethatruby@aol.com) with 'A Friend in Need' in the subject line and we'll publish it for you!

When making a request, please include a current email address for a direct reply.

Those who are answering queries are to correspond to the posted email address directly, and not to the staff of Ruby for Women.

Items offered must be free (except for shipping costs, agreed to be paid by the receiving party unless otherwise agreed upon by the giver and receiver). All postal regulations must be followed.

Ruby for Women will not be responsible for shipping costs or lost items.

Sew Endless www.youcanmakethis.com

with Kelly Masson An Etsy shop that specializes in handmade bags for women and children

http://www.sewendless.etsy.com http://www.facebook.com/sewendless

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Gardener's Delight Quilt Block

by Rochelle Martin of Cottage Quilt Designs

This month's issue will give you the last set of instructions for Gardener's Delight, cutting chart, templates for the top fence border of the quilt, and surrounding quilt borders using the paisley, stone and tan prints. The complete pattern of Gardener's Delight will be available through Cottage Quilt Designs in July 2011 for the price of $9.

Yardage The complete yardage is in the May/June 2010 issue of Ruby. Here is what you will need to make the top fence, flowers and birds and surrounding borders: * From the 7/8 yard of Grass * From the 1 yard of White Wood grain * From the fat quarters of Orange, Yellow and Pink tonal * Scraps of Blue and Dark Blue (bird), and Light Green * From the 1/3 yard Sky fabric * From the ¼ yard Cream print, 1 yard Stone and 1 1/3 yard Paisley border fabrics * From the optional 1 yard of fusible web, black embroidery floss

Materials for Top Fence Row Cut the grass fabric rectangles having the grass blades point vertically. The grass blades direction should match the other blocks in your quilt. Cut the wood grain fabric having the grain run the length of the fence pickets and horizontal bars.

Cut from the grass print: 1 - 2½" x 30½" rectangle 2 - 3" x 3½" rectangles

Cut from the wood grain fabric: 2 - 1½" wide x 30½" strips 7 - 2" wide x 9" rectangles (pickets)

Cut from orange tonal: 7 - V prepared rose centers

Cut from yellow tonal: 8 - W prepared circles (one for pink flower) 14 - X prepared rose petals (reverse 7 petals)

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Cut from light green scrap:

Cut from sky fabric:

7 - prepared Y rose stems 1 - prepared Zz flower stems 4 - prepared yz leaves (rosebush and flower)

1 - 7½" wide x WOF strip

From the stone fabric: 3 - 3" wide x WOF strips (border)

Cut from pink tonal:

From the cream print fabric:

4 - prepared Z petals

5 - 2½" wide x WOF strips (border)

Cut from blue scrap: 2 - prepared 1A bird body (reverse 1)

From the paisley fabric:

Cut from dark blue scrap:

6 - 4½" wide x WOF strips (border) 6 - 2½" wide x WOF strips (binding)

2 - prepared 2A bird wing (reverse 1)

Instructions 1. Prepare the appliqué shapes using the method you prefer-fusible web or hand appliqué.

Making the Top Fence Block

Figure 1

1. Cut two rectangles sized 3" x 7½" from the end of the sky 7½" wide x WOF strip (figure 1). Reserve the two rectangles for the sky/grass/paving stone border. Sub-cut two 3½" x 30½" strips from the remainder of the 7½" wide x WOF strip.

Figure 2

2. Sew together into a panel one sky 3½" x 30½" strip, one light wood grain 1½" x 30½" strip, one 3½" x 30½" sky strip, a second wood grain strip and a green grass 2½" x 30½" strip (figure 2).

Press the seams towards the darker fabrics. The panel should be 10½" wide x 30½".

3. Fold a 2" wide x 9" wood grain rectangle lengthwise in half, right sides facing. Sew a ¼" seam across one short end (figure 3).

Figure 3 4. Turn the picket inside out pushing out the point. Press under ¼" along each long picket side to make a finished 1½" wide x 8 5/8" picket. Repeat to make seven pickets.

Figure 4

5. Lay out seven pickets on the sky/fence/grass panel. The outer left picket should be pinned 3/8" inside the panel edge to allow room for the stone border to be added later without catching the pickets in the seam. The outer right picket on the panel should be pinned 3/8" to the inside of the panel edge. The inside pickets should straddle the block seams in the aster and holly row below with one picket in the middle of each block (figure 4). Appliqué the pickets to the fence blocks by hand or machine.

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Adding the Appliqués 1. Arrange and sew the yellow rosebush (stems and roses) and pink flower to the top fence row (figure 5).

Figure 5

2. Sew the top fence row to the top of the quilt center. Press the seam outwards. Appliqué the flower and rose bush bottom leaves to the row. Add the two blue birds to the fence and on the grass below the fence facing each other (see photo). Add the black eyes to the birds with a thick stitch of black embroidery floss.

Adding the Borders Figure 6

Stone Border

Figure 7

1. Sew a 3" wide x 3½" grass rectangle to the bottom of a reserved sky 3" wide x 7½" rectangle (figure 6). Sew a 3" wide x WOF stone border to the bottom of the grass rectangle for the left stone border (figure 7). Repeat the same to make a right stone border.

2. Pin and sew the pieced border strips to the left and right sides of the quit center having the sky/green grass seam at the same height or not higher then the bottom fence cross piece (see quilt picture). Trim the ends extending beyond the quilt center and press the seams outward.

3. Measure the width of the quilt center and trim the last 3" wide stone strip to that length and sew to the bottom of the quilt center. Press the seam outward.

4. Measure the length of the quilt center and piece and trim two borders from the 2½" wide x WOF cream print strips. Sew to the left and right sides of the quilt and press the seams outward.

5. Measure the width of the quilt center and trim two cream print strips to that length. Sew to the top and bottom sides of the quilt center.

6. Repeat to add the paisley print 4½" wide border and press the seams outward.

Finishing the Quilt 1. Layer, baste and quilt your Gardener's Delight as desired.

Trim away the excess backing and batting from around the outside border.

2. Make the binding from the paisley 2½" wide x WOF strips and apply to the quilt.

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Scentsy . . . we make perfect scents! www.bonilla.scentsy.us

A River of Small Stones

by Keith Wallis Available at www.ariverofstones.blogspot.com Poems written as “small stones,” polished moments of paying proper attention to life.

A Garden of Love

by Thomas B. Clarke A Garden of Love is an experience that takes us deep into the heart of God's love. Using flowers to paint images of Christian love, I would like to take you on a spiritual journey that touched my heart and will hopefully touch yours, revealing the depth of God's love.

Thirty flowers are featured in this book, calling us to respond in intimate relationship with the Lord and the fullness of Christian love.

Sense how the flowers usher in softness, gentleness, and peace as each precious plant reveals another aspect of grace or kindness, joy or forgiveness, patience or faithfulness.

A Garden of Love can be purchased on Tom’s website at www.bible-discernments.com 18

In a Word: Weeds

by Amanda Johnson

Weeds are probably the easiest plant life to grow and maintain. They require no work at all.

In fact, the more we leave them alone, the more they will grow and flourish. They will take over the garden, sidewalks, yards, and anything else in their path. Some weeds take on the appearance of beautiful spring flowers popping up in purples and yellows all over the place.

The Dandelions are especially hard to get rid of, and yet they are the most fun to pick. Who doesn't love to pick the Dandelions when the flowers have turned to those white puffy looking spores? It's great fun to let the wind catch them and carry the spores across the yard, never mind the reality that we're only increasing the Dandelion population by a million!

Children especially just love to pick them and bring in big bouquets of them to go on the dining room table and, of course, we can't tell them “no!”

Weeds are a lot like sin.

When we don't bother doing anything about them, they grow rampant and consume everything in their path. When we don't acknowledge sin in our life, we're letting it take control and grow through areas of our life we thought we're safe.

Sin takes on many different forms and can often appear like a good thing when first encountered, but like the Dandelions, the true nature of sin will soon show itself and spread its spores in our lives multiplying troubles and problems all over the place.

Getting rid of weeds is a chore, but when we realize we can't hang on to the “beautiful flowers” for risk of killing all of the real flowers and plant life in our yard, we understand that spraying the weed killer is our only option. One spray with powerful weed killer will do it! They'll droop, and shrive, and eventually sag down back to the ground. We must then pull them up by the root to prevent them from returning.

Sin requires similar treatment. Once we realize that it's not good for us (even though it may look pretty), we are free to spray the Word of God on it and ask God's forgiveness and watch as He washes it away. Like the weed though, we must always get rid of sin at the very root of the problem. If we aren't honest with ourselves and we only get rid of part of it, it will most definitely sprout up again and will be even stronger than before.

Look for the root, confess it, and ask for God's strength to pull it up and throw it out. It may be painful, but in the long run our heart will be so much cleaner and more beautiful that it will be worth the work!

Romans 7:25, "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

You can read more of Amanda’s blog posts at www.ajwrites4him.blogspot.com 19

Dad’s Favorite Number Block Puzzle

by Beth Brubaker

Answers on page 54

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From proofreading and editing to ghostwriting, research and reviews, Ruby for Women clients will get the very best prices. Not only that, but TWC will read the first three chapters of any manuscript and offer a full consultation for free!

Simply write to amylignor@hotmail.com to get the process started.

You can also find Amy on her website, The Write Companion, at http://www.thewritecompanion.com

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Don’t Worry Kids - Daddy’s here!

The plight of the Leftover Dad

by Sheila Watson Kracklow There is something going on in our society, it accompanies the sorrowful breakdown of the American family and has all but destroyed "family life" as we know it. Sitting down as a family over supper with the whole family group is not something that is common in these modern days.

The pendulum is swinging. It used to be that in the course of getting a divorce the mother was awarded custody of the kids in most cases, but not so now. Fathers are suing for custody of the kids, the dog, the car, and the house and they are winning! It does seem like a lot of mothers are throwing their hands up in surrender and giving their families away.

So many families have been thrown into chaos, and left with bleeding, broken hearts as the mothers move away. I know several good, sincere, young dads who have been forced to step up into this double role and make the family work after “Mother" has surrendered.

Why are mothers leaving? She might have taken up with a new fellow who offers her a clean break. Or maybe she married again giving birth to more kids. She might have hooked-up with a man who has his kids. (Do we see a pattern here?) I want to say, “Lady, that is weird. You left one family with kids (yours) and now you are mothering another’s kids?" Really? What’s even more sad are the families who have lost a mother to death and dad finds himself all alone with the children.

What becomes of these “leftover” dads (or widowers in some cases)? I know a daddy whose wife informed him that she was leaving and she did that day. She left him with two little girls and one baby boy. The girls were ages eight and six, and the baby was just three years old. One Sunday morning not long after her departure, I was at their home to give them a ride to church. (Mother had to have a car didn’t she?) They were getting ready to go to church; I was waiting in the living room. I heard much commotion in the house, lots of getting ready noise; you know the kind. Well, it got very quiet in there so I wandered back to see if I could lend a hand.

What I saw brought tears to my old, motherly eyes. There was that terrific daddy perched on the edge of the bathtub with spray bottle in one hand, hair-brush in the other, and barrettes dangling out of his mouth fixing those little girls’ hair so they could go to church! I hurried back to the other room so they wouldn’t see me cry.

Daddy's can do the things that have to be done after Mommy has flown the coop and this includes cooking, cleaning, and hairdos!

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I’m beginning to see many helpful cookbooks and how-to-books for dads out in the marketplace.

Here are a few books along these lines. These are great how-to-books for the newly-single dad.

•

Dad's Own Cookbook by Bob Sloan. It’s a reissued version of the book that was published 10 years ago. This wonderful book helps Dad learn to be the chief-cook and bottle-washer. Within the covers of this book is a valuable guide to teach you the how’s, why’s, and where’s of everyday cooking for a family; step-by-step instructions.

•

A Man, A Can, a Plan - 50 Great Guy Meals by David Joachim.

This book is filled with cute, simple cooking projects

• Daddy's Cookin' Cookbook: Unique Recipes Brought to you from the Junkyard Crew by Mark Bragg and Mike Williams.

If you need help with housekeeping, search for books like Dad’s Own Housekeeping Book by David Bowers with chapter titles like “Dad Does Dinner: Fast Foods; Dad Cleans up His Act: Kitchen Patrol; The Super-Bowl: Cleaning up the Bathroom, and lots of other handy-dandy pages.

So I say, hey you terrific single daddy’s, hang in there! Anything she did you can probably do better. The Lord has seen your struggle, and is there with you, walking alongside you as you do double duty.

Sheila Watson Kracklow is the owner of DoveQuill Publishing. Learn more about Sheila and her work at http://www.dove-quill-publishing.com/.

DoveQuill Publishing is a grass-roots company created out of our need to have a voice in the mainstream publishing world. DoveQuill Publishing is ever-busy creating family-oriented books, pamphlets, and associated products so we might offer the Christian family high-quality literature and information.

Please visit us for all your publishing needs at www.dove-quill-publishing.com

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Make Your Own Vintage Father’s Day Card Just print out the images below and glue them onto a folded sheet of cardstock. Then add your own Father’s Day message for Dad!

The greatest gift I ever had Came from God; I call him

Dad! ~Author Unknown

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Father’s Day Dinner Recipes from the kitchen of Vintage Mama

Dad’s Favorite Potato Salad This is a tangy, spicy favorite in our family. My mama always made her potato salad with mustard and paprika, and we’ve added a bit of horseradish and sour cream to give it even more pizzazz! Our daddy loves it!

Ingredients 2 pounds medium red potatoes

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup Italian salad dressing

1-1/2 teaspoons prepared horseradish

4 hard-cooked eggs

1-1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard

3/4 cup sliced celery

1-1/2 teaspoons celery seed

1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup mayonnaise

Paprika to sprinkle on top

Directions Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain.

When cool enough to handle, peel and slice potatoes. Place in a large bowl; add salad dressing and toss gently. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Slice eggs in half; remove yolks and set aside. Chop egg whites; add to potatoes with celery and onions.

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish, mustard, celery seed and salt. Crumble egg yolks; add to mayonnaise mixture and whisk until blended. Spoon over potatoes; toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Yield: 8 servings.

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Spicy Summer Meatballs Our family loves to have these meatballs for a special picnic lunch that includes Dad’s Favorite Potato Salad, along with corn on the cob and watermelon. These meatballs are yummy warmed up the next day, too, so be sure to save your leftovers, because Dad will be looking for them in the fridge!

Ingredients 2 eggs, lightly beaten

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons plus 1 cup chili sauce, divided

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup soft bread crumbs

1 pound lean ground turkey

2 tablespoons dried minced onion

1 pound Italian turkey sausage

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 cup apricot preserves

Directions In a large bowl, combine the eggs, Worcestershire sauce and 2 tablespoons chili sauce. Stir in the bread crumbs, onion, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Crumble turkey and sausage over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls.

Place on a rack coated with cooking spray in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.

In a large bowl, combine apricot preserves and remaining chili sauce. Add meatballs and toss gently. Place in a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until glazed, stirring every 3 minutes.

Yield: about 4 dozen.

Jaybird Designs specializes in unique crocheted photo hats and props for newborns, babies, and children along with women's hats and accessories, and original crochet patterns.

www.jaybirddesigns.etsy.com 26

I Heard Your Silvered Words

Place

by Keith Wallis

by Keith Wallis I heard your silvered words soft tongued and eloquent gentle on the battleground.

The wounded gathered round, dragging their brokenness, shell shocked and damaged, dreams dismissed to bedlam as thunderous life blasted and screamed in a clamour of uninvited voices.

A drip of colour on marbled canvas, the random placement of God by haphazard wind or careless bird midwifery.

Royal purple against holy white, silk against satin.

Fissured anchor sufficient to sustain, spontaneous beauty within eons grip, beauty upon splendour.

A yielding, breeze blown dye, soft and fragile dancing on unyielding rock at once a cradle and a grave.

Even the impressive, with its grandeur of age, gives place for tender praise.

Eager ears and searching minds scrambled to your touch bringing their wounds.

Open sores at parade ground attention to be dressed by healing syllables, soothed, made whole.

Rabbi, Teacher, Your words leave no scars, no irritating itch of knitting tissue no reminding hurt of bruise or blemish.

Bandage and sling, splint and brace pile high beyond this tent of healing; testament to those who overhear Your conversation.

I heard your silvered words on this hill, as we munched loaves and fish but fed upon You. I heard your silvered words on another hill, a darker vista, as our eyes feasted on the hate of man and you taught another lesson “Father forgive…”

www.tatterstotreasures.etsy.com 27

The Secret Hiding Place

by Lynn Mosher When the bank is overdrawn and bills pile up . . .

When kids are sick and doctors’ visits are out of the question…

When relationships fall apart and bring heartache… . . . know where I run to hide when all these trials and hurts enter my life with a vengeance? As a child running to the security of its father’s lap, I run right into the shelter of God’s presence, His secret hiding place.

David knew this hiding place so well and wrote of it many times. In the Psalms, he said to God, “Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,” (Ps. 17:8 NKJV). “I shall live forever in Your tabernacle; oh, to be safe beneath the shelter of Your wings!” (Ps. 61:4 TLB) This reminds me of a story I heard someone tell. It happened years ago when a massive fire overwhelmed the Grand Teton National Park. Afterwards, as several men walked through the ashes, one man saw a charred bird and gently moved it with his foot, only to find, beneath the mother, three living baby birds, all of which immediately hopped off. The mother had protected her precious ones under her wings, bringing them deliverance from the fire, for she gave up her life that they might live to take flight.

God’s overshadowing Presence is the same for us, covering us with His wings of protection and rescuing us from the fires of hell through the exchange of Jesus’ death that we might live to have eternal life.

Psalm 91 is a beautiful example of that secret hiding place in the Lord. Verse 1 says, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." God's secret shelter is like a feathered retreat, a nested refuge. In the first part of verse 4, it says, "With His feathers he will cover you, and under His wings you shall seek refuge." When defined, the meaning of this verse is much richer.

If we reworded it according to its definitions, it might read like this, “Like a mother hen, He will lay the feathers of His wings over you, and cover you with His mantle of protection when you flee to Him for refuge in hope and trust; He will overshadow you, defend you, hedge you in, and stop the approach of the enemy.” How great is that!

As David so aptly put it, “And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.” (Ps. 57:1 NKJV) When trials overwhelm you, in what do you take refuge? Where do you hide?

Prayer: Lord, when the waves of life’s circumstances attempt to overwhelm me, I know I can run to You and You will welcome me with open arms, covering me with Your mantle of protection and care. I pray that all those who need to feel Your feathered retreat will do so today. Amen. ~~Soli deo gloria…Lynn~~ http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com http://twitter.com/lynnmosher http://www.facebook.com/LynnMosher http://www.linkedin.com/pub/lynn-mosher/11/146/206 28

June Book Give-Away: More than Conquerors

by Kathi Macias True love ignites their passionate pursuit of His call. With violent crime on the rise and the political climate changing throughout certain parts of Mexico, the opportunity for open Christian witness, particularly in some areas of Chiapas State, is rapidly decreasing.

Hector Rodriguez pastors a small church in the tourist-popular border town of Tijuana. He also routinely carries Bibles deeper into the hostile areas of Mexico, where he ministers despite increasing difficulty and persecution.

Hector’s mother accompanied him on one of those trips and felt God called her to stay in the little village of San Juan Chamula, where she uses the Scriptures to teach reading to the families who are open to it. In retaliation for Hector’s bringing the Bibles into areas hostile to Christians, and in an effort to dissuade him from continuing to expand his ministry there, Hector’s mother is murdered. Hector must decide if he will continue his work despite his worries about protecting his wife and children.

To enter the June Book Give-Away for your chance to receive a copy of Kathi’s book, More Than Conquerors, please visit the Ruby for Women blog at www.rubyforwomen.com and leave a comment on the June Book Give-Away post.

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored more than 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs.

Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time buzzing around in their new ride: Al’s 2005 sunburst orange Corvette.

Kathi is passionate about www.voiceofthemartyrs.com so check it out!

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Celebrate Dad with this

Certificate of Love for Father’s Day

30

SPINACH COLESLAW

by Dorothy Kurchak Homer

Fill up a Gift Basket for Dad on Father’s Day! Trying to think of the perfect gift for Dad on Father’s Day? Here’s and idea that is fun to put together and Dad will LOVE it!

Whisk together: 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup white wine vinegar 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 t. dry mustard 1 T. salt 1/2 t. cayenne pepper Add: 1 bag (1 lb) coleslaw mix 1 bag (10 oz) shredded red cabbage 1 bag (6 oz) fresh spinach, thinly sliced Whisk together all ingredients except vegetables. Add vegetables. Toss and let coleslaw sit 30 minutes before serving.

You can use any kind of basket or bucket or garden tub from the hardware store. Then, depending on YOUR dad’s favorite hobby, fill it up with a variety of small gadgets, tools, golf balls, fishing gear, gardening supplies, BBQ or grilling utensils and chef’s apron.

You could tuck in books about his hobby, a carpenter’s apron, camping accessories, photography, fishing, golfing, camping, or gardening books, or whatever would make YOUR dad smile.

This makes 10 cups, enough for the family picnic. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare.

Then, once you have filled up your Father’s Day basket, print out one of the cards in this issue of the Ruby for Women ezine. Fold a piece of cardstock in half and glue the front image on the front of your card and glue the message on the inside of your card. You can decorate it with any other drawings, stickers, or messages that will let Dad know how much you love him.

Happy Father’s Day from Ruby for Women!

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Gardening with Aunt Dots

by Dorothy Kurchak Homer Ouch! That hurts! My first bee sting of 2011 summer gardening season. I don’t know how the bumble bee got up my pants leg but he did and he let me have it when I sat down to rest. I was checking out the wild honeysuckle behind the house which had a bumble bee on it. I’ll have to monitor the lymph glands under my arms to check for swelling as I’m allergic to bee stings. So far no reaction to the sting. Bee stings and ant bites are a hazard of gardening, so if you’re allergic to either, be careful to monitor yourself if you acquire either one.

Look at those oriental poppies! They certainly get your attention.

They’re easy to grow too. Almost too easy, as they spread by seed.

So, make sure you remove the seed pods before they ripen and spread all over your garden. They like full sun and will tolerate most soils except wet ones. These poppies are perennials. There are annual poppies, also. Some yellow ones I planted once reseeded themselves for the following summer. They were nice fillers in the garden.

Of course, we have to talk about roses as they are now in their first blossom. There are also the old fashioned “June” roses which only bloom in June. There were some here when we moved in, and I pruned and fertilized trying to make them more attractive, but finally pulled them all out and bought hybrids. It took me a few years to establish a garden just for roses. I believed they were difficult to grow.

I tried a few, however, and they flourished, so I planted a few more.

Now I have 32 including one climber, grandifloras, teas, floribundas, Knock Out, miniatures and ground cover roses.

The Knock Out is fairly new on the market. I put one at each corner of the house. They don’t seem to be bothered with black spot, mildew or bugs. I do spray them as I do all the other roses, and have a “leaky” hose for watering the entire garden. It curls around at the base of each plant and is covered with mulch.

Last summer I tried some ground cover roses, yellow and pink. It only grows about 12 inches high.

I like it because it fits nicely near the path and doesn’t take much room. For contrast, I planted Elijah Blue grass at the edge of the rose garden next to the driveway with a few miniature roses in between. This winter the mice burrowed under some of the grass and it looks rather ill so I may have to replace three of them.

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There’s Rambo, my male cat. He was a stray whom I befriended.

He’s really big, about 15 pounds. When I’m gardening, he comes around and wants me to pet him. When I sit to rest he makes himself at home on my lap. I was worried about my two cats when I went to Florida this winter. Fortunately, friends came over and made sure they had food. The cats can get into my sun porch through a dog door and I feed them there. Unfortunately, there must have been a stray cat who also found out there was food in the porch. The porch was a mess with muddy paw prints all over, food scattered all over, and items from the window sills lying on the floor.

I have to get back to visiting some neighbors and find out what interesting things they’re doing.

My husband, Willis, has his home about 85 miles from my home and we’re maintaining both of them. I’ve noticed some interesting places near his home that I would like to get acquainted with.

So friends, get out there and pull those weeds! Don’t forget to sit and rest now and then, too.

You’ll find out you’ll get more done if you don’t push yourself. I keep reminding myself of that too.

See you later,

Aunt Dots

Get Crafty in the Garden with Aunt Dots Make a Mosaic Patio Block

by Dorothy Kurchak Homer This is a simple craft that you could make with your children this summer.

Here’s what you need: * patio block of any size * colored stones * outdoor adhesive (such as Liquid Nails)

Let’s Make It! Draw out a pattern on the block. I started from the center. Apply some adhesive following your pattern, just a little at a time, and place the stones.

Continue in this way until you have filled in the entire block. I left the center of the design free of stones so I could place a flower pot in the middle. I’m going to paint the pot the color of the darkest stones. Then, with some pretty flowers in the pot, you have a real masterpiece! Children will need supervision because of the adhesive. It’s not caustic, but can be messy.

If you would like to share pictures of your Mosaic Patio Block, we would love to share it with our readers. Please email your pictures to editor@rubyforwomen.com 33

History of Father’s Day in America Father's Day, in the United States, is a holiday (third Sunday in June) to honor fathers. Credit for originating the holiday is generally given to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. She is said to have had the idea in 1909 while listening to a sermon on Mother's Day, which at the time was becoming established as a holiday.

Local religious leaders supported the idea, and the first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, the month of the birthday of Dodd's father. In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observance, and in 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson officially proclaimed it a national holiday. Observance on the third Sunday of June was decreed by law in 1972.

Although it was originally largely a religious holiday, Father's Day has been commercialized with the sending of greeting cards and the giving of gifts. Some observe the custom of wearing a red rose to indicate that one's father is living or a white rose to indicate that he is deceased.

Other males—for example, grandfathers or uncles who have assumed parenting roles—are often also honored on the day. Some Roman Catholics have continued to observe the feast day of Saint Joseph, on March 19, as a tribute to fathers.

Copyright © 1994-2009 Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. For more information visit Britannica.com.

Visit iBloom today for inspiration, encouragement, and advice that will help you bloom! http://ibloom.co/ 34

Footprints in the Mud Dreaming the Dreams

by Beth Brubaker Remember what it was like to daydream as a kid? The world was an amazing place, filled with all kinds of possibilities! And you spent many a day wishing you could be anything that your imagination dreamed up.

Then we grow up without ever trying out our dreams, those fantasies often replaced with hard experiences. We give up on our dreams and call them childish. For many, life becomes a daily grind, the fun sucked out of it like a siphon, and we lose our childlike sense of fun.

But what if you tapped into it again? What if you remembered what you dreamt of as a child and tried starting over? Is that even possible? With God, everything is possible. Even our childhood dreams!

I'd like to call this the 'Anything Can Happen' mentality. And I'm loaded with it. Some people who meet me for the first time think I'm immature, looking down their disdainful noses.

Frankly, I take their comment as a compliment, not a criticism. Why? Because I'm wearing sparkling pink underpants over my heart.

That's right. Bright fuchsia pink, with iridescent sparkles. Studded with silver unicorns. Don't look at me that way! It's My heart, and I can wear what I want!

The point is I had given up my dreams for a world of 'reality' not even realizing I was also giving up my chance to make changes in my life as well as those around me. For a long time my heart had on plain and worn-out dull white undies, without anything fun on them. For years, I just wasn't the fun-loving person I used to be, and one day I woke up and wanted to know why.

So I went back to my childhood dreams to seek an answer.

Even I was surprised at what I found!

I wanted to be anything from a waitress to making the most beautiful bed canopies on the planet. I loved to write stories, and would often make plays using the sock puppets I'd made with

glued on eyes and sparkly hair yarn. And what I want to do now is very similar!

I make meals for people who are unable to cook or friends who are sick, I sew fabric crafts to decorate rooms, and here I am at Ruby, writing (thanks Nina!). One day I hope to do a little ventriloquism.

I still would like to design puppets (even though I haven't ever sewn one- I've just used old socks so far). I have some pretty cool ideas for characters!

It took a long time for me to realize that it was me keeping me from being happy, and doing what I really wanted. No, not everyone can have everything that they want, but there is certainly nothing wrong about working on those long forgotten dreams and starting fresh even if that freshness takes a few years!

Yes, you might have to sacrifice something, whether it be time, money, or giving up something before your dream will become a reality, but the only person that can stop you is you. And I just got tired of stopping myself!

So I'm going to wear my pretty undies and think pink, sparkly thoughts and remain a kid forever in my heart. Isn't that what Jesus told us in the first place? Not to wear pink heart undies, of course, but that we should be like children and come to Him without fear. Kids love without boundaries, and can dream dreams that seem impossible for us to fathom. And I want to be like that!

So the next time your kids share their dreams with you, remember your own and share them, and encourage your kids to follow it, if they really have a desire to. One day you'll see your baby doing what he or she truly loves!

Dream those dreams, and put some fun undies on your heart. The best part is you get to design them!

See more Footprints in the Mud at www.footprintsinthemudblog.blogspot.com and become a follower!

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More Beauty on a Budget: Splashes of Color in Window Boxes from the garden of Vintage Mama Looking for ideas to bring more color to your house and yard, but the budget has limited your dreams? We had always lived in an old, Victorian house that was remodeled over a period of about 20 years. It wasn’t a fancy house at all, just a regular ol’ house that we painted a vintage blue with white trim and black shutters. But with window boxes filled to overflowing with bright red impatiens, trailing ivy vines, and tiny blue lobelia, our house was a riot of color every summer!

We now live in a smaller house, a lake cottage that had not received much TLC by the previous owners. So, one of our goals over the next few summers is to make it our very own by planting gardens and flower beds, building a bigger deck / patio area, fixing the driveway, and improving the lawn. But, that little obstacle called a “budget” means that we can only do a little bit at a time. One of the first projects on our list is to build three window boxes and fill them with bright red and white flowers! I’ve tried other colors over the years, but I am still partial to red for some reason. Perhaps because a cluster of red impatiens on my picnic table or in a hanging basket (and especially in my window boxes!) just seems to shout, “Hooray! It’s summer!”

So, if you are wondering how you can bring a bit of cheer and color to your home and garden, you might want to consider starting with a couple of window boxes. They are quite easy, actually, if you just want to start with window boxes that you can purchase from your local hardware store. They are available in a variety of sizes and colors, with holes in the bottom for drainage. Then, the only other hardware you will need is the brackets for attaching them to your house.

To keep them from becoming too heavy from the dirt you will need for planting the flowers, you can fill the bottom half of the window boxes with packing peanuts (which are also good for drainage, but also will retain moisture enough to keep your flowers happy), and then fill the top of the window boxes with good potting soil. You should be able to fill two window boxes with one flat of your favorite flowers, but you might also want to include a few trailing vines and just a couple smaller flowers of an accent color.

This is a relatively small project that will get you moving in the direction of bringing a bright splash of color to your home and garden, even if you can’t do everything you might want to do out there this summer!

Remember, a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step, so get moving! Take that first, small step and you will be delighted with the results. Have a great summer, and enjoy the beauty of the season.

~~ Vintage Mama 36

Stumbling with Dad

by Heather Barrett When I first learned to walk, it was not like the ways other kids learned. I more or less just stumbled about wherever I went.

Not much has changed in 30 plus years. As I grew, I graduated from a walker, to crutches and eventually to walking on my own. Actually, I just became a better stumbler.

My favorite aid to assist me in the process was my father.

My Daddy, in his prime, stood six feet-seven inches tall! He was known among my friends as “The Giant”! Daddy was a very strong guy and this really showed when he was walking with me. I can’t remember ever falling. He somehow always managed to catch me and keep me steady. Although Daddy couldn’t physically keep me from stumbling, he did everything he could to keep me from falling. When I did fall, Daddy did everything he could to comfort me and encourage me to get back up and try again.

I have another Father who does the exact same thing; God. He is so big and strong. He holds me in His arms at all times. Even though He doesn’t always remove all the stumbling blocks from my life, He does guide me down the paths and He is there to pick me up when I fall. It has been a long time since I have gotten to stumble beside my daddy. I grew up as little girls do and my path did not always cross with his. I suppose the last time I got to stumble with him was down the church aisle at my wedding when he handed me over to the man that I will stumble my life away with. After I had my two precious babies, I had a hip replacement, which has helped my stumbling a lot.

My Daddy is no longer here on this earth to stumble about with me. And even though when I reach heaven, I won’t be stumbling anymore, I know that both my Fathers will be waiting to walk me down those streets of gold!

Heather Barrett is a stay at home mom (SAHM) from Murfreesboro, TN. She and her husband Bryan have been married for 12 years. They have an 11 year old son, Dalton, and an 8 year old daughter, Bobby Sue. Visit Heather’s blog at crippledmama.blogspot.com

The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings!"

Treasures can be found everywhere you look, and here at "Tatters to Treasures" we will bring you the best of vintage for your wardrobe and home. www.tatterstotreasures.etsy.com

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Father’s Day Cards for the Kids to Make for Dad! from the craft corner of Vintage Mama How many ways can you tell your Daddy that you love him?

We found several great ideas on the Kaboose website that you might want to try. Help the kids make their own Father’s Day card, or even a card-sized photo album. Sometimes it is the little things in life that mean the most, and since it is frequently tricky to figure out what kind of gift Dad might like, these cards can express your love in very personal ways.

This little collage card could be made to reflect any of Dad’s hobbies, including this one that features fishing gear.

Now here’s a card that not only says “I Love YOU!” but also is a practical way to help Dad add to his tool box!

The other great thing about making your own Father’s Day cards is that you can create a card that reflects your Dad’s favorite hobbies! Here are a few ideas to get you started, and then be sure to visit the Kaboose website for specific instructions and even more great ideas for kid’s crafts to make for Father’s Day. Another fishing theme card, but you can make this one with scraps of paper, buttons or googly eyes, and toothpicks!

Is your Dad a nature-lover? How about a hunter or a birdwatcher? This tri-fold card incorporates actual items from nature such as bark and twigs, along with stickers of pheasants, and of course, a message of love for Dad! An image of a vintage car for a Dad who is interested in all things that go zoom! You could use this for the cover of a small photo album for Dad, with pictures of him with his first car, or pictures of the kids riding in Dad’s favorite hotrod!

Find more great ideas for Father’s Day cards and crafts at www.crafts.kaboose.com 38

Prince Charming or a Frog?

by Deborah McCarragher Do you ever look at your spouse and think, “I thought I was supposed to end up with a Prince Charming. Isn’t that what fairy tales are all about?”

Whatever happened to hopes and dreams and ideals? Did we really think we’d end up living in a make believe world? Were our expectations unrealistic when we said, “I do”? Short of being swept away by a knight in shining armor – I’d say many of us would settle for the frog, as long as we had a chance of having it turn into a prince, right?

The world collectively held its breath as we watched the pageantry of the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. We anxiously waited for the magic kiss as they stepped onto the palace balcony before thousands of loyal subjects, eager to share in their marital bliss.

Let’s get real here… most of us will never marry a prince, much less see one. But there is a subtle parallel between a famous fairy tale and the fact that we are royalty – daughters of the King of Kings.

In the story The Frog Prince, by the Brothers Grimm, we have a recital of love in an unlikely pairing. The tale began when the young princess took a walk by herself in the woods and rested by a cool spring of water. She had a particular golden ball which she favored as a play toy, and as she was tossing it into the air and catching it, the ball rolled into the water.

Crying, she lamented that she would give everything up – her fine clothes, jewels, and all her riches in order to have it back again.

While she was speaking, a frog’s head emerged out of the water and inquired as to reason for her weeping.

She was startled by his presence and with distain

she said, “Alas! What can you do for me, you nasty frog? My golden ball has fallen into the spring.”

The frog merely stated that he was not interested in her riches, but if she would love him, and allow him to reside with her, eat with her and sleep in her bed chambers, he would retrieve her prized toy. She agreed and the frog dove into the water and came up with the ball in his mouth, placing it onto the edge of the spring.

As it happened, when the princess saw her golden ball, she ran to pick it up, forgetting all about the frog and his honorable deed. The next day, as she sat down to dinner, she heard a strange noise – as if something was gently knocking at the door. It was the frog! He said: “Open the door, my princess dear; open the door to thy true love here!

And mind the words that thou and I said, by the fountain cool, in the greenwood shade.”

The King, her father, seeing that something was wrong, asked her what it was. “There is a nasty frog at the door,” she said, “that lifted my ball for me out of the spring yesterday morning.” “I told him he should live with me here, thinking that he could never get out of the spring; but here he is – waiting at the door.”

The king said to the young princess, “As you have given your word – so you must keep it; so go and let him in.” She obliged her father the king and opened the door. The frog hopped into the room, then up to the table where he insisted on sitting next to her to share in her meal.

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Afterwards, he asked to be carried upstairs to be put into her bed. At daylight, the frog disappeared. Thinking that he was gone for good, she resumed her day.

But she was sadly mistaken; for when night came again, she heard the same strange noise as the day before. Tap, tap on the door and the same plea as before. Again she let the frog accompany her to the dinner table and upstairs to bed.

So – did I miss something here? What about the princess placing a well-planted kiss on the frog’s lips? Maybe that was another fable – but nonetheless – there is a moral to this story: Next time there’s a frog at your doorway – you might want to let him in! No, seriously; let’s look at this story from another prospective: Who is your prince charming? Should we really put that weight on the shoulders of our husband, or someone else who can handle the weight of the whole world?

And as before, at day break, the frog disappeared once more. The third night repeated the whole scenario – right down to the frog laying its head on her pillow.

But, when the princess awoke on the following morning she was astonished to see, instead of the frog, a handsome prince, gazing on her with the most beautiful eyes she had ever beheld, as he stood at the head of her bed.

He told her that he had been enchanted by a spiteful fairy, which had changed him into a frog. His fate had been to remain a frog until such time as a princess should take him out of the spring, and let him eat from her plate, and sleep upon her bed for three nights.

There is a Prince [Charming], who not only laid His life down for you, but who also wants to spend eternity with you in His Father’s Kingdom. It isn’t any ordinary kingdom – but a place where the streets are pure gold and precious gems line the walls of the Celestial metropolis. There are mansions dotting the landscape and a crystal clear river running through it. Jesus Christ Himself prepared this place for us and He will usher in His Bride to their everlasting abode.

“You,” said the prince, “have broken this cruel charm, and now I have nothing to wish for but that you should go with me into my father’s kingdom, where I will marry you, and love you as long as you live.”

Our Prince knocks at the door of our hearts – waiting for the invitation to dine with us and abide with us. He desires fellowship with us; that we might enjoy the closeness He has with His Father. We are unaware of His beauty until we behold His Face and gaze into His loving eyes.

The young princess was not long in saying ‘Yes’ to all this; and as they spoke, a stunning coach drove up, with eight beautiful horses, decked with a golden harness and plumes of feathers. The king gave his blessing and they departed for the prince’s kingdom, where they lived happily ever after.

Make haste and kiss the Son. He is your Prince of Peace and King of the universe. He who cherishes His betrothed will come for her soon.

Say “Yes” to His proposal and receive the blessing of His Father. You can live happily ever after for all eternity with Jesus Christ.

(Ref: John 14:1-3; Revelation 3:20; Revelation 21-22) You can read more of Deborah’s posts on her blog, www.godmissionpossible.blogspot.com 40

Printable Father’s Day Cards Just print out these cards and let the kids color them. Then glue them onto the front of a folded sheet of cardstock. Add your message to Dad and you’ve got your very own, hand-made Father’s Day card!

A Dad is . . .

A Dad is respected because he gives his children leadership.

A Dad is appreciated because he gives his children care.

A Dad is valued because he gives his children time.

A Dad is loved because he gives his children the one thing they treasure most - himself. ~ Author Unknown

A Father Means...

A Father means so many things... an understanding heart, a source of strength and loving care, right from the very start.

A constant readiness to help, in kind and thoughtful ways, encouragement and forgiveness all our days.

No matter where our path may lead, we carry Father’s love and kindness, too.

A father means so many things when he's a man like you.... ~ Author Unknown

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How to Clean Up a REALLY Big Mess!

by Vintage Mama Apparently I thought it was just common sense, or

something that everyone was born knowing. But then I've been wrong before . . . . and I got this one wrong, for sure!

I've been a wife and a mom for a long time, and over the years I've observed the "I Don't Have a Clue Where To Start" syndrome whenever you ask a husband or a child to clean up a mess.

I've watched them wander around, mumbling and whining, with shoulders slumped and head hanging down, tripping over stuff and kicking things. I've even observed my children look at me with that stunned look (like I just asked them to crawl across hot coals to get to their popsicle), and then sit right down in the middle of a mess. Like that's going to work!

When we moved into our new house it was late in October, so it was getting pretty cold.

We stashed everything in the garage (it's pretty big) and just took inside what we could find, what we needed, or what the kids thought they couldn't live without. You know, things like the "My Favorite Princess" puzzle with ten pieces missing . . . . . and the Dora doll with no hair. Stuff like that. Gotta have it ;o) And of course, our Daddy needed his salad shredder, George Forman grill, and the TV remote. Me, all I needed was the stuff for my sewing studio, some clothes, and a couple pair of shoes. I'm a pretty low-maintenance chick. Well, maybe we did need the shampoo and deodorant, underwear, and some food.

But that's about it. Back in October.

And then it got cold. Really cold, all winter here in the Midwest, and so not much stuff moved from out of the garage to inside the house. But a bunch of "junk" (where the heck did THAT come from???) got thrown out into the garage, because we would grab whatever was deemed unworthy of remaining inside the house, dash out to the garage and toss it into the closest empty space. And then run, shivering, back inside the house.

So, now it's June, and it is warm, and it's time to clean up that mess and have a garage sale. Which is going to happen soon, when the whole neighborhood is planning to have a community sale. Can't put it off much longer! So, here are my observations, and some advice, if you are facing the daunting task of Cleaning Up a Really Big Mess: 1. Don't wander around, and definitely don't sit down in the middle of all of the junk.

Get started!

2. Pick something up. Anything, just pick it up. And make a decision: Keep it, trash it, or get rid of it.

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3. OK now that you're moving (a little bit) the first thing that will really help you feel like you are making progress, is to get a bunch of trash bags. Yep, trash bags. Because lots of the "stuff" that we keep actually should have been tossed in the trash can months ago.

4. Pick up everything you can see that you know is trash . . . in our case, since we packed to move across the country, there was lots and lots of packing paper and tape. Just throw it away. Don't move it from one pile to another, just throw it away. And when the trash bag is full, close it up and put it OUTSIDE of where you are working. This is very important!

5. Keep those trash bags handy, because every time you open another box or look under the bed, or open a cupboard, you will probably find MORE trash. Why do we do this? I saw a TV program once about people who are addicted hoarders. I think that is what they were called . . . .. people who keep everything, until they are so overwhelmed by stuff that they have a breakdown, or have to move out of their house, or whatever nasty consequences might come from drowning in all of your old junk.

6. Now, take a deep breath and go get a cup of coffee or a soda, or whatever. Because this next step is really important to making this job a success.

7. Start in one corner or one side of whatever you are cleaning: a bedroom, a kitchen, a garage, a sewing room, the garden, your yard . . . . it works no matter what you are trying to clean up and organize.

8. Move EVERYTHING out of that corner or that side of whatever you are cleaning. In our case, it was the garage, so we started by moving everything out of one corner (from the corner out about 10' on each side, because you don't want too big of an area that you get overwhelmed) - just move it anywhere OUT of that corner. If you need to wash walls, vacuum, sweep, wash windows, or paint, now is the best time to do that.

9. NOW you have ONE place that is cleaned up . . . . . and you can move shelves into that area (after you take everything off of them, of course!), or put up hooks, or hang pictures or curtains, or whatever your project requires.

Then, once you have the shelves, hooks, or other storage in place in your nice, clean corner, you can begin to tackle ONE pile at a time.

10. Begin to sort through one pile, one box, one bag, whatever you have, and again make some decisions. If it is TRASH, throw it away (FAR away, out of the room where you are working). If you want to get rid of it but it is still too good to throw in the trash, get a box or a bag and mark on it: "Garage Sale" or "Thrift Shop" or "Salvation Army." Then as you come across stuff to get rid of, place it in the box or bag. And set that outside of your working area, too!

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11. Finally, if you want to keep it and you need it everyday (then why is it in this mess in the first place?), put it in your closet or your dresser drawer or wherever it belongs. If it is something to keep but not necessarily use everyday, put it on a storage shelf in your garage or basement, or storage room.

12. There! Now, you have one corner cleaned out and orderly. Now you need to move to the next corner and repeat the process. I know that there will probably be "stuff" that you aren't sure about. Don't let that slow you down! Put it in ANOTHER box marked "Sort This Again Later" or something like that. Otherwise you might go into Brain Overload and that ALWAYS leads to wandering around with the "I Don't Have a Clue Where To Start" syndrome. And mumbling to yourself.

13. It might be a good idea to take a nap after you get one corner finished, so you are all rested up to tackle the next corner. But in any event, this process works, and will minimize your tendency to sit down in the middle of the mess and order a pizza.

If you have a helpful household hint, send your ideas to Ruby for Women at editor@rubyforwomen.com and we’ll include them in an upcoming issue of our ezine.

Celebrate the first day of summer with a 3 day Blog Bash!

The first annual Blog Bash 2011 is coming soon this summer Do you want more followers?

Do you want to meet new bloggers and discover new blogs?

You can be a part of Blog Bash 2011!

-you must host a giveaway on your blog with the total prize value equal to or more than $100 -giveaways will start on June 22 12:00 AM and end on June 24 11:59 PM (this is a 3 day event)

Readers will hop from blog to blog and enter each giveaway for the 3 day period.

IT IS FREE to be a participating blogger!

Blog Bash will be heavily promoted, so a big turnout of give-away entrants is expected.

Want to participate? Please email contact@familyapprove.com and you will be emailed with more information.

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June in the Prayer Garden

by Tom Clarke Some suggest that the Gethsemane Prayer Garden peaks in color in June, but really the colors of June continue throughout the summer. The theme of blue/purple tones from May changes again in June, this time keeping the blues but adding soft, gentle, bright and bold pinks and reds. There are some whites such as found in the mock orange bush, but predominantly the garden is pink with blue, purple and white tones.

The roses are the stunning centerpiece of this garden: the pink ones remind us of Christ's softness and gentleness; the white ones bring to mind His purity and elegance; and the red roses remind us of His unfailing love for us. Our perfect rose, "crucified in weakness" (2 Cor 13:4 NIV), without spot or blemish, was jeered at, mocked, beaten, flogged and tortured. He loves us that much. The roses typically open in the second half of June, and they last most years through Thanksgiving.

The blue, purple and white delphinium open in June for their first blossoming; a second blooming period typically occurs in late summer. We see the coral bells during June as well, and we have both a deep red and pink varieties. More similar to a delicately pitched melody than a loud clanging gong, the ornate and fancy bellflower also shows up for more than a month of color. With these and many other flowers, June offers a pleasant mix of color, fragrance and early summer warmth.

Tom Clarke is Caretaker of the Gethsemane Prayer Garden in Syracuse, New York and author of "A Garden of Love" www.agardenoflove.com which is based on this garden.

Invitation to Visit the Gethsemane Prayer Garden

by Tom Clarke Located in Syracuse, New York, the Gethsemane Prayer Garden at Faith Chapel is a place where people can enjoy the beauty of God our Creator and rest in His presence. The garden is open to the public without a fee (www.prayergardeners.com/gethsemane/index.html).

The hope at Faith Chapel is that people would visit this small but intimate garden, seeing it as an outdoor sanctuary and a place to experience God and His love.

There are fifty perennial flower varieties and several hundred shrubs and trees; benches are available for a quiet time with the Lord.

Syracuse is located at the crossroads if I-90 and I-81; if you are traveling from the mid-west to New England, Syracuse is a good stopping place. And if you live in Pennsylvania or Maryland and are traveling towards Montreal, please pay us a visit.

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To Cameron Archer (a grandfather’s heart on a new life)

Today is your day, child of this time, blood of my blood.

You have my father’s name, wear it well.

Fly arrow-straight to the marks that stand before you, invitations to understanding.

Yours too will be tomorrow as my tomorrows fall away and grey at temples’ edge.

I give you no wisdom, no sage’s discerning: I wish you discovery without pain as you bawl and crawl and grow into life with scraped knees toughened on forgiving grass.

I wish you the sight of beauteous creation then vision enough to recognise its source and inspiration.

I wish you the sounds of trees and symphonies of raucous birds, tears of laughter to adorn your cheeks and more love than you can value.

God is very Near

by Connie Arnold

In the silence of the morning while the grass is wet with dew, as the sun slowly brightens a day that’s fresh and new, the chirping of a bird is the only sound you hear, and awareness dawns within that God is very near.

In the hustle and the bustle of a busy, active day, with no time for reflection as you go along your way, the beauty may be missed, nature’s sound you may not hear, but although you may be unaware, God still is very near.

If I have a gift within me it’s yours without asking.

Be still, and know, my other Father watches you.

In the ending of the day, at the fading of the light as you make your preparations to go to bed at night, before you close your eyes, as the nighttime sounds you hear, give thanks that you can sleep in peace since God is very near.

~~ by Keith Wallis

© Connie Arnold 46

Inspired Women Succeed Changing the Face of Success

by Jo Ann Fore Inspired Women Succeed redefines success. In this book of courage and hope, you will connect with forty brave-hearted Christian women entrepreneurs who faced unfathomable trials with heroic faith. This passionate group of women authentically shares their life-transforming stories.

Breathe in their heartfelt words and experience a rich inspiration woven throughout the book, like an intricate, delicate tapestry. Be inspired as these women discover their life’s passion. Be challenged by their words as you learn to use your own life experiences as a catalyst for success.

One common denominator runs deep through these stories: inspiration.

This book is about real women doing real life. Our goal is to be transparent, and to offer you that same permission. In some way, each of these women’s stories is a piece of our own. Maybe the circumstances of fallout are not quite the same, but the emotionally expensive lessons are quite similar.

What is an inspired woman?

An inspired woman is easy to recognize. We are passionate and seek to live life to the fullest. We can be a bit moody; at times, happy and sweet, and other times cranky and tired. We share with people who need us, too often giving our time away. We anticipate problems before they are spoken, and strive to stay strong in troubled times. Inspired women work really hard. We can do surprising, downright amazing things, when pushed.

What is success? What scoreboard determines true success? Must we be famous? Rich? Well-credentialed experts? Whether we acknowledge it or not, the way we measure success greatly impacts our lives.

As Christian women, our success is inspired from a sense of calling; measured by our loyalty to God in spite of life’s circumstances or outcome.

Inspired Women Succeed is a heart song for women; full of faithful, successful women who stepped out. Amazing things happen when women follow their inspiration.

For a free download of the first chapter, visit www.inspiredwomensucceed.com.

Jo Ann Fore (www.JoAnnFore.com) is an author, writing coach, certified Life Coach, and coauthor, alongside Diane Cunningham (www.DianeCunningham.com) of the book, Inspired Women Succeed. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of other women. Visit Jo Ann at www.soyouwanttowrite.org.

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A Real Change International with Sandi Krakowski Sandi Krakowski, renowned social media coach and founder of A Real Change International, has spent years developing programs that turn small businesses into multi-million dollar companies. Her personal success in the business world has made her coaching sessions, eBooks and online marketing classes extremely popular.

If you are looking to make A Real Change in YOUR life, visit Sandi at her website, A Real Change International at www.arealchange.com/blog/

www.sewendless.etsy.com

Dove Chocolate Discoveries Chocolatier Sharon Rowley, Sr. Manager Enjoy the sweet life with me – Exclusive chocolate products, home tasting parties or a ground-floor opportunity with a brand name company.

It can be Your Sweet Life!

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Empowering Christian Women ~~Online Christian Resource Center ~~ with Karla Meachum Connecting you with Christ-centered resources and ministries that will EMPOWER you in your daily walk with Christ! www.empoweringchristianwomen.com 48

Picnic Yummies Word Search Puzzle

by Beth Brubaker Brubaker

Answers on page 54.

Ruby for Women is searching for . . .

Questions!

We need your help! Ruby is looking for questions in the following areas: * “Ask Beth” * “Ask a Silly Question” Can you give us a hand? Please send your questions to Beth Brubaker at bethatruby@aol.com with one of the two titles in the subject line of your email. Your response is very much appreciated!

Visit Alabaster Box Publishing, Inc. where you will find “Mission Possible”

by Deborah McCarragher 49

Draft Your Book in Two Weeks

by Thomas B. Clarke “Looking out from our retreat’s mountaintop cabin, the valleys below are filled with the morning fog, like gentle, white pillows resting between the hills; the air is still as the new day unfolds. Slowly the scene changes as the sun warms the white blanket, alternately rising and falling. A new day is before us; another day to love.”

So begins my newest book, A Garden of Love. As I review the words that flowed from my fingers as I wrote from our mountaintop retreat, I am still in awe. In a two-week period, I read the entire New Testament and authored the first draft of A Garden of Love. I was fulfilling a calling that the Lord had placed in me and was following the voice of my Lord.

My wife and I went to the Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park near Cooperstown, NY without knowing what to expect. What we found was a most peaceful log cabin: all wood interior, two bedrooms, full kitchen with dishwasher and appliances, bath with shower, electric heat, and miles of remote woodlands and farm fields. There was a TV that we did not turn on, phone if we needed it, and no internet which turned out to be a blessing.

The aura of this cabin illustrates the first essential for effective writing: find a very comfortable location. Your retreat location may be near a stream, on a lovely lake or the ocean, or in the woods, but certainly not in your back yard or in your neighborhood. You need to get away, truly putting the cares of home in a different place. You may find that your writing style changes.

“A meadow of white and yellow wildflowers sits below the cabin.

Clusters of black-eyed Susans dot the large field, only to be surrounded by a profusion of white Queen Anne’s lace. Closer inspection reveals pink clover and purple asters that complement the spectrum. The grace and beauty of our Lord is revealed once again; His love for us is never ending.”

My goal seemed very aggressive to my wife: read the entire New Testament from Matthew to Revelation and to write the book that I described. She thought I would get a good start on the book, but I most certainly would not finish it. A second essential for effective writing is to set a goal and then have the determination to meet it.

You will need to bring your laptop with word processor. For a Christian non-fiction book, bring your personal Bible(s), a dictionary, whatever Bible software you use such as PC Study Bible or Logos, and other written reference material that is appropriate to your subject. Remember, there probably is no internet which would be a distraction anyway.

A Garden of Love identifies thirty flowers from the Gethsemane Prayer Garden where I am the Caretaker. I brought many beautiful photographs from the garden that I wanted to select from. My purpose in writing this book was to illustrate how flowers can oftentimes inspire a Scriptural application of love. Having a distinct vision of your book is a third essential for effective writing.

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“As the air gets warmer on this September morning, the grasshoppers have started their late summer song, dragon flies have begun mating, and butterflies flit from place to place, from flower to flower, in a seemingly random flight to nowhere. Off in the distance, king birds fly from place to place searching for food, robins patiently listen for the movement of a worm, and Canada geese anxiously seek out their next cornfield. God’s creation is teaching us how to love.”

I worked hard during those two weeks, waking at five or six in the morning and working until ten or eleven at night. Each day I read eighteen to twenty chapters of the Bible, Matthew to Revelation, although not in that order. As I read, I took notes and then wrote as I was inspired. By having all of this fresh in my mind, I believe that a better product resulted.

Each day I wrote some of the book, stopping only to go grocery shopping, cook the meals, do the dishes, and attend church services. The enemy Satan attempted to discourage me, but I would have no part of that. It is essential in order to be effective to be able to overcome discouragement in the name of Jesus.

Completing your first draft is not the end. Afterwards, there will be many hours of editing and follow-up verification to ensure that your statements are correct, every Bible reference is correct, the manuscript flows properly, and all your English is spelled correctly and linguistically correct.

A Garden of Love contains 20,000 words, fifty color photographs, and is prose. If your book is to be used as reference material, this dedicated pace may be completely inappropriate. But if your book contains many Biblical insights, life-style illustrations, or is fiction, this approach may be just what you need.

Here’s the greatest part, during that two-week period, I was more at peace than any other time in my life. The Lord deeply and profoundly revealed His love and how He wants me to respond. As I sat down to write about each flower, I rarely had a predisposed idea of what to say or how I would say it; the Holy Spirit was once again at work. The Lord was teaching me about His true love. Your topic may not be the same as mine, but hearing His voice with the resultant peace should be common to each of us.

To write your book in two weeks, you need to know that you are called by God to write it, find a comfortable and isolated place where you can do so, bring the writing tools that you need, have a distinct vision of your book, and be able to overcome discouragement. The most essential ingredient is the ability to listen to the promptings from the Lord. The benefits, if successful, are not tiredness or weariness, but profound rest and peace.

Thomas B. Clarke works as a computer software developer, caretaker of his church’s prayer garden, and is the author of three books including A Garden of Love. www.Bible-Discernments.com

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National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs

Linda Jones, the artist and creator of Visual Smiles Gallery www.LindaGJ.Etsy.com

Visit National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs and discover 90 Days to Marketing Success! The National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs was born out of a passion to connect women who are ready to create, collaborate, and contribute to changing the world.

We gather people and ideas together through online content, tele-courses, individual / group coaching, and retreats. Our desire is to unite under a common goal of helping one another to succeed and thrive in business. We are blessed to share in a common faith in Jesus Christ, and yet know that we might each choose to worship in a different way.

www.nacwe.org

www.youcanmakethis.com

Whimsical and charming artistic gifts for every occasion!

www.madeitforyou.com

you.com

Abundant Comfort and Grace Inspirational Poetry by Connie Arnold

www.conniearnold.blogspot.com

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The Write Companion was created by authors who truly believe that the writer is the precious gem in the publishing business.

Each and every writer should have the option to let their creativity and imagination shine and end up with a manuscript that will grace both bookshelves and bestseller lists. From TWC you’ll receive quality proofreading, editing, research, ghostwriting services, and a real friend to help you meet your goals so that your ideas have a chance to be seen and enjoyed by book lovers across the globe.

Contact Amy Lignor at amylignor@hotmail.com or fill out the contact form about your project at www.thewritecompanion.com. As an author who has struggled with industry highs and lows, as well as the vast expenses that companies charge the writer, I very much want to help authors polish their manuscripts so their careers can take off! I look forward to working with you.

Have fun while earning Host Rewards—free or half-price Scentsy Products—when you host your own Scentsy party.

Scentsy we make perfect scents!

Amy Lignor, Owner

Katherine’s Corner Welcome to the Forest Hill Soap Company We are a small, family-owned business specializing in luxurious homemade bath and body products. Our cold process soaps are handcrafted, from scratch, in small quantities using traditional methods.

Our ingredients include the finest vegetable oils along with essential oils, quality fragrance oils and other skin nourishing additives. We invite you to browse our site and discover distinctive body care products to create a luxurious spa experience in your own home. www.foresthillsoaps.com

Visit Katie for recipes, crafts, give give-aways, humor, photography, women’s wisdom, and so much more! www.katherinescorner.com 53

Dad’s Favorite Number Block Puzzle Answer Key

by Beth Brubaker

Picnic Yummies Word Search Puzzle Answer Key

by Beth Brubaker

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Vintage Image Craft

Instant Vintage Images Beautiful Retro Crafts Cards & Scrapbook Projects www.vintageimagecraft.com

More vintage images to use for your Father’s Day cards and crafts!

You can find more vintage images by visiting Vintage Image Craft at www.vintageimagecraft.com

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Meet the Ruby for Women Writers Aunt Dots, Master Gardener Aunt Dots has been writing for Ruby for Women since the very beginning. Her love for gardening started early in her life: “I believe I got my love for growing flowers from my mother. She had a large flower garden with annuals and dahlias. I had my first flower garden after I married and we lived in a garden apartment. I planted seeds in a small 4 X 6 plot in front. Then we moved to a house trailer next to my mother where I had annuals.” She now has perennial gardens, rose gardens, grape vines, asparagus, currants, gooseberries, walnut trees, apple trees, and hazelnut trees. In the winter months, Aunt Dots sews, making quilts that she has donated to a Mennonite Relief auction. She has also made hand-made paper and greeting cards with pressed flowers. In her “spare” time, Aunt Dots volunteers two afternoons a week at a nursing home, as well as serving on the mission board at her church and teaching an adult Sunday school class.

Scott Henderson, Vintage Image Crafts Scott is the creator of Vintage Image Crafts, a website where vintage images are the inspiration behind all of the crafts and scrapbooking projects. From the romantic to the whimsical, Victorian and turn-of-the-century illustrations can give your creativity a distinctive touch. These classic illustrations and photographs are rich in color, artistic technique and symbolism. This bygone art captures the essence of life's highlights - holidays, celebrations and sentiments – vividly. You can find Scott at www.vintageimagecrafts.com

Beth Brubaker, Footprints in the Mud and Ask Beth Beth is the “Family Fun” editor here in the Ruby for Women community. She is a mother of two very active kids whose antics are sprinkled liberally in her columns.

She has been married for 13 years to her Knight in Shining Armor, and she is delighted to share with us that they still hold hands in public! Her day job is working as a fabric artist, a homemaker, and a writer. Beth will be writing humorous articles about life in general, puzzles, and an advice column that is based on readers’ questions, as well as sharing hints and tips for everyday life that she comes across in her travels between her laundry room, living room, and kitchen. Don’t miss Beth’s columns in every issue of Ruby for Women!

You can read more of Beth’s posts on her blog, “Footprints in the Mud” at www.footprintsinthemudblog.blogspot.com or email her at bethatruby@aol.com

Rochelle Martin, Gardener’s Delight Quilt Block Project Rochelle is the owner of her quilt pattern company, Cottage Quilt Designs, which she started in December of 2004. Her quilt designs are featured in quilting magazines, books by House of White Birches, fabric companies, and various fabric shops and online shops. Rochelle contributes a quilt block pattern in every issue of Ruby for Women ezine that can be used to create a complete quilt design, Gardener’s Delight. You can find more of Rochelle’s designs at the following sites: www.cottagequiltdesigns.com www.cottagequiltdesigns.info/blog 56

Lynn Mosher, Devotions Since the year 2000, Lynn Mosher has lived with fibromyalgia and other physical conditions. During this time, the Lord placed the desire in her heart to write for Him. Now, armed with God’s purpose for her life and a new passion, she reaches out to others to encourage and comfort them through her writing, giving God all the glory.

She lives with her husband in their empty nest in Kentucky. On occasion, their three offspring, who have flown the coop, come to visit, accompanied by a son-inlaw and three granddaughters. Visit Lynn at her blog, Heading Home, at www.lynnmosher.blogspot.com

Carolyn Arnold, Kids’ Craft Editor Carolyn Arnold is a stay-at-home mom. She has been married for fifteen years to Craig and they have five children. Carolyn has written many poems and has recently expanded her writing to novels. She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Elementary Education and holds a current teaching license.

Carolyn enjoys doing memory crafts with her children, teaching aerobics at the YMCA, tending her family's ducks and chickens, swimming, and reading.

Eldridge "Lady E" Cole, Guest Writer Eldridge "Lady E" Cole is a high spirited, fun loving creatively talented leader with a passion for helping others. She enjoys teaching people how to live beyond mediocrity and she leads by example. Ms Cole is a dynamic, charismatic (sometimes animated) inspirational speaker. Ms Cole speaks from the heart drawing from some of her courageous life experiences as her platform of wisdom. Eldridge pours her passion for creativity and out-of thebox thinking into everything she does.

Bernadette Collins, The Living Well Nurse Bernadette Collins, The Living Well Nurse, offers advice and encouragement to women seeking guidance on improving their health and wellbeing. She partners with a medical doctor to provide health prevention coaching and information. Bernadette has authored articles on nutrition, diabetes, menopause, heart health and exercise for the Ruby for Women community.

Heide Louise Wright, Poetry God has been such a rock for me throughout my life. I suffered with anorexia for 10 years and only He and He alone can take credit for my recovery. He walked me through it step by step and now I know without a doubt He wants me to share my story with the world and help others overcome as well.

Heather Barrett, Guest Writer Heather Barrett is a stay at home mom (SAHM) from Murfreesboro, TN. She and her husband Bryan have been married for 12 years. They have an 11 year old son, Dalton, and an 8 year old daughter, Bobby Sue. Visit Heather’s blog at crippledmama.blogspot.com 57

Katherine Corrigan, Recipes and Crafts Hello, my name is Katherine. I am an open minded and spiritual person who strives to always maintain a positive attitude and greet each new day with grace, dignity and gratitude. I'm honored to meet you and to call you friend! I am originally from England and now living in the US. I have had the privilege of living in, and visiting, several different countries throughout my lifetime. I hold a rare dual citizenship with the UK and the USA, and I am a proud citizen of both. I work very hard to create designs for my shops and to provide an entertaining and informative website and blog. I hope you’ll stop by. Hugs, Katherine www.madeitforyou.com www.giftsbykatherine.com www.goaskkatie.com

Jennifer Cirka, Crochet Patterns and Recipes Jennifer Cirka, the designer behind Jaybird Designs, is never without a hook and some yarn in her hands! This Crochet Guild of America recognized Professional Crochet Designer has a book of her girls’ sweater designs with Leisure Arts and has been featured in major crochet magazines such as Crochet Today, Interweave Crochet, and Crochet World, with more publications coming out each year! www.jaybirddesigns.com www.jaybirddesigns.blogspot.com www.etsy.com/shop/JaybirdDesigns

Connie Arnold, Poetry Married with 2 children, 3 grandsons, author of Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace, Abiding Hope and Love, and Abundant Comfort and Grace, recently published by RPJ & Company. Visit my website to read more poetry. My first children's book, Animal Sound Mix-up, is now available from Guardian Angel Publishing. www.conniearnold.blogspot.com

Sheila Watson, Kraklow, Guest Writer, DoveQuill Publishers Sheila is the author of several books, including “Nana’s Great BIG Storybook,” and “A Mission for Leedle Burro,” as well as a cookbook filled with her “sassy recipe” articles. Sheila is also the owner of DoveQuill Publishing Company. www.dove-quill-publishing.com

Deborah McCarragher, Devotional Contributor Deborah is the author of a Christian inspirational book for women titled “Mission Possible”. The book addresses living in a spiritually-uneven household. You can visit her website at www.AlabasterBoxPublishing.com for more information about her book.

Lee E. Shilo, Resident Storyteller Amy Lignor, The Write Companion Amy Lignor is the founder of Write Companion. Her blog touches on various subjects important to the industry like the power of social networking for authors, the world of self-publishing and how it’s starting to make the normal way of doing business obsolete, as well as subjects dealing with the art of writing, film, books, the classics, daily life, etc. that will hopefully inspire authors while adding a laugh or two to their day.

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Keith Wallis, Poetry Keith Wallis is an English poet with decades of experience from the era of the “small press” to the era of “the web.” He’s been on this planet since 1949 when, by a strange manipulation of the universe, he arrived early and halfcooked. He is a husband, a father, and grandfather. His first chapbook of poems, “Wordsculptures,” owes its title to him being called a “Wordsculptor” by a colleague thirty years ago, and the name just stuck. His occupation is in engineering design, but he sees poetry as a “gifting” and works hard to keep it in shape. Relaxation comes via dabbling in artwork and photo manipulation. He is currently a moderator at ChristianWriters.com. His particular interest is the use of the language of poetry within a worship environment – church (where he is on the leadership team) is getting used to being “experimented” on when he leads services! www.wordsculptures.com www.christianwriters.com www.wordbrief.blogspotcom

Thomas B. Clarke, “A Garden of Love” I am the caretaker of the Gethsemane Prayer Garden in Syracuse, NY, and an author/publisher of Christian books. Both gardening and writing are part-time jobs for me, but they are my heartfelt passion: to help others experience Jesus Christ in a more personal way and to grow in love.

Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor Amanda has been writing for Ruby for Women for the past six months, and she has been a free-lance writer for several years, beginning her writing career as a young teen-ager. She also works for Love Unveiled, a ministry to women in undeveloped countries around the world. Amanda brings experience as well as a passion for ministry to the work of Ruby for Women, and she has a heart for reaching out and touching the hearts and lives of women everywhere. Amanda will be working with all of our writers on their submissions, as well as assisting in keeping the Ruby for Women blog and website up-to-date with new information daily.

Nina Newton, Sr. Editor When all of my four older children were in school, I returned to college as a “non-traditional student.” Eventually, I earned degrees in Classics and Philosophy, and a graduate degree in Medieval Studies: History of Theology.

After teaching at a small community college in Michigan for seven years, my husband and I were blessed with the adoption of our two beautiful daughters, Gracie and Annie.

Gracie is 10 years old and Annie is 8. They were both born in China, and we were able to travel to China two times to bring our daughters home. We live in northern Indiana in a small farming community where I work from my home office. For the past six years I have been designing and creating children’s clothing and various crafts. I began writing ebook patterns for my designs in 2007, and have several patterns available for sale on You Can Make This at www.youcanmakethis.com. I have also been a free-lance writer for many years, writing for two local newspapers when we lived in Michigan. My personal blog is at www.mamaslittletreasures.typepad.com where I frequently post tutorials and patterns for crafts and other sewing projects, as well as weekly reflections on life as a woman, wife, mother, and daughter of the King.

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Credits and Copyrights All stories and articles are copyright by the authors.

All pictures and images are copyright by the authors and / or have been purchased, used by permission or are in the public domain. If any pictures or images have been used inadvertently, and they do not belong in this publication, please email us and we will immediately remove them.

Nothing in this issue of Ruby for Women may be reproduced, copied, or shared without the permission of the author.

Advertising information is available at www.rubyforwomen.com/advertise Questions? Email Nina @ editor@rubyforwomen.com Or Amanda @ ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Ruby for Women is published by rubyforwomen.com All submission inquiries should be directed to Nina Newton, Sr. Editor Ruby for Women editor@rubyforwomen.com or Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Graphic design by Jorim http://jorimslist.com/portfolio Web Design and Creative Consultant, Katherine Corrigan of Made It For You www.madeitforyou.com Special thanks to Maritza Bonilla for sponsoring the Scentsy Fundraiser.

Please visit our community website at www.rubyforwomen.ning.com to see how you can help support the ministry of Ruby for Women.

Special thanks to Scott and Martin of Vintage Image Craft for sharing their amazing craft ideas with the Ruby for Women community!

The new Ruby for Women banner was created by Katherine Corrigan of Made It For You at www.madeforyou.com

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