Easter in Pennsylvania

Last weekend, we celebrated Easter with our family in Pennsylvania. It had been quite a while since we saw our extended family. On Saturday, everyone gathered at Nana's house for the annual feast. 

After the meal, as is Ohl tradition, the men went outside to shoot guns into the field, swing golf clubs, throw the football, ride vehicles and various other "outdoor" activities. 

While the women stayed inside, talking, enjoying dessert and cleaning up (not sure how that always works out that way). 

I got to meet Zack and Maura's little doll, Riley, who's 6 months old. She's got red hair like her Mom and beautiful big blue eyes. She barely made a peep the whole time. So. So. Cute. 

I love getting to see our cousins.

We went for a long walk, as is also tradition, around the neighboring farmland and roads. 

The landscape really is beautiful. Everything is starting to re-awaken from winter. The fields will soon be growing again. Makes me feel like I've been transported back in time to simpler days.

The sky was an amazing blue and the sun was shining just enough to not be too cold. 

Nana is doing well. She's always got stories to tell (some new, and some have been told many times). She is the only grandparent we have left, and I look forward to visiting with her. It's also amusing and fascinating to look around her house. 

Especially on the porch where we have dinner. You know, just your usual deer head, turkey, pheasant, fox, squirrel, rabbit and bee hive on display. She has quite the collection of "nature". The funny part is that we're all so used to seeing it! 

On Sunday, we went to church with Denny, Marilyn and David, followed by brunch at The Local (also known as the old caboose). Is caboose a funny word, or what? Is it just me? It is a delightful little place with a unique locally based menu. It was fantastic. 

Aren't my in-laws the cutest? They really are the best. It's always great spending time with them. 
 

It was also so good spending time with David, who took some time away from Philly to be with us. Wish we could do this more often (minus the 5 hour drive time).

Here we are, just a couple of honey bunnies. I hope you enjoyed your Easter. Remember, Jesus Christ is risen! He is the reason we celebrate.
 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, or as I think of it, Happy Resurrection Day! It's not about bunnies, chicks, eggs or candy. It's about Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for us, when he died on the cross for our sin, and rose from the dead, offering us the undeserved gift of salvation.

Amazing love, how can it be
That you my king would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honor you
I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, you were condemned
I'm alive and well, you're spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

-Amazing Love, Hillsong 

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

Our God is not dead, He's alive, He's alive!

- Christ Has Risen, Matt Maher

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 16:6

My prayer is that you too, would accept the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for you, when he died on the cross and rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, once and for all. Salvation is available to anyone and everyone.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:9

Gardening Easter Basket

As much as I enjoy making gift baskets, I enjoy receiving them as well! Look at this adorable gardening themed Easter basket that Aunt Mary gave us. She made one for each couple this Easter. 

Gardening gloves (you can never have enough of those), a spade and a tomato plant. As the tomato plant grows, it will remind us of the new life that Jesus Christ gave us through His death and resurrection. Well put Aunt Mary.  

Along with jelly beans, milk chocolate and oh-so-rich-homemade-Ohl-family-tradition peanut butter eggs. Sugar? Check. 


Add some ribbon and a silk flower for decoration. What a cute blessing. You could pick up these items and make your own basket for not a lot of money. It would make a great housewarming, Mother's/Father's day or gardening-lovers gift. 

This guy was very interested in it as well.

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

"But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace was upon him;

and with his stripes we are healed."

Isaiah 53:5 

There is love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross

You broke my shame and sinfulness

You rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny

through the storm and through the fire

there is truth that sets me free

Jesus Christ who lives in me

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me

it is written, Christ is risen

Jesus You are Lord of all

No beginning and no end

You're my hope and my defense

You came to seek and save the lost

You paid it all upon the cross

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me

it is written, Christ is risen

Jesus You are Lord of all

So let your name be lifted higher,
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher

So let your name be lifted higher,
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me

it is written, Christ is risen

Jesus You are Lord of all

Stronger, by Hillsong

This song beautifully says it all. I've been singing it in my head throughout the week, thinking about Resurrection Sunday. The day we remember when Jesus Christ died and rose from the grave, conquering sin and death. His love and salvation made available to all. His grace is all-inclusive and all-forgiving, to those that call upon His name.

Our God is greater

Our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer

Awesome in Power

Our God, Our God

And if our God is for us

then who could ever stop us?

And if our God is with us

Then what could stand against?

Our God is Greater, by Chris Tomlin

My prayer is that you would know Jesus this Easter, and experience His life-giving gift of Salvation. He paid it all. For you!

Felt Easter Card and Envelope

When I was making monogrammed felt bags, I got the idea to make an Easter card with a little chick on it, out of felt. It was very easy. I started with one sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch white card stock, which I lightly scored then folded in half. I cut out felt shapes to make green grass, a light blue egg and a yellow chick with a pink beak, which I carefully sewed, piece by piece to the card stock. I used my sewing machine and white thread. You could sew on any shapes you like. Add a googly eye - those things crack me up!

Then I needed an envelope. Since the card size was rather large (5.5 x 8.5 inches), I used one sheet of 12 x 12 inch scrapbook paper. I folded the left and right sides in at 3 inches, the bottom flap up at 1 inch, and the top flap down at 2 inches. Then I cut down and across to remove the side flap corners that were not needed.

I used my corner rounder punch for the top and bottom flaps to give them a nice finished edge. 

Using a glue stick, I glued the center flap then the bottom flap. 

Fold down the top of the envelope and you're done! Now you have a cute handmade Easter card and envelope. These would be fun to make with kids.

Monogrammed Felt Bag Tutorial

This Easter, we're going to visit family in Pennsylvania, and we'll get to see two of our nieces, Sydney (5) and Morgan (2), who live in Ohio. I wanted to give each of them a little gift, so I thought of making them felt bags to hold some crafty goodies (and some M&M's). Laura, if you're reading this, don't let the girls see what they're getting!

A little sketch pad and some stickers. When I was little, I couldn't get enough stickers! (I still love stickers) And some age appropriate markers/paint (washable of course). 


I seem to have an abundance of felt in my craft closet, so that's what I used. Two pieces per bag, and some extra felt for the monogram and circle.

Felt sizes vary. This one was 12 inches by 9 inches.
Cut TWO PIECES OF FELT like the photo above:
-One 12 inch by 2 inch piece will be the handle
-Two 7 inch by 7 inch squares for the front and back
-Three 7 inch by 2.5 inch pieces for the left side, right side, and bottom
(You will have two pieces leftover)

Your pieces should look like this. Cut a 4 inch circle out of a different color. Draw a letter for the monogram on another color and cut it out. 

Sew the letter to the circle. Then sew the circle to the front of a 7 inch by 7 inch square. Make sure its front and center. 

For this bag, I wanted the seams to be outward. No need for turning inside out or perfection. Stack one of the 7 inch by 2.5 inch strips under the bottom of the 7 inch by 7 inch square front. Sew it to the bottom edge. Then sew the other end to the other 7 inch by 7 inch square back. 

Here's a closeup view. If they don't line up perfectly, it's ok. The side panels will fix that. That's what makes it handmade, right?

Next, sew the two remaining 7 inch by 2.5 inch strips (side panels) to the bottom flap. You don't have to sew quite all the way to the edges. When you sew up the sides, you will sew all the way down, and connect the corners. It should look like a cross. Above is the inside view.

This is the outside view. 

Now sew up all the sides. Line them up, pin in place if needed, and sew the front to the side panels and the back to the side panels. I started at the top (the opening of the bag) and sewed down to the bottom (making sure to connect the corners). 

When you're done, it should look like this, and be able to stand up. It's just needs a handle. 

 Sew the 12 inch by 2 inch handle to the top of the side panels. 

Now you have an adorable felt bag, perfect for giving Easter, birthday or anytime goodies! 

And it's personalized with their initial. As you can see, I had a little trouble sewing on the "S". The "M" was much easier! 

Easy to make and fun to give!

Easter, Forsythia and Sunshine

We had an excellent long weekend, celebrating Easter with family in Pennsylvania. My husband's home state hails the motto "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence." We got an inside look at American history and those who fought for our independence at Valley Forge (more to come on that). But first, our annual Easter family photo in front of a sunny backdrop of yellow forsythia bushes.

Isn't the color stunning?

So bright and cheery, proclaiming spring is here!

 I have always liked weeping willow trees. Just swaying in the breeze.

Meanwhile, back in NY, A.K.A. The Empire State, with the motto "Excelsior (Ever Upwards)," these colorful little crocus have been popping up. They're my favorite because they poke their heads out of  earth before anything else, signifying winter is over. It's a pleasant surprise every single year.

Our Easter Sunday was beautiful, very sunny and warm. The sun was so bright, my eyes couldn't stop squinting. It caused me to think how radiant it will be in the presence of the Lord, the One Who died and rose again, victorious over sin and death. The reason we have so much to celebrate!















John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Romans 14:9 "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living."

1 Thessalonians 4:14: " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

He is risen! 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend with your loved ones too.