random stitches

Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T06:39:00.002-07:00

I feel like a big, woolly bear, crawling out of my cozy den on Christmas Eve to just have a look see. After a long stretch, a healthy yawn and a sigh, I want to wish my friends out there in blog land a very Merry Christmas. Add to that a healthy dose of good wishes for a bright New Year, and back into that warm, cozy spot, I go.

Life has had it's challenges for my family this last six months but in reflection, we really are doing well. All the surgeries except one have been accomplished with good out comes. SIL Joe goes next week for a out patient procedure to check and possibly repair the vein that had the clot in it this fall. We are in deed a lucky bunch and I celebrate that with all my heart. Good health is, indeed, one of life's greatest gifts.

May you all be so very blessed.

Goal for the New Year........health and quality time with my poor neglected sewing machine.

Life

2009-10-07T05:10:00.003-07:00

No quilting photos as I have had to take a break. Life has really happened in our neck of the woods these past two weeks but I am happy to say, things are starting to get somewhat normal.

Son in law Joe was hospitalized with a blood clot in his chest. Long involved story but it was a congenital condition that required surgery to remove, then an additional surgery to remove the rib from that side of his chest. Then, he developed a hematoma which required another procedure to install a drain. Needless to say, this left us all scrabbling to make sure the grand kids were taken care of and that we could help our daughter as much as possible. The combined efforts of Joe's family and ours, kept kids safe and secure. He is home now, recovering slowly but surely and they are trying to get life back to normal a bit at a time. He will be on blood thinners for a long time, as well as having a projected long recovery process but, we are giving thanks for a good outcome.

I went ahead with my cataract surgery last Wed. It went very well and things looked good until sometime over the weekend. My night and far vision are awful. A post op trip to the surgeon confirmed what I already knew, the lens had slipped and will require them to redo it. This leaves me with the choice of doing it next or doing the left eye first. I think at this point we are going to do the redo first. The vision in this eye is now not very good and I would like to have at least one eye at a time in good working order. I do have confidence that it will work second time around...........not sure why, but I am OK with this. It was like a punch in the stomach at first, then talking with my great white hunter and my daughter has made me just want to move on. So Oct. 28, we try again. Got to come up with something cool to decorate my eye patch with for Halloween!!!

During the past two weeks, I have had enormous support from my blogging friends. Amelia, Granny Lyn and Finn have been there sending prayers and good wishes from the very beginning. I can not tell you how very much this has meant for all of us. I am truly blessed and amazed at the gifts this blog has given me.

I got up this morning determined to face the day with a positive attitude and get on with life. My near vision is very good so hope to find my self back with my Jewel Box quilt and getting a start on some Christmas projects. Life is good again in AZ!

Jewel Box Quilt

2009-09-22T05:54:00.007-07:00

The sewing/spare bedroom looks like a hurricane hit, but it is creative mess. A few years ago, I bought some 6 inch batik squares on Ebay. I won two sets and I loved them. There weren't enough to make anything and they were small but there was a wonderful assortment of color and texture. Being the fabric addict that I am, I was content to take them out now and then, drink in their wonderfulness and enjoy them. During that time, I added a few batik remnants, a fat quarter here and there and there were some wonderful batik fat quarters in the fabric that I found at Goodwill. Still not what anyone would consider a "stash" of batik, but a great assortment.

Then I found this "Jewel Box" quilt pattern, and my batiks had found a home! (Sorry, but I can't get the link to work. It is from the About.com site) My great white hunter does not care for the black in this quilt, but I think it gives the punch needed to showcase each and every one of these lovely fabrics. It has also provided more practice on half square triangles, I WILL master those someday!

Here are the first two rows. All the units for the other blocks are sewn, so it just needs to be put together. It will have a black border and I will buy actual batik yardage for the back. (be still my heart!) Seriously thinking that this one will be a winter hand quilting project.

It is the first day of Fall and the TV says 99 degrees. We have planted fall tomatoes and cucumbers, flowers are next!

We are headed to the mountains this weekend for a quilt show, I am really looking forward to it, having gone to this one several years in a row. I will try to have pictures to post.

Finn asked for the date of my cataract surgery. It is the 30Th of this month. I have had my pre op appointment and have my eye drops and signed all the paper work. I am still not very comfortable with this whole thing, keep thinking about what the loss will be if it fails but trying hard to be positive. I love color so much and everyone says colors are brighter.......will concentrate on that for now. Thanks for asking, dear Finn!

Alive in AZ

2009-08-22T23:52:00.002-07:00

I am still alive, have not fell off the face of the earth or been abducted by aliens! Really having a lazy summer where I am avoiding anything that feels like a obligation of any kind. I will come around soon........

We went on a wonderful run away from home trip to Colorado. We just drove until hungry, stopped when tired and forgot what day it was as often as possible. We saw some awesome countryside. I learned that even though I left Colorado for good almost 40 years ago, it is still home. I have lived in AZ longer than I did in Colorado but, where you grow up is always home.

On a personal front, I am headed to surgery the end of Sept. to remove the cataract from my right eye. Then the end of Oct., will repeat the process on the left eye. Now I always thought that cataracts happened to "OLD" people so I was surprised to say the least. Good news is they are going to implant lenses that will also correct my severe near sightedness.........so no more glasses if all goes well. Having worn glasses since I was 13 or 14, this will be quite an adjustment! I am also letting my hair grow back to its natural color, so no one might recognize me when things are all done!(Now if I could afford a face lift and loose a few pounds, it would be a whole new Norma.) I am very nervous about having work done on my eyes, but the cataracts will not go away without it and just get worse until I can't see at all, so thankful there is something to be done to take care of them. Meanwhile, I would be very thankful if you would include me in your prayers!

Promise to be back soon, maybe with some honest to goodness quilt content! I do miss my blogging friends!

Kid's New Pet

2009-07-26T13:32:00.004-07:00

Julia and Colin have a new friend, actually two new friends as they added a friend for this guy after reading that this type of rat did best in same sex pairs. OK, he came to our house to visit but will live at their house so they can have all that the Momma and the Daddy will allow. This guy is Zion, and the other one is Bryce. They named them for the parks they visited on their vacation to Utah, Colorado and New Mexico earlier this month. He is a rat but cute. Can a rat be cute?

My great white hunter and I are excited. The kids come tomorrow to spend their last two weeks before going off to school. It is just during the day but Papa is working nights again so it will be fun. A great way to end the summer for them, and a fun time for us. We will live in the pool and have a few other fun things planned.

Hope summer is going well for everyone. It has been a odd summer weather wise. June had record breaking low temps and July has been HOT. Not much monsoon rain but we are getting the humidity and the threatening storm stuff. Just three months to go............ugh!

The Facebook Experience

2009-07-15T21:25:00.002-07:00

My plan to stay off the computer has been a failure. I am addicted. I have tried to limit some things but just added others, so the time factor is the same. Is there a twelve step program that addresses fabric addiction along with computer over use out there?

My kids are big Facebook, Twitter users, something I resisted for a long time. Sharing every thought I have with the entire world was a concept that I did not warm up to easily. Then the Momma (DD) mentioned how she had hooked up with several of the folks she graduated from school with, and how fun it was to reconnect with them. I have been a member of Classmates.com for awhile but still thought this would be a great way to see if I could make contact with some friends from High School.

I joined Facebook and found a friendly face........our own beloved Amelia was one of the first to ask me to be her friend. I did find my graduating class although I was disappointed that there were not many names listed. Then I figured out that looking at the friends of classmates might lead me to someone that I knew. That worked wonderfully and I made contact with one of my best buddies. We exchanged information about our kids and where we lived. I was on a roll.

When you live in a small town all your life, even when you leave, you hear about people you grew up with. I read the local newspaper on line and have run across obits for former classmates, not a fun experience at all. There was one guy on the class list that had not grown up there, he had moved to town in our Senior year. I remembered him as being a really nice fellow and had often wondered what became of him. So I contacted him. He had NO clue who I was and that was apparent from the very beginning. He sent me his information, he lives in Washington D.C. and looks quite successful. I sent some of my information, but he never commented on it so figured he was not interested and was ready to move on. A comment about the summer after graduation brought a long message from him telling me his story. Two tours of Vietnam, three wives and a long affair with the booze bottle took us to 1985 when he became sober and straighted out his life. We talked about that........not once did he ask or comment on what I had been doing since 1965. Finally I decided that this was a one sided conversation that I did not have time for and wished him luck and that was that. So I have found one good friend, one high school buddy and one guy whose name was on the list.

I then made contact with another classmate, had good conversation with her about her family and life after school. Hey, this was fun.

About this time, the great white hunter son #2 asks me to be his Facebook friend. Now I didn't expect for my children to want me to have access to their private lives this way, but I said fine. That opened two more doors that had been closed for many years.

First was tgwhunter son #2's high school girlfriend. This girl and I had hit it off from the very beginning. There were times when I think she came to our house to see the family as much as to see my son. If he was working, she would call or just pop in. I jokingly called her my "other daughter" and she called me "Mom". When they broke up, she and I cried. She asked if she could still come to the house or could we at least meet now and then. I had divided feelings, I didn't want to lose someone that I cared about but our house was my son's home. I told him what she asked and he begged me to tell her no. So, I did and have not seen or heard from her in 20 years.

She made contact with him through Facebook last fall and found me on his page. My "other daughter" wasted no time in contacting "Mom". She is divorced and has two lovely boys. We have chatted a couple of times. She is headed to AZ to visit her family and told me she will be on my doorstep with her boys and we will do lunch or something like we used to do. This is a blessing I never expected.

Another one of tgwhunter son# 2's friends contacted me. This was a young man who was around our house a lot. His girl friend lived in the neighborhood and was in and out of the house all the time. When they married and had a son, they proudly brought him to our house. I remember sitting on the floor holding that baby. But as often happens, life takes over and people move on. I hadn't heard much about either of them for years.

Today, I got a long message from him. He and the girl friend divorced, he remarried and that fell apart. He wanted a mother to listen to him and console him.........and he chose me. I had to tell him that I am not the one he needs now. Mostly because he was feeling so sorry for himself and all that the world had done to him. My children could tell him that doesn't work with this Mom. If I chose to be his substitute Mother, I would tell him that he needed to look at his actions and ask what he did to get himself to this place, to grow up and take responsibility and then try and fix his life. I know that is not what he want to hear from me, so it is best he look else where.

So far this Facebook thing has been interesting to say the very least. Things seem to have calmed down for now. I might not find anymore "friends" and that will be fine. It has been a lot like life, pros and cons and more than one way to look at things.

This Internet thing is amazing.

Revenge

2009-07-08T20:52:00.004-07:00

Ya'll remember late last winter and spring? You know when you were suffering though the dregs of winter, thinking it was never going to go away. I was posting pictures of my flowers and my new tomato plants and my lovely spot on the patio swing.

Well, folks, here is your revenge. This is what I saw when I climbed into my car this afternoon about two o'clock. Yes, you are seeing right, 118 degrees!

Granted the car had been sitting in the full hot sun for several hours and that temp did go down to 113 after I drove down the street a ways. July is not a fun month and this year it is really hot

So, now that you know I am getting mine, back under the AC with my iced tea...........

Just had to Comment

2009-06-23T14:32:00.006-07:00

I read this and found it very interesting considering the recent developments on this show. It states how I feel about the entire matter. Years of watching that poor guy get treated like the family dog seem to have had the expected result, and I am amazed that folks are surprised at the out come.

Meanwhile, my prayers go out to those eight little ones...........with added prayers that the parents and TCL wake up and protect them. Oh wait, there is the large amount of cash involved. Hopefully the sponsors will realize that this is no place to showcase their products.....but then, there is that cash again.........

Should Jon & Kate Plus 8 Be Taken Off the Air?
This once-endearing show about raising twins and sextuplets has turned into a spectacle highlighting Kate's inability to handle the daily stress caused by her many hang-ups. Meanwhile, Discovery is essentially condoning her abusive tendencies...
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/506701/should_jon_kate_plus_8_be_taken_off.html

AGGGGHHHH!

2009-06-03T05:58:00.002-07:00

To my reader at sbcglobal.net network out of Springfield or Miller, Missouri,

I really am not planning on posting much in the near future, you can rest and go check out someone else for a while.

Still smiling here in AZ,

Your friend,

Norma

Time Out

2009-05-27T08:14:00.002-07:00

I have become very discontent with the blogging process lately. It is starting to feel like work. Life is very much the same from season to season and coming up with fresh new posts is not always easy to do. Reading blogs and trying to comment, plus answering comments seems to take a lot of time that could be used more wisely elsewhere. So, think it is time to take some time off and see if I can't maybe come back with a fresh prospective, or maybe fill that time with more constructive things. Time will tell on that one.

I am also disillusioned with a lot of what I am seeing and reading in some of the blogs now days. For the most part, I have made wonderful friends in blogland and I value those friendships so very much. I will be visiting those blogs and making a major effort to keep in touch with those people. You all know who you are. I may take a day and read and comment on others at random, but for the most part, Norma has "Gone Quilting/reading/crocheting/stitching and maybe, just maybe doing some much needed work around her home.

Have a great summer and I will be around later.

Link

2009-05-20T15:08:00.003-07:00

Ok, so the link for Broomstick Lace directions does not work.......grrrr.

Try here and if that fails........just Google Broomstick Lace, there are several sites that have directions!

Broomstick Lace Afghan for Ryan

2009-05-20T14:31:00.011-07:00

A few years ago, I made a broomstick lace afghan for a birthday gift for a close friend. She had just gotten a new couch so I made it to go with that. Her son was still living at home then and soon after her birthday, got sick with a really bad cold and spent his recovery days on that couch wrapped in her afghan. After he got well, he liked to watch TV, again wrapped in her afghan. The family jokingly started calling the afghan, "Ryan's blankie". My friend said she was forever finding it in his room rather than on the couch where it belonged.

I made the comment that well, I knew what to make him for a wedding gift anyway.

Fast forward, Ryan is now on his second enlistment in the Army, has spent almost a year in Japan and is now engaged to be married on July 4th. The wedding is in Vegas with just family, followed by casual reception at her parents house on July 18th.

They are doing their living room in cream and black, so the bride wanted a black afghan...........and Ryan is off doing Army things so couldn't ask him. So, I am working like crazy to keep my word and make Ryan his own "blankie."

I have done broom stick lace for years........this shows the big plastic pin that I use. I bought this in Germany when we were stationed there in the 70's. I have since found other needles but they are smaller, so this is my old stand by that I guard carefully. Never know when someone will need a "blankie" all their own.

Click here for directions for Broomstick Lace.

Mother's Day Gifts and My New Fave Tool

2009-05-14T13:00:00.005-07:00

Here are the lovely gifts that Julia and Colin painted for me for Mother's Day. I am one of those people who would rather have something that they made (or anyone made just for me) instead of a purchased gift. The Momma and Daddy gave me a lovely gift too, but the kids gifts always get the first spot!

I either tie or hand quilt my quilts. For the most part, my quilts are use and abuse so I tie them. That is what was done when I was growing up and I respect it as a quilt. Now I have read that it is not a quilt but a "comforter" if it is tied. You can call it what you want, I don't think the ladies who made quilts 100 years ago always had the time to wait for the quilting process because they needed those quilts on the bed to keep their family warm. A quilt is a quilt, regardless of the methods used to put it together in my book.

The sandwich process has become really hard as the only place I have that is large enough is the living room floor. The old knees can't do that much anymore, plus I get a stiff neck and headache from having my head hang down when I am on my knees basting. The last few quilts I have done, I basted down the center in both directions and then moved it to my folding table to baste and then tie. It worked but I have been less than happy with the results because my backing was not always smooth.

Then I read somewhere how a lady used her husband's clamps to clamp her quilt to her table. Norma had a AH_HA moment! My great white hunter uses these clamps in his woodworking and there were some in the garage! I mentioned it to him and he suggested that I get new ones to make sure there was nothing on them from the woodworking process. (besides his tools are HIS tools). Well, they work wonderfully! In fact, I just did my usual baste down the center both ways and then clamped it to the table, tied a section, moved it and re clamped until I was done without any more basting. My backing is nice and smooth and it took about a third of the time. Now I need to find a box to store MY clamps.

Colin did ask if I asked Papa before I used his clamps, and was very impressed that Nana had her own set!

Mother's Day Visitors

2009-05-12T14:26:00.004-07:00

We were up early on Sunday, getting ready to head out for our annual Mother's Day picnic. I looked over to see if the coffee was done and noticed that there was something floating in the pool. Now, when he was smaller, the little guy next door liked to see if he could throw things over the fence and hit the pool, so I figured maybe he hadn't outgrown that like we thought.

Much to my surprise, this is what was floating in the pool. Ma and Pa had made a stop in our backyard. They floated around like they owned the place. (and we were hoping that they would decide no, it was not for them) My great white hunter had to get a step ladder out of the garage so he could get a picture over the fence and they took no notice at all. After a nice swim, they took to the air, off to visit someone else and try out their pool.

We have not ventured into the water yet, way too cool for our taste just yet but it apparently was just right for ducks on Mother's Day 2009. Not bad for living right smack dab in the middle of large metropolitan area.

Picnic was wonderful, pictures later.

Home At Last!

2009-05-07T09:56:00.008-07:00

Boy, you have got to watch this Flat Stanley guy. First, he takes his own sweet time going from Arizona to Canada, then he has a visit that my whole family is in awe of, takes a leisurely trip back home and brings a GIRLFRIEND with him!! The note that came with her said she was his Canadian cousin but.........he was way too happy to be traveling with a cousin!

Carol's daughter included this travel friend for Flat Stanley. Isn't she cute?

Dalton, Carol's son, drew this picture for the box. He does wonderful work!

Stanley returned home in a box full to the brim of great things from our friends to the North. The album was full of great pictures of his travels with Carol and her family. The Momma (DD) was taking the package to Colin's class today to share it with them. Colin was very excited that there were pencils for his classmates.

Thank you Carol, John, Dakota and Dalton for all your efforts in this. Bloggers are amazing people. Funny how you can reach out to folks and get very little response, then you have someone like Carol who volunteers and then goes way beyond what is expected. Friendship on the web is amazing. I am old enough to be Carol's mother. She found me through another Canadian blog I commented on, and a great friendship evolved.

On a "what is happening at my house" report, here are the first of the tomatoes! We had them sliced with salt and pepper the other night and they were so good. There are a lot more out back but the plants are in bad shape. Don't think the great white hunter and I will ever earn our farming badge! Cucumbers are doing well in spite of the heat. I am in hopes we will have lots of them for ice box pickles this year.

My great white hunter and I went yesterday and picked about 40 lbs of local peaches. That means I will be busy making jam and freezing peaches..........might fit a peach pie in there over the weekend.

It is Raining Lemons!

2009-05-02T11:53:00.003-07:00

This is the time of year when last year's unpicked citrus crop falls from the trees. There are little dark green new lemons already formed and growing as the tree bloomed in April. So we sit in the family room and hear the thump of lemons hitting the ground out back from our neighbor's tree. My great white hunter spent quite a bit of time one night this week picking lemons for the people at work. He took in three huge boxes (and this is just from our side of the fence) and the folks there took all of them home and were thrilled to get them. I priced lemons at the store and they wanted 39 cents for a small one, so I guess I would be glad to get them too. When you just go out and pick what you want, you kind of take them for granted.

Just to show you that Texas is not the only state that grows things big......I picked this one up out of the yard this morning on my daily "pick up lemons" job. The coin on the side is a quarter, sorry that is not too clear in the picture.

"Tuscan Sun" had a set back the past couple of days while I recovered from a nice bout of stomach flu but looking forward to posting the next couple of blocks soon.

Tuscan Sun Blocks 2 and 3

2009-04-29T13:26:00.002-07:00

Here is number two, redone, and number three of the Tuscan Sun BOM. Is it growing on me? Not yet.............

I am going to throw caution to the wind and do a block out of order to spice things up a bit! Let's see, should I do seven or eight next?

"Tuscan Sun"

2009-04-27T04:43:00.004-07:00

In 2006 or maybe 2007, I bought a BOM quilt from Joann's called "Tuscan Sun". I remember really liking it and budgeting my coupons and a few of the Mama's (DD) to get it for less than the posted price. I was in the middle of something else at the time, so of course, packed it away and promptly forgot all about it. After cutting out all those 2 1/2" squares and the half square triangles for the Chiclet quilt, I thought it might be nice to sew something that is pre cut, plus not the same block over and over.

I dug in my overflowing sewing room closet and found the BOM's waiting patiently for me. Shocker..........my first look at the picture on the top package made me wonder if that was really it? Did I really want/buy this quilt? Why??? It is not exactly made from colors that I would choose, and the lay out is not my usual traditional block. What in the world will I do with it when it is finished?

Do you think that while it sat smoldering in my closet that it changed into something different than what I bought? Did the colors redo themselves into something I don't recognize? Strange, now I understand when I read about quilter's saying that they find they don't like their older stash fabric. Something in the quilter changes but who knows what makes that happen. How can you love it enough to bring it home and then after you don't look at it for a while, your opinion of it changes? Guess the answer is use it while you still love it!

Anyway, here is block one and it is very subdued compared to some of the others. Hmmm, do you think it might grow on me again? I sure hope so because I have it, I paid quite a bit for it and I am making it. Not sure where we will go from there.

I would put a picture of block two on here except it is in pieces. After I had it all put together, carefully lining everything up, I discovered I had mixed up the two greens and had to take the whole thing apart again. Note to Norma, the pictures in the illustrations are TINY and it is not a good idea to try and sew at midnight!

Still Around

2009-04-20T09:26:00.008-07:00

Where have I been? Good question! I have been right here but for some reason, could not think of much to say. Now for me that is a RARE thing!

I did some treasure shopping last week. These came from Half Priced Books. They are the wonderful Australian quilt magazines, "Patchwork and Quilting". Believe me when I say our quilting magazine publishers could learn something from the Australian sewing industry. They have such wonderful designs. Now these come under the heading of "oldie but goodie". They are 1998, 99 and 2000 issues but are complete with the very detailed center pull out section with patterns, directions and templates. I paid 50 cents a piece and have enjoyed them so much. Talk about eye candy, these are wonderful.

The Chiclet top is done, has been done for a while. I have said before that each quilt is a journey and this is no exception. I do love it though, each and every not so beautiful scrap of fabric was placed with love. Too, my quilt inspector, Princess Paris has given it her stamp of approval and what more do you need?

The tomatoes are growing so well, there are almost twenty on this one plant. We have had a cool spring and everything thrived. However, the big question is will they survive to make it to the dinner table. The problem with growing things here in the "Valley of the Sun", is that it gets hot really fast. So fast that the plants get major stressed and it just takes a few hours for the whole thing to die. I have stood and watched cucumbers just shrivel up and die from the heat. It is supposed to be 95 today and I think it is time to put the shade cloth on the top of the frames my great white hunter built this winter. Cross your fingers for my tomatoes please!

These are the white roses outside our front door. They are doing wonderful! They are not my favorite but were planted and mature when we bought the house so there they stay for now. I would be much happier with a blast of color there but you can't be unhappy with this mass of roses! I keep wondering why the people we bought the house from would plant white roses??? Must have been a good reason at the time.

This bush has little pink tea roses and is in the back yard. It was also here when we bought the house, along with two others. There were huge trees in our neighbors backyard just behind the fence and our flower beds were really shady and it was hard to keep things growing there. They cut down the trees to put in a swimming pool and things have done much better in our flower beds. I do miss those beautiful trees and the wall they put between the two houses.

Not feeling very productive here but apparently there has been activity in my life even though I was not writing about it.

Apron Memories

2009-04-15T15:35:00.005-07:00

I received this in a email from my DIL's mom today. It brought back many a loving memory of my beloved Grandma and my Aunt Cora, who was in all sense of the word, a grandmother to me. Each morning, they put on their house dress, cotton stockings and a bib type apron to cover the dress. They used their new aprons on Sunday until they were needed for everyday use. These ladies used these aprons exactly like it says.........and all these years later I remember the smell of starch in them when I was grabbed for a hug.

The History of 'APRONS'

I don't think our kids today even know what an
apron is, so let me explain.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was, of course, to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was
used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes.

Folks would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - except love.

I would love to give credit to the author but I do not know who it was so all I can do is say thank you for bringing those two ladies to mind on a windy April day. I miss them both.

2009-04-09T20:44:00.004-07:00

If you have Google reader the link to Carol does not work......try No Reason Needed. Someday I will get this all right on the first try!

Flat Stanley's Adventure Has Started

2009-04-09T20:34:00.007-07:00

Flat Stanley arrived safe and sound in Canada. Carol and family have already made him feel right at home. To follow his adventure, go to No Reason Needed.

Flat Stanley, WHERE Are YOU??

2009-04-05T20:20:00.005-07:00

NOTE: I have just heard from Carol in Canada. Flat Stanley has arrived, safe and sound. Oh, don't I wish he could tell the story of this part of his journey! Thanks, Carol and family for opening your home to him!

I have lost Flat Stanley. In reality, the US Postal Service has lost Flat Stanley but I know they are not going to take responsibility for it so guess it falls on my shoulders. I raised three children, took care of my grand children, worked with first graders for 15 years, have had dogs, cats and birds..........and NEVER lost anyone but Flat Stanley is out there somewhere.

My dear friend Carol and her family in Canada offered to host Flat Stanley for my grandson, Colin's kindergarten class. The teacher thought it was a wonderful idea and sent another Flat Stanley, a travel log and letter home with Colin. He colored him, added a light saber in one hand and a apple in the other, cut off his feet for some reason, that he refused to share, and brought it to me to mail. I put it in a Priority mail folder from the PO and mailed it on March 25. It was not cheap travel fare for a someone made from paper, believe me! So it has been well over a week and he has still not arrived. I am afraid the immigration folks at the border are holding him in a cell somewhere because of the light saber!!! Carol and her family have been on the look out and have made plans for his visit but so far, he is a no show.

We had a family get together for our oldest son's (#1) birthday yesterday and I mentioned that Flat Stanley was lost and did the Momma (DD) think she could get another one? The great white hunter son #2, looked me right in the eye and said, "Mom, how could you lose Flat Stanley?" It sounded like it was all MY fault! I explained what happened but I think they still all think I lost him.

So Flat Stanley, if you are out there between Arizona and Canada, would you please phone home????

Prize in the Mailbox

2009-04-03T09:16:00.006-07:00

I read on Kristie's blog that her friend Lisa was having a give away for a lovely quilt. I just had to go see what it was all about and threw my hat in the ring. I didn't win the quilt but she sent out prizes to TWO others, and mine arrived the other day.

I have never had a Moda charm pack or any of the precut things they offer so this is fun. It is a selection of fabrics that I am not sure I would buy for myself but I love them. So I am looking at patterns and dreaming about what I can do with this lovely gift! I have got to say that it is so much fun to open that mail box and find a package in there that you don't know what it contains! Makes the rest of the day pretty special. Thanks again Miniature Quilter and Kristie for sending me to her friend's blog.

Chiclet quilt top is all done except to sew a few rows together........picture soon. Yeah! I was not sure it was going to happen with out the quilt police coming in and tying me down!

My Rainbow

2009-04-01T12:31:00.003-07:00

This is so me. Now, I would not choose those colors but the description of who I am is right on. Kind of scary.............What does it say about you?

Your rainbow is intensely shaded red, brown, and indigo.

What is says about you: You are a deep thinking person. You appreciate cities, technology, and other great things people have created. Friends count on you for being honest and insightful. You get bored easily and want friends who will keep up with you.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

I have chained myself to the sewing machine to finish the "Chiclet" quilt top. I got about 3/4 done and had to really fight the urge to move on to something else. What is with that? You would think being that close to a finish would be motivation to keep with it. I had a long talk with myself, have all the blocks done, and have it laid out on the floor to sew the rows together. Bonus is this has the border already on!

Shrinking World

2009-03-26T10:09:00.003-07:00

I am not much of a shopper any more. Now the great white hunter would be snickering at that statement but really, I finally figured out that I was buying stuff I did not need about the time I did my big de clutter in 2008. I do/did have favorite places to go though and although I am a very frugal (the great white hunter would say, "CHEAP") shopper, I enjoyed those places.

In the last four or five months, the place where I bought most of my clothes has gone out of business, my favorite junk/used book store closed and now the neighborhood grocery store that I have shopped at for twenty some years has closed. I am now in search of new places and to be honest, have not found anywhere that I like as well.

The grocery store was a local chain but one of their smaller stores. I have shopped there since the day it opened, knew where everything was, knew the cashiers on a first name basis and going there was EASY. There is another store in the same chain close by but it is a SUPER store and not near as easy to shop in.

The junk/used book store was where I went for a treat. They had a great selection of used books and lots of other thrift shop goodies. I really miss going there but now there is the Good Will store about two blocks away so I am finding my thrift shop fun there. As for clothes, have yet to solve that problem. Not that there is a lack of clothing stores, it is just that I LIKED the one that closed. I am old and set in my ways and changing is hard.

Used to be when I went to my dentist, there was no place to park because the complex was so busy. I have been to see him twice this week and there were empty spots all over. Many of the little offices have closed.

Empty shops and stores mean lost jobs and lost futures for many, and that is a much bigger problem than Norma having to find a new place to shop. Hopefully things will start to turn around soon!

On a plus note, I have blogged a couple of times about my beloved Betty Crocker Cooky cookbook that I have used since I was a teenager. It has been reprinted since the first edition copyright in 1963 and I have that copy too. Yesterday I was wandering around the book isle in Good Will and look what I found.......in almost mint condition.

In fact there were two and I am headed back to get the other one. At $1.99, I am sure it will find a home. The one I bought yesterday is for my great white hunter son #2, who is a great cook. If the other one is still there I will stick it back for Julia when she is ready to bake her own cookies. I would say she could have mine but it is in such poor condition from lots of use over the years, I am not sure it will make it that far.

Half Way There

2009-03-20T09:39:00.003-07:00

I have 15 of 30 blocks made in my "Chiclets" quilt. I am going to call it my "Half Square Triangle or Bust" quilt. I love the look even though it has a lot of my Good Will bargain uglies in it. Some day someone is going to be looking close at some of that fabric and be wondering "WHY?" Oh well, in 2 inch squares, how bad can it be? I am really pleased with the patchwork border, think I will use that idea more often. One piece borders are great but this one really adds the punch.

This pattern is from Brandy's.

This one would qualify for one of Finn's Frugal Friday posts. The only new, purchased fabric is the white. It was purchased with a coupon. The rest of it came from my Good Will fat quarter bargains. I wish the lady whose stash I bought at Good Will could see that it found a good home.

Traveling With Flat Stanley

2009-03-18T05:13:00.006-07:00

This last weekend, my great white hunter and I took a four day weekend and ran away from home. He has been working some very long, stressful hours and we needed a break. It was perfect timing as the weather is just beautiful.

The week before we left, Colin brought Flat Stanley home from school. Flat Stanley is a little man who had a bulletin board fall on him and flatten him out. Since that happened, people have been putting him in a envelope and mailing him all over for adventures. You are supposed to show him around, take pictures of him in your area, with your family and having a good time. He comes with a journal to write about his adventures. Then you send Stanley, the journal, pictures and souvenirs back to the class and they learn about the area where he visited. Colin colored and cut out his Flat Stanley and sent him off with Nana and Papa on their weekend adventure.

Taking Flat Stanley's picture is an adventure in itself, because he is so small and the backgrounds are so big. Too, trying to keep fingers out of the picture is a challenge. We did have several people stop while we were taking pictures and tell us that they had had Flat Stanley for a visit too. This little guy lives the traveling life!

Here is Stanley in front of the Colorado River.

Finding a place to take a picture of Flat Stanley and the London Bridge took some fast thinking by my great white hunter. This is where we met a man who said he had "been there and done that." We agreed that grandparents will do just about anything for their grandchildren!

The Tropicana Hotel in Laughlin, Nevada has a train station theme so we showed Stanley the little train. Pretend you don't see the fingers in the picture. I doubt that six year olds will mind.

They were standing in line to take pictures by the famous Las Vegas sign. There is a special parking lot and everything. We did not stand in line because you could just hold him up and click.

We made a trip to the M & M store on the Las Vegas strip. Anything and everything
with the M & M logo is for sale in this store. There are four floors full of just about anything you can imagine, including the candy! Here is Stanley on the race car.

This is the entrance to the store. We met another lady here who said her grandparents had taken Flat Stanley on a adventure for her son. It was good meeting these people because you knew that not everyone thought you were out of your mind!

Stanley did some shopping here and has a M & M pencil for each one of the kids in Colin's class.

Finally, just outside of Las Vegas on the way home, Flat Stanley gets to visit the Hoover Dam. It was dusk, the road was narrow and crowded and it was time to put Stanley back in his envelope.

Watching my great white hunter take pictures of Colin's Flat Stanley made me realize, once again, how lucky we all are to have my great white hunter. He planned the stops for Stanley and did the leg work so his grandson would have a nice project to return to his class. What a guy!!!

Now, Nana needs to do her part and go get the pictures printed, write in the journal and send it off to Colin's class.

Because we ran away from home, I am behind in my blog reading and comments........missed you all and will be up to date soon!

Yellow Flowers

2009-03-17T17:21:00.004-07:00

The yellow flower in my header is from our yard. It is from the daisy family but I don't remember the name. We planted these from seed three or four years ago, in a flower bed that my great white hunter built out by the pool patio. There are two different colors, one with the brown and then the all yellow. I can see these from my kitchen window and I love them!

These flowers just flourished. They make it though the cold weather in the winter, the hot in the summer and bloom for the most part through most of the year. In the winter, when the days are short, they don't put out blooms as much. The seeds blow and sprout along the edges of the lawn and the patio. My great white hunter transplanted some of these run aways in the white pot and they just made themselves at home there.

This pack of seeds was a great investment!

More Like It..... Yellow

2009-03-17T14:48:00.001-07:00

The pink had to go, every time I opened my own blog, it was a shock!

I am more of a yellow person, always have been, so this is it until I get the urge to change again. Now that I have figured out how to do it, may happen often.

UHHHH, Pink

2009-03-13T19:20:00.001-07:00

Thought I would try a new look here. Pink is a bit much but will leave it to see if it grows on me. Right now, I would say it is not going to, not a pink person, never have been.

Is There Life AFTER Half Square Triangles?

2009-03-12T15:14:00.003-07:00

OK, I will admit to it, I hate half square triangles. I will not even go into quarter square because that is way out there!

Quilting is something I taught myself, along with most of what I do. No classes, just books and video and Internet and as much as I can absorb. I have read more about half square triangles than I care to admit. Read tutorials, watched videos, bought rulers, papers.........and still really, really struggle with getting everything where it is supposed to be. So I just made quilts that I liked that didn't have the blessed things in them.

You need to grow in what ever you do! So, just like I have taught myself everything else........practice makes perfect. I am in the middle of two quilts with a few half square triangles in them. Scrappy use and abuse quilts, but patterns that I really like. Is it getting better? I am not redoing every one over so that must mean some progress, a baby step maybe?

My question is.........How many of these lovely things do you have to make before you have the "Ah" moment that says you know what you are doing? Will I ever know what I am doing or is this like Algebra and will never quite make it past the knot on my head?

I am trying to follow the liberated quilting thing and not stress if things are just a tad off but if I see it, everyone else will too and that just says, don't quite have it yet.

Cherry Mash

2009-03-10T06:24:00.003-07:00

For those of you that mentioned not knowing what a Cherry Mash candy bar is, I thought I would show you what you have been missing. I had to dig deep in the freezer for this one and I am having a hard time NOT having it for my breakfast. Sad thing is, diabetes and Cherry Mash don't go together very well so I have to just have a little at a time. Come to think of it, doesn't do much for the size of what I sit on either.

This is the 2.05 ounce size, they also come in a snack size bar. Now the chocolate nut covering is about half the thickness of what it was when I was a kid. I got bigger, the candy bar got smaller. They were a very special treat when I was a teenager because they were one of the more expensive candy bars. I was as tight with my money then as I am now, so that made it a even bigger purchase when I did buy one. They just might have had something to do with my teenage acne problem too!

Sorry the picture is fuzzy but you get the idea.

Cherry Mash Moments

2009-03-09T12:10:00.005-07:00

About ten years ago, we had a kitchen fire. No one was hurt, we lost nothing of great sentimental value but it did mean major renovations on our house. They came and took everything out to be treated for smoke and stored. Then, they ripped up most of the flooring, gutted the kitchen, repainted the walls and replaced anything that might have been damaged by heat. It was a long process, made worse by uncaring workmen who wasted time and a constant dealing with the insurance company. We had to shop for everything we lost and give a price for purchasing new. We had to pick out carpet and drapes and............Sounds wonderful but doing it all at once is hard. It took over six months and we lived like gypsies all that time.

One day, we were out on a "fill in the insurance company list" shopping trip and stopped at a Wal Mart where we normally don't go. As we walked in the door, the first thing I spied was a end cap full of boxes of Cherry Mash candy bars. I have blogged here about how these are my all time favorite candy, but they don't distribute them in AZ. We bought a few (mmmmm, quite a few) for the freezer and the check out lady said they had gotten them in by mistake and they had no place for them in the candy isle. It raised our sagging spirits considerably, and we laughed that a simple thing like a candy bar could chase the blahs away. So, since then, when something happens that is a little odd, we call them "Cherry Mash Moments". Over the years, there have been others........not sure if they really are something special or it is just that we are open to them at the time. I am not religious but I do believe in a higher power and to me, these are a sign that, yes, someone is watching over you.

This last Sat., I had a major Cherry Mash Moment. Now I have to tell you that at first I thought that the time had come when my mind was going it's own way and leaving me behind. I am way too young for that so it was a little scary. I found myself looking around to make sure I was where I thought I was.

Last week I read a post on one of my favorite blogs "Covered Porches and Wooden Screen Doors." She told how she had embroidered a Holly Hobbie on a shirt when she was in JR High with a friend. She had just found the pattern they used and bought it to send to her friend. However, she lost the auction for the pattern she was bidding on for herself. She ended with the note that no matter what, the pattern she did get had her friend's name on it.

We were in a antique store in Prescott AZ. on Sat. afternoon and as I came around a corner, I saw the word, "Holly" out of the corner of my eye. I went to check and found a basket with three patterns in it. Two were for a "Holly Hobbie" embroidery and one was for a "Holly Hobbie" doll. The embroidery patterns were the same one that she posted about. I stood there in that booth with chills going down my spine. After I made sure I was really where I thought I was and I really did have that pattern in my hand, I took it to show my great white hunter. When I told him the story, he said I needed to get it and send it to her. I told him she might think I was a wacko and not want to send me her address. He said to try because think how I would feel if someone did that for me.

I emailed her when we got home, and made her day.

The pattern went in the mail today as a Pay It Forward gift from me. Hopefully, she will find someone, someday that she can do the same for. I know that this pattern was the one with HER name on it.

So, was it chance that put me there where those patterns were or was there more to the story? I believe there is more to the story and I am looking forward to the next "Cherry Mash Moment" in my life.

Hugs for Jakey and Granny Lyn.

2009-03-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

One of the hardest part of making good friends through blogging is that when one of those friends needs a hug, they aren't right there for you to give it to them. You want to be there for them but you can't take dinner to their family, help clean their house or baby sit for them. You can just send good words and prayers and hope they know how much you care.

My good friend, Granny Lyn, has needed a hug for the last few months. She has lost a beloved daughter and her grandson Jakey is under going treatment for leukemia. My heart is heavy for my friend.

Her family has organized a benefit to raise money for Jakey's expenses. One of the raffle items is a wonderful, machine pieced, hand quilted "Jacob's Ladder" quilt that her aunt made. If you feel you might want to purchase a raffle ticket for this wonderful quilt, email Granny Lyn. I am buying my tickets and planning on winning but you can always try. The trip to her blog is worth just a look see at the lovely quilt!

www.justgrannys.blogspot.com

A New Backyard Tour

2009-03-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Finn mentioned that they were now looking at the ugly brown that you get when the snow starts to melt. I remember living with snow and how dirty and yuck things looked as it started to melt and you were waiting for that green to show though.

So I thought I would give you another tour of the AZ backyard come March. We have had temps way above normal so things are really doing well. Our ugly brown is in July when everything looks scorched.

The citrus trees are in bloom. This means when you walk out the door, you get hit with the heavy,almost thick smell. At a distance, it is wonderful, get too close to the tree and it is way heavy and overwhelming. When we first moved here, there were a lot of orchards right in town and this time of year, you could smell citrus everywhere. Now most of those orchards are apartment complexes or strip malls.

Here are the Sweet 100 tomato plants we planted in the fall. They are still producing fast and furious. We are not sure how this is going to go as far as lasting as we have never been able to keep them going this long. The small amount of frost we get usually takes them out.

Here are the new tomato plants, the empty part of the bed is for my sunflowers. We are trying some full sized tomatoes to see if maybe the work the great white hunter has done on the beds will help us shade the plants when it gets hot. He spent a lot of time this winter building the wooden frame around the beds to hold shade cloth. We had PVC pipe frames but they were falling apart. PVC does hold up well in the sun.

I assured my great white hunter that if nothing else, his hard work makes it look like we know what we are doing. The key word in that sentence being "look".

This is the fun part of all this, our sunflower seeds planted and popping those green shoots out of the soil. To me, this is the true illustration of the "circle of life". I bought a couple of different varieties this year so we well see how it goes. Last year the flowers did not get near as big a heads as we have had in the past. Not sure if it was the seeds or the conditions........or the would be farmers that tended them.

This used to be the grand kids sand box. My great white hunter built it with the idea that it would become another raised bed. He took the cover off and most of the sand out, built the shade cloth frame and set up the water. The plants are cucumbers and summer squash.

This is what I see out the kitchen window when I wash the dishes. I am looking forward to the flowers growing longer and hanging down. Can't ask for a better view than that!

Hummmm, what is this? This is where Norma takes her handwork, her music and her ice tea to enjoy the afternoons and is the very best spot in the whole house. It was a Mother's Day gift about eight years ago. I have fond memories of giving both Julia and Colin their bottles while we rocked back and forth and enjoyed the fresh air. Now it is just Nana, enjoying the whole back yard.

Hope you all can dig in the dirt soon and plant the things that make you happy!

A Note

2009-03-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

I have set my comments so that I can read them before they are published on my blog. As much as I hate to have to do these things, I have learned the hard way that it is a must.

If you make a comment and you are set that there can be no reply from my end, I will not publish your comment or will delete it. Communication is a two way thing and I will not give up my right to have my response.

Thankfully, this will not matter to 99.5% of those who might comment.

FYI

2009-03-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

You might want to head over to my friend Belvie's blog for what she has learned about copyright law and our blogs. She has done some good research and what she has found might be surprising. I know it was to me.

Last week a picture of my RV showed up on someone else's blog. It was taken directly off of this blog from a post I made a long time ago. It was later removed, but that
still tells us that we should know all we can about protecting what we put out there. I found the information she discovered about being responsible for the comments on your blog interesting also. Information on a commerical blog, or one that has things for sale is also a interesting issue.

How sad that we need these laws, and I am not sure they are worth much but just the same, something to think about as we blog away.

While you are there, you can see her wonderful baby quilt too.

One Of Those "Days"

2009-03-03T05:16:00.000-07:00

We all have those "days" when things don't feel right, things don't go right and you wonder if getting up that morning was really a good idea. Now I am pretty up beat and don't have them very often but every so often, you just feel like the littlest thing is a heavy load. So, I had a few of those days last week. I walked around amazed at the human condition.

About Sat. the load was pretty heavy. The great white hunter had to work but the kids were here after a Friday night sleep over. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful until we stopped to pick up the mail after a short road trip. I had a SQUISHIE in the mail! I could hardly wait to get in the house to open it and see my surprise.

My wonderful, supportive blogging friend, Belvie, made and sent me this patchwork bucket bag! The colors are wonderful as is the workmanship. She has even promised to help "not a seamstress" me try to make some for my Christmas gifts. There are some perfect fat quarters in that Good Will stash. She also included a great little wool pincushion. I have tried to get a picture of the pincushion but the flash seems too much for something that small. The bag is for my embroidery supplies.

Now I did have a problem with the pincushion. My great white hunter found Princess Paris up on the counter, trying her best to knock it down on the floor so she could claim it for her own, twice! So may have to use it IN the bag to keep it just for me.

Needless to say, this was just what I needed to jump start life again. I am discovering that for every miserable, hateful person out there, there are at least ten good hearted ones. I am so lucky that I am surrounded by the good ones! The lesson learned is choose the people you let touch your life carefully. If you do this, when you have one of those inevitable days, they make the load lighter.

2009-02-26T06:34:00.000-07:00

This was one of my Christmas presents from the great white hunter son #2 and our DIL. When I make apple sauce for the freezer after we pick apples in the fall, I peel a lot of apples, so he thought this would make the process go faster. It peels, cores and slices the apple.

The Momma (DD) got 40 lbs of apples from the fresh fruit and vegetable co op that they belong to. We shared so I have a "few" apples to deal with. I made the great white hunter a apple pie and so it was the perfect time to try my peeler.

It works well, but I don't think it makes the process faster. You have to dig it out and get it going, then make sure you get the apple on there just right so that you get the entire core out. It didn't take longer though, and I really liked that the apple slices were all the same thickness and cooked more even. I will definitely use it when I need to peel several apples. Colin is going to love it, it is a "contraption" and he is into contraptions!

A Little Here, A Little There

2009-02-20T13:35:00.001-07:00

Although I have been busy, no finishes to report. I have been going through my sewing messy room and finding all my partly done projects, gathering together fabric and directions and putting it all in one spot. Finally figured out that I would have more storage if I finished just a few of the things I have started. So, one by one, I am going to work on one of them, at the same time working on one that I really want to work on. So eventually if this system works, a lot should get finished soon. I was amazed at how much work I seem to put into a project before I reject it and move on. It is a disease we quilter's seem to have and I am trying to find MY cure anyway. If I loved it once, I can love it again...

So, the Crayon Box is ready for borders. It would have borders if I were not having color issues with it. I wanted this one to be completely out of the closet, not buying anything. So dug out all my fabric that was big enough for borders. I did not find anything that works with all these busy colors but BLUE. Seems like every time I do a scrappy quilt, I settle on a dark blue or green border. So I am thinking maybe a deep rose color? I tried red but that seemed too safe also. Gonna take my great white hunter for a color consult...........he is so much better at that than I am. So much for all the fabric coming from what I have on hand. I am open to any suggestions anyone would have

Strip quilt is coming along nicely, I have a bunch of 6 1/2 muslin squares setting by the sewing machine, the strip bin by the chair and the goal is to make four sections for 1 square a day. Some days there are more, some days none but it is moving along. Of course, it is busy with colors too and then I will need to find a border color.........this one might just be the red. I love these quilts!

This is my reward/challenge for working towards a finish on the other two. I struggle with half square triangles, getting everything lined up right when there are a gazillion of them is still hard for me. So, this is perfect. Still goes along with my scrappy goal of using up some of the Good Will fat quarters and is much different from just scrappy for scrappy sake. I found another pattern for a basket that uses half square triangles that is next on the "new" starts list. Next on the list of unfinished projects is a yellow and blue log cabin that I started before Christmas. I hope to get out from under this pile eventually and have some finished items! This comes from a great tutorial on Kim's Big Quilting Adventure.

Meanwhile, I will be in awe of the quilter's who whip out a entire complicated top in a weekend. I am missing that patience factor, I sew awhile and then have to walk away from it. I think I have Quilter ADD.

I have my BOM blocks for February done, looking forward to March! I redid the Gail Pan block for Jan. on the pale yellow so that leaves me with the one done on white. I think I might just do Feb. on white also and have two going, think it would make a nice gift and I do enjoy those blocks.

"Sweets For My Sweet,

2009-02-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Sugar for my honey"................not sure why but when I look at this picture, that old song keeps running through my mind.

I made sugar cookies and peanut butter for my great white hunter to take to work today. Now my great white hunter likes all the cookies that I bake but sugar cookies with loads of icing, no sprinkles are his very favorite. It has become a tradition for him to frost one cookie when I make them..........he puts a huge glob of icing on one cookie and eats it, declares they are the best ever. Over 40 years of the best ever cookies under our belts.

The recipe comes from my beloved cookie recipe book that I blogged about here. This one has gone to school, cub scouts, work and on and on. The peanut butter cookie recipe is here. It too has special meaning to our family.

No other plans for Valentine's Day here. We have gifts for the grands and might go out for a special dinner. We agreed to no cards and gifts, at this stage in our life, we don't need that. Not sure when that happened, but I guess after all these years, you just know.

In case, someone wants to make some "Sweets" for their "Sweet", I highly recommend these.

Ethel's Sugar Cookies

3/4 cup shortening (1/2 margarine)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 teasippn lemon extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla (I always use lemon)

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Mix shortening, sugar, eggs and flavoring thourghly. Stir flour, baking powder and salt together, blend in. Chill at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Roll dough 1/8th inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut with 3 inch cookie cutter (or whatever size you want). Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned. (when the edge looks light brown........remove).

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones and include some "Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey". If I have to have that song in my mind all day, might as well share it!

Off to a Show

2009-02-08T20:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had moments when you thought about what you would do if money was no object and you could have or do whatever you wanted? I have to admit that I have and one of the first things would be.......I would go to SHOWS! We are very fortunate to live in a spot where there are many venues to see just about anything you might want to see. Even the local casino's draw some great talent. One of my favorite's is Gammage Theater at ASU. They have wonderful touring companies of Broadway shows. If I could, I would be there almost every time the show changed!

But, back here in real life, those shows are very expensive, even the "cheap" seats. So we have to pick and choose the ones that we really want to see. Last Christmas, one of my gifts was a ticket to go with the Momma (DD) and Julia to see "ANNIE". DD and I saw the movie version when she was small and it was great to take Julia together. My great white hunter and I went to see "JERSEY BOYS" there. It was great hearing the Four Season's songs from the 60's along with the story.

Last night, my great white hunter and I went with the Mama, Julia and Colin to see the Broadway musical "THE LION KING". It was wonderful!!! The sound track is a favorite of mine. When the Momma got married and moved out, I realized that she was taking her CD of the soundtrack with her and had to go buy my own. It blasts out of the speakers on a regular basis still, so this was a perfect match for me.

Seeing the kid's reaction was priceless. They were both all dressed up, Julia in a pretty dress with her hair in curls and jewelry. Colin in a blue long sleeved dress shirt and pants with new dress shoes. We made a night of it and went out for Mexican food first. We made some great memories. I am sure that years from now, we will be telling Colin how he fell asleep during the last act and missed the end completely! How he could sleep with all that noise is beyond me. He has been sick and just ran out of steam as only a six year old can do.

You know, maybe it is best that we can only go once or twice a year. If you go all the time, it might lose its magic, that feeling of being a special occasion. I would not want to give that up because it is as special as the show itself. I am counting my blessings that we can manage to go occasionally, and I am looking forward to the next time we go to a "SHOW".

Excuse the flash glare, try as I might, my skills with the camera are about as limited as my computer skills.

"I WILL SURVIVE!"

2009-02-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

Early last spring, I proudly posted this picture of my Martha Washington geraniums. They did wonderful and we enjoyed them most of the summer. I watered faithfully, a must in the AZ never ending sunshine.

Come late summer, potted things just can not get enough moisture and die here. So when they start that process, I usually just let them go and replant the next spring. This one started looking really bad and I stopped watering. I ignored it for the next few fall and winter months...........not even taking the dead plant out of the pot like I normally would, so I didn't have to look at brown.

This reminds me of the Gloria Gaynor song from the 70's, "I Will Survive". We have had a very mild winter here and possibly this gets some moisture from the lawn sprinkler but.......goes to show what determination is, be it plant or animal. I was so shocked yesterday when I went out the door and was face to face with this wonderful bloom. So, not only did it survive the elements and owner neglect, it rose above all that and put out its most lovely flower. Talk about thumbing your nose at the world!

Looking at this, maybe there is hope for the economy if we all have the same stubborn determination that this lowly flower has shown.

The Fabric Circle

2009-02-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

Cutting up all those Good Will fat quarters and making the "Crayon Box" blocks has added greatly to this:

which has resulted in these.

Now that this piece of fabric, strip, scrap bin cycle is going around and around, where does it end? Does it ever end? What came first, the quilt or the scrap or visa versa? No matter, I have found my groove again........at least for a while. Doing what makes me happy!

Strip Crazy

2009-02-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

If you are reading on a reader, you got a bonus picture. Somehow hit the wrong button, again! Fingers are getting old and stiff here. Sigh.............

What do you do when you have a stack of quilt shop quality, name brand, one of a kind fat quarters that you bought at Good Will? They were, I am sure, wonderful when they were bought, but are not equal to today's lovely colors and prints. In fact, some of them are dark and ugly to my eye. They are taking up space, that to be honest, I would like to fill with fabric I LIKE. So, you head to Bonnie's Quiltville site and find the easiest, fastest strip quilt, you can find and go for it. I supplemented with strips cut from my box of odds and ends of small pieces and remnants to have some light colors. That has helped use some of that up too. Here are my "Crayon Box" blocks, ready for the sashing strips and corner stones.

I had great fun with this. It is super easy and went together fast so it got me out of my slump so to speak. I wish I had found something like this when I was just starting out. It would have done wonders for my confidence so I highly recommend it for someone looking for a beginner quilt pattern. Did it make a dent in the fat quarters.........NO. But I have found several other patterns on her site that use the same 2.5 inch strips and they are part of the plan. Not stash busting, scrap and bargain fabric busting at my house. (so I have more space for stash!)

The Momma(DD)and I were talking around Christmas about use and abuse quilts. I made a rail fence a few years ago that I gave to her family. I called it a "Hug from Nana". The label said to use it whenever you needed a hug from Nana. They call it "The Hug" and use it all the time. The kids play with it, wrap up in it, they use it for a spare blanket and take it when they travel to use on their blow up bed for the kids. It has been washed and used until it is soft and comfy. We decided this family needs more "Hugs". So thanks to the Good Will stuff and Bonnie's patterns, they should go fast. I know if I do a quilt with a lot of work in it, my family won't use it like the "Hug from Nana" quilt and I want quilts that get used.

If I am not heard from in a while, tell someone to go look under all those 2.5 inch strips, I am in there somewhere!

On another note, talked to my sister yesterday and she has been laid off from her job. She is single and self supporting, lives in a small town with very few prospects of another job. It was one of those things that you knew was coming. I have, for the last few months, waited for this nasty thing to affect my family directly. My son managed to withstand a major layoff at his place of work, my dd and the great white hunter have found themselves in the position of having to be the ones to put the lay offs into action at theirs. I fear for our country and its people. GREED got us here, plain and simple and I hope we are strong enough to rise above it as a nation. I am watching progress that took years to make, simply disappear. Hoping that some one can take the pieces of this nation and put it back together in some type of orderly QUILT LIKE action. We are split into many bits and pieces and it will take the same hard work and effort to sew it all back.

Addictions

2009-01-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Sara at Quilting Bookworm awarded this award to me. Thank you, Sara and thank you for stopping by and leaving comments! I love when some one comments and then, I find their blog and enjoy reading it.

Part of the award is to list five addictions. Now years ago, I would have told you that I spent my life making sure I had NO addictions. I grew up around smokers and drinkers and made sure that I avoided both. But I have come to realize that we ALL have our addictions and you don't have to put it in your body for it to be addictive. So, I will fess up to at least these:

1. This is a no brainer....FABRIC! I love the stuff. I love the feel, the smell, the color. I can enjoy a small square as well as a whole bolt. This addiction goes back to when I was a little kid. I was always gathering up my mother's sewing scraps and putting them in a bag for later! There was a long period of time in my life when I was not using fabric for much but I still looked, felt and bought it!

2. Another life time addiction is books. They are the one constant in my life and the more the better. Problem is the great white hunter likes them too! Storage space is full and we have a very hard time getting rid of a book! We have a on going discussion on which ones you should keep. He says anything with reference material or instructions is a keeper, novels should be read and gotten rid of. (guess who does not read novels much???) I say you should keep them if you love them.

3. Coffee is up there with long time addictions too. I was allowed to drink coffee with lots of milk and sugar as a kid. Odd but we lived where it was cold and it was a warm drink??? I did away with the milk as a teenager but still have Sweet and Low in it. I drink it all day.

4. Add tea to that list. When the coffee pot is empty, I make a cup of tea. In hot AZ summers, we go through gallons of iced tea.

5. Apples.........give me a tart, crisp apple and I will follow you anywhere! This one is somewhat of a life long love too. A day without a apple is a day when I feel like something is missing. I introduced my grand daughter Julia to apples when she got two teeth. I would hold the apple and she would gnaw on it. We did this every afternoon. This eight year old gets very cranky if she does not have her apple every day! I am proud that I passed this addiction on!!

I am supposed to tag others for this award but I have done that several times in the past. If you are reading this and you want, take the award and tell us about YOUR addictions! Maybe someone out there has one that is not quite as boring as mine. I discovered in thinking about this, how some of mine are connected. Reading a good book and eating a crip apple is heaven on earth!

Could It Please Be Feburary?

2009-01-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

I know at my age, I should not be wishing for time to go by. That does not stop me from wishing that the February BOM's were posted. I finished these last week. I saw several of the Love blocks on other blogs done on beige fabric. I liked that much better and I am almost done re doing that block. So, February, come on down!! Like.......NOW! I am enjoying this so much and want to do MORE.

This is my first time stitching with a piece of batting behind the piece. I was a little concerned how that would go but it works great. It seems to give the whole thing more stability. No plans yet for the setting fabrics, think I will wait until I see what direction the quilts are going before I chose that.

Many thanks to the designers who are so giving of their time and talents to post these wonderful patterns for us.

Color for the Snowbound

2009-01-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

From mid May to mid October, we all question why in the world anyone would want to live here. About July, when the temps. hit 115 degrees and the monsoon humidity hits, you really wonder if you are seriously missing some of your marbles. Then about the middle of November, you sit back and enjoy the good life. Yesterday it was 80 degrees and sunny, today is rainy with 75 degrees.

So for those of you who are tired of looking at nothing but white snow, here is the 2009 tour of my backyard to give you a bit of color from AZ.

This is today's pick from our Sweet 100 tomato plants. They grew really tall, then we had a windy day and they bent down. We had to cover them a couple of nights due to frost and that bent them down even more so they are thick and dense. Picking tomatoes is a job as you have to really get inside the vines. Hey, I will bend and twist whatever way I need to so we get each and every one. I made salsa yesterday and have enough in the fridge for some spaghetti sauce.

Lemons from my back neighbor's tree that dips into our yard. Think I need to make a pie!

Grapefruit from the tree in the side yard.

Oranges from the side yard.

These plants were on clearance at Lowes, three for ten dollars. I decided to follow Belvie and Amelia's example and give the clearance plants a home. I have my fingers crossed on these.......and NO idea where we are going to plant them. So, I was not thinking ahead that day in Lowes but love the flowers anyway.

Now in case you think all is good and wonderful in the growing aspect of winter in AZ, here is a example of what grows the very best of all. Winter weeds sprout this time of year and in a few days can take over everything. They grow in gravel and in the sidewalk cracks and they grow fast and furious. It takes diligence with the Round Up spray just to keep a few steps ahead of them. Some folks don't.....so if you have neighbors who don't, you have twice the problem because they spread like crazy. Guess what kind of neighbors we have on both sides? Need another jug of Round Up!

More Quilt Show

2009-01-21T09:43:00.001-07:00

As promised, here are a few more of the quilts from the Tucson show last weekend.

The rows were pretty narrow and I could not get far enough back to get the complete quilt in the frame but you get most of it. It was just beautiful!

These are a few of the smaller quilts, I really liked the small AZ quilt.

Now this was the knock your socks off quilt in my mind. I was in awe! Love those colors even if they are not something I would be comfortable with.

Every year the Tucson guild has a gift shop open with things the members have made to sell. Not sure if the proceeds go to the guild or perhaps a charity. It is fun to look. This year there were a lot of neat bags for sale as well as place mats, pot holders and assorted quilted items. There is always a tree all trimmed with hand made decorations.

This is our one and only purchase, a bag for baking potatoes. I knew I had seen the pattern for it but figuring I would never get around to making it, we bought it to give it a try. Monday night I baked white potatoes and last night sweet potatoes. They are great, they come out nice and fluffy. They do say that you need to keep an eye on the bag until you know how it will do in your microwave as some of the higher wattage ones might scorch the fabric. This one did fine but I would not put it in and then leave the kitchen. The instructions are on a site called, "A Time to Stitch" For some reason, I can not get a link to work this morning. You could also Google the words, baked potato bag. I am sure they are the ones the maker used because the instruction card is word for word what the lady has added here.

I read another post that said cotton batting only. I think mine might not be but whatever it is high loft because the bag is pretty puffy.

Tucson Quilt Show 2009

2009-01-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

My great white hunter and I celebrated the New Year, and lower gas prices, by filling up the RV with gas. So Friday night, we loaded up and headed to Tucson for our annual trip to the quilt show. This is the third year we have gone and I enjoy it so much.

Last year, we also went to California to the "Road to California" show but this year, some wise person scheduled them on the same weekend. The great white hunter said I could chose which one but Tucson won out. I like the smaller town feel of it although I was awed by the California show. So many of the vendors would come to Tucson and then on to the CA show that I wonder why they would do this but whatever. A couple of my favorite vendors were not there but that is OK, I DO NOT NEED ANYTHING!! I repeated this through out the vendor area and did not buy anything! To be honest did not see anything that I wanted. We did buy a bag to bake potatoes in at the guild handmade gift section, will let you know how that works because if it does, I have a idea for some early Christmas gifts.

Here are a few of the quilts I took pictures of. I just took pictures of ones that I liked. Towards the end I got tired of people walking right into my picture and put the camera away so missed a few. The variety of quilts seemed a little different this year, not quite so many elaborate art type quilts. I did not see any that were hand quilted although there may have been some. I did see a couple that were hand pieced. Several of the quilts were so heavily machine quilted that they seemed distorted. Sorry, but heavy machine quilting is not my thing at all. I admire the skill involved but do not like the look, reminds me of the big heavy pads that movers use around furniture.

This one is for Belvie! She does beautiful applique and I thought she would enjoy it as much as I did. It was wonderfully done! It is also one that it took several trys to get a picture of because folks kept walking in to get a closer look.

There were several that captured the Southwestern feel of the Tucson area.

I loved this one, kept thinking about all those little squares coming together to create such an impact. The great white hunter said it made him dizzy!

Another lovely applique.

This one was one of my favorites. I love the colors and the pattern.

I have a few more but will save those for another post.

This and That

2009-01-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

In case you thought maybe I had given up the ship, nope, still here. I have been just plodding along in my own way, doing my own thing. I have a love/hate relationship with the month of January. On one hand it is nice to have the mad rush of Christmas over, on the other hand, it is such an abrupt slow down that it is almost boring.

Last weekend we made our annual trip to the snow. I know if you are knee deep in the stuff and fighting it on a daily basis, this might not sound like fun, but every year, we load up kids, sleds and hot chocolate and head to the higher AZ elevation. We had a great time. The spot where we went was not crowded, having only one other family that had small children. We have been at this same hill when there were teenagers and pre teens and it gets a little dangerous for the little ones when they fly down the hill with abandon. The kids and all the grownups, except Nana, had a great time on the three new sleds Papa bought the weekend after Christmas. I thought about that pill that Sally Field and I take once a month for our bones and decided I had no business on a sled going down the hill lickety split. We played in the snow, then had lunch at Macky's in Payson, a family favorite place.

So, want to see something really sad? Last summer I had a fit about all the trash people had left around a lake where my great white hunter took the kids fishing. I could not believe folks would be so self absorbed to just throw it down for someone else to pick up or worse, to stay there forever ruining the landscape of a lovely spot. The bottom of the sledding hill had this pile of broken hard plastic sleds. As you can see there are several colors, so several sleds crashed, broke and got left behind. Higher up on the hill was a blue saucer sled, complete with a nice crack in the middle that someone just walked off and left behind. What is with this???

I believe as parents and grandparents, it is our job to teach the young ones the right way to do things. The best way to teach is example. What did the young sledders learn when Mom and Dad just walked away from their broken sled and left it there for someone else to clean up?

On a more positive note, I am still having a great time getting reacquainted with my knitting needles. Now a average knitter could have knit an entire sweater in the time it has taken me to do two pairs of slippers but true to my New Year's goal, I am having fun.

SueR asked if you needed four needles for this like you do socks. These are a two needle easy peasy beginner project. So here is a picture of a slipper before it is sewn together.

Here are the finished slippers. I have a order from "the Mama" (DD) for a pair for her and then I need a pair. I might be ready to move on to something else by the time I do those. I found a couple of patterns that I would like to try.

It's Like Riding A Bicycle, Almost

2009-01-07T04:49:00.000-07:00

When my kids were small, I did a lot of knitting. I made them hats, mittens, scarves and slippers. I even knitted sweaters for my DD. When we moved to AZ. they were too old plus we found there was not much demand for knitted things. The knitting needles and patterns got packed away. A couple of years ago, I fell in love with the new yarns they have now and knitted scarves for DD, DIL and myself on big needles, no pattern required.

When Colin saw the slippers that our neighbor gave us for Christmas, he really liked them. At six, he still believes his Nana can do anything, so there I was digging for the patterns and the needles! Looking at the patterns was fun because some of them go back to the mid 70's.

He loves camo and I was really happy when I found Red Heart yarn that was in the right shades to get a camo look. I was ready to knit and really looking forward to it.

I thought that it would be no problem to read a pattern that I had made many times before, even if it was 20 plus years ago. Ha ha! First off, I could not find the pattern that I thought I used to use. I have lots of slipper patterns but none seemed familiar. When I did find what I thought was it, it had several different sizes included in ( ) for each row. Yikes, I had a terrible time keeping my place and making sure I used the right part for my size slipper. After tearing it out multiple times, I sat down and wrote out the pattern with just the size I was using. Then, I marked off each row as I finished it so I knew where I was.

This is the end result. Colin is thrilled and will be happy when I finish the other foot! I won't give him his until I have a pair for Julia, so I am off today to see if I can find some more colorful yarn in girl colors. I am also going back to my patterns because this is not the one I used to make, mine did not have a cuff. So you can get back on that bicycle after a long time but that does not mean you will ride it well at first.

I have been thinking about goals for 2009. I found I was thinking more of what I did not want to do than what I wanted to do. Joining challenges and swaps means stress to finish and that does not work for me, so I need to challenge myself in someway. Not quite sure how to do that and have it work but, I do know what I want to do this year. I love to quilt but last year I realized that I like to do other things too. I was missing those things. So this year, I would like to get back to embroidery, knitting and more of the rag rug crochet. Finishing up several quilts that are partly done is another goal. So tune in now and then, not sure what you will find but plans are to enjoy the process more.

Other goals are to resume my de-clutter quest from last year and to spend more time reading and less time playing games on the computer! Then there is that lose some weight and get some exercise one................yuck!

Special Gift

2009-01-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

My children were very generous this Christmas. All of them gave me wonderful, thoughtful, personal gifts. My great white hunter, true to form, did his best to spoil me as he always does. The fact that we were all under one roof on Christmas day was another great gift as was the breakfast date that the great white hunter son #2 and I had the week before. Going out to breakfast with one of your adult children, just you and your son, is a great treat!

Another great gift was the lovely hand knitted slippers that a neigbor gave us. We aren't very chummy with most of our neighbors, I take small gifts to a select few that I know and talk to, and they give small gifts to us. I have talked to this lady at the mailbox a couple of times but that is about it. Her daughter in law brought the package to the door while she stayed on the walk as she rides a motorized scooter to get around. It was a nice surprise and the fact that it was handmade was a special thrill to us. I have worn them everyday! I dropped off some flowers for her on New Year's Eve and she has promised to share the pattern, so I see slippers for everyone in the future as I enjoy knitting, just don't do it much any more.

Wonderful how even though there were purchased gifts that we enjoyed, the three things that stand out are the slippers from a almost stranger and breakfast with my son then just being together as a family..........goes to show that you can make Christmas out of NOT MUCH and still have those warm fuzzy feelings.

Welcome 2009

2009-01-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

How in the world did I get old enough to welcome 2009? Very happy to be able to do so, I must admit. Quiet night here, my great white hunter and I took the kids to Golden Corral for dinner then we came back for baths and story time. They were up early watching cartoons with Papa. I woke up long enough to hear one of the neighbors shoot off some fireworks and that was the end of the celebration. Must admit I was muttering under my breath that who even it was better not wake up the kids!! Oh, when you get old, you are no fun any more.

I am thinking about goals for the new year. Last year I set a "de-clutter" my life goal and did a good job on the physical clutter, not so good on the mental. That is definitely something to continue for this year as I find functioning without clutter all over is much easier. I have a few other goals in mind but not going to post them until later........just going to enjoy the day.

A very HAPPY NEW YEAR to all, my best wishes for heath and happiness.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T08:39:00.000-07:00

Where have I been? My body has been right here where it always is, my mind, somewhere else. I have no projects, no fun pictures to post so not much blogging from me. I have read my favorite blogs but made no comments, just a weird, funky, into myself mood going on. I promise this too will pass. Please know that I have enjoyed reading and will be back in the groove soon.

Mostly I have been busy trying to put life back into the order it was before we started the Christmas count down. It amazes me the work, enjoyable as it is, and effort, we as humans put into one day, just to have it over in a flash of wrapping paper. Then,there is the undo of all we have done. The inside decorations are down, just need packed up again for storage along with the wrapping paper, etc.

It has been a great holiday season for our family. I am sad to see it end but yet, ready for the every day hum drum life again.

Julia and Colin are coming to spend the night..........their Dad got a overnight babysitting session on New Year's Eve coupon in his stocking! His parents aren't as available to stay with the kids as they were, so nights out are a big treat for him and DD. The great white hunter and I stay in on New Year's anyway, so figured we might as well just enjoy the kids and let them enjoy a night out.

Promise a visit to all my favorite blogs and a nice long post coming soon. Thank you for your great Christmas wishes. Keep safe on this last night of 2008!

Peace

2008-12-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

I know the outside world is not at peace, there are folks out there whose holiday was far from peaceful. In my little corner of the world, peace is the only word I can find to express the feeling.

As a child, Christmas was rarely peaceful. My Dad and his brother's usually marked the occasion with large amounts of alcoholic beverages, and the chaos that followed was never remembered as peaceful. The great white hunter and I vowed as young parents not to have those kind of memories for our kids.

So my little family gathered today and we had a wonderful time together. Our oldest, disabled son was here for the day so the nest was full. A trip home is a real effort for him and his wheel chair. Functioning in a social situation like this is also hard for him but he did fine and enjoyed himself a lot.

When we all sat around the table, and I saw my loved ones with their cheap plastic glasses, I knew that I had been given the greatest gift of all, my family with me on this day. The food was good, the gifts wonderful and the memories and good feelings were all anyone could ever hope for. Long distance family was reached by phone. Again, I am truly blessed, again I need to count those blessings and give thanks. I am among the lucky ones because I know the true meaning of peace at the end of this day.

I hope peace was a part of your celebration and if not, I hope you find the strength to find that peace in the new year.

And That Is The Way It Is

2008-12-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning, the great white hunter and I will welcome our grown children plus spouses and two grandchildren to our house for Christmas breakfast. We will have home fried potatoes, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy and toast made from homemade bread that I just took out of the oven.DD is bringing a new dish for us to try. It is an annual affair.

I bought a new table cloth along with matching napkins and nice napkin rings. I ironed the napkins and the table cloth. I dug out the crystal candle sticks and the good dishes. (not china but not my everyday dishes).

So, when the kids reach in the cupboard to get a glass for their orange juice or whatever drink for breakfast, they will all grab one of the plastic glasses that I got at WalMart for 4 for $1. Never fails..........the only thing that has changed is it used to be the big plastic cups from one of the hamburger places that had Star Wars pictures. I threw those away when they moved out! Is there real glassware in said cupboard, YEP!

Hope everyone is enjoying time with their loved ones no matter what kind of container they are drinking out of! HOHOHO!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-22T05:06:00.000-07:00

I really have not fallen off the earth! We have just been busy with Christmas things, crafting, baking, buying, wrapping, decorating, mailing.........you all know the drill! It is a fun time of year at my house when I try my best to keep up with the great white hunter and his giving, believe me, it is a full time job! DD is as bad, these two get into Christmas with full hearts and I am support staff!

My wish for all of you, is that this Christmas, you find the true meaning for YOU. That might be something different for each and everyone. So, be it simple or more complex, I hope whatever makes this Christmas season special comes your way.

See you after Santa does his thing!

Flashback, Microwave Peanut Brittle

2008-12-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

I have pictures in the camera for a nice post with pictures. Maybe tomorrow, or did I say that last time? It is coming, I am getting there........

Meanwhile, if you are in the middle of your holiday baking or making plans, you might want to check out this post from last year for my super easy peanut brittle made in the microwave. I make this for the folks at my great white hunter's work and they think I am just so talented and work so hard. So I just smile and nod and go spend another 15 minutes making another batch. (had to allow time for the cleaning the dish).

Microwave Peanut Brittle

My great white hunter

2008-12-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, I went to school and yes, I did my homework, hey I even took four years of Latin. (why, who knows, I think it was to keep out of PE!)

I do not capitalize the letters on "great white hunter". Because if I capitalize the letters, it could be ANY Great White Hunter. No caps on the name makes a very special great white hunter............MINE!

I do not post pictures of my family either. There is something about putting pictures of my family on the Internet that makes me very uncomfortable. So, you have to imagine what a lady, who would not put capitals in the name she calls her husband, would look like. Did I mention that I am a little odd in my thinking too????

Thank you all for going along with my "quirks" and coming back to visit now and then.

Speaking of my great white hunter, we got a lovely card from Amelia that was also addressed to the great white hunter. He asked me why it was addressed like that? He had no interest in the blog except that it seems to make me happy. I told him because that was what I called him. He just answered, "Oh". Poor man knows me well enough to just let it go at that.

Stars in My Eyes!

2008-12-13T11:48:00.001-07:00

This time of year, it is not supposed to take much to put stars in your eyes and make you happy. I am a simple girl and it does not take much any time of the year to make those twinkles!

Eleanor Burns is my all time quilting diva, I would be thrilled to meet her or even catch a glimpse. I just missed her at the Road to California quilt show last year and was so sad. Another of my all time favorites is Patrick Lose. I watched him on Simply Quilts a few years ago and have so admired his work. Enter Ebay.......and I have a couple of his books right there along with Eleanor on the shelf. Never made one of their quilts but I have longingly looked at the quilts in those books and read every article I could find about them. I do so admire their talent and the way they handle their success.

So, I found Patrick Lose's website the other day........and discovered he lives in Phoenix. I commented an AZ type comment and HE ANSWERED. I had a email from PATRICK LOSE! WOOHOO! Made my day for sure. He suggested that I take one of his classes.......would that make the old eyes sparkle.

Starting the Decorating

2008-12-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

One by one, I am digging things out of the bins in the garage. If I keep it up at this rate, it will be time to take them down before I get them all up!

I made this guy (and five others) a couple of years ago. The pattern was in a Christmas craft magazine long gone and forgotten so I can't give credit. Note the blanket stitch........I think if it has blanket stitch, it follows me home.

You can see the edges of my Jim Shore Christmas figures.......more on them tomorrow.

2008-12-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

NOTE
Check out the post under the Spritz post........Ellie is HOME!

Start Your Ovens.........

2008-12-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

Spritz are another cookie that I have made forever, but I only do them once a year at Christmas. I do MAJOR cookie and candy making at Christmas and this year will be no different. The great white hunter just changed to day shift but wants to take cookies to the folks on night shift too, so I will be playing in the flour and sugar!

These are great because they are really better after they sit for a few days, so I make them early in the month and freeze them, then dig them out when the time comes. I pack them in plastic freezer bags, then put those bags in a container with a lid to keep them from getting crushed in the freezer.

If you have never made them and want to try, you need one of these. I used a coupon and got mine at Joann's a few years ago but Micheal's or any store that carries Wilton cake supplies should have them. I saw them at Target last year. Before I got this, I had a copper colored one from MIRRO. Let's say it didn't always work so well. Your dough had to be just the right consistency or it was a pain so this was a great investment. (might be why I only made them once a year too!).

Spritz

Cream together;

2 cups butter (I use margarine)

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons almond extract

Beat in;
2 eggs plus enough water to make a half cup.

Stir in after mixed;

4 to 4 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Push through cookie press on to ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with colored sugar, bake 10 to 12 minutes at 375 degrees or until lightly brown around the edges.

It's CHRISTMAS!!!

2008-12-04T05:50:00.000-07:00

For years I baked a fruit cake at Christmas for my father in law. It started when I decided I wanted to try a fruit cake (why I will never know) and he was the only one I knew who liked fruit cake. He used to like a slice with a bowl of canned peaches in the evening. So, every year I would make the cake and mail it, and the kids would say, "Mom made the fruit cake, now it's Christmas." When he died nine years ago, I could no longer make the fruit cake, the very thought of it still brings tears to my eyes. It was a very special part of a relationship he and I had.

So, we needed something that meant the start of Christmas. That something had to be different than the decorations, the cards or the gifts and wrapping. It had to be something that was the "spirit" of Christmas for our family. I never found just that one thing, but every year starting in December, I wait for the thing to happen that means the Christmas spirit is alive and well in our hearts. Something past all the other $$$$ spending crazy, hype stuff that has taken over what I think should be a simple holiday.

One year, it was the gift of a pair of hand crocheted slippers from a lady who lived at my disabled son's apartment complex. I had cleaned out my yarn stash and given it to her in the early fall. She sent me the slippers and a note saying that thanks to my several bags of yarn, she was able to make gifts for her family for Christmas. I shed a few tears over that one. Another time it was a package that my uncle and his wife sent me that held my beloved grandmother's hand written cookbook and several pieces of household linen that she had embroidered. Again, lots of tears at the mailbox. It was a complete surprise and worth it's weight in gold.

Do these things happen because it is Christmas or do they happen because this time of year I am open to finding the joy in something? I am not sure but my family waits for me to find the special thing that says, "It's Christmas." Then we can get on with the crazy stuff.

I am done waiting this year........It is officially CHRISTMAS at our house. Wednesday night DD called and said that they thought they had found Ellie! After a week of daily trips to the pound, constant emails and searching everywhere they knew to search, along with posting a reward and many flyer's in their neighborhood, it turns out that Miss Ellie took a trip to TUCSON! They received a call from a student at the U of A in Tucson who said she had been home in Gilbert for the Thanksgiving weekend. When she was loading her car to go home, Ellie happened along. The girl wanted to find her owners, but her mother said she was NOT going off to Tucson and sticking her with that big old dog. (much as I love Ellie, I understand! LOL) So, in the car went Ellie and off to Tucson with the girl. The mother saw one of the flyer's and called the girl, who then called my DD. She brought her home last night and she was loved and well cared for during her adventure.

It is Christmas officially at our house. The very idea of a young college student loading a big old yellow dog with skin problems in her car and driving off to school is proof that there really is goodness in people's hearts. The mother seeing one of DD's lost dog flyer's......well, that is up to you to interrupt how that happened. Thank you all for your prayer's in that direction.

Ellie is home with her loving family! Oh, darn, here comes those tears AGAIN!!!

What makes it Christmas at your house? Where do you find your Christmas spirit?

No Word on Ellie

2008-12-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

Here we are Monday morning and there has been no word on the missing Ellie. Thank you all for your prayers........please keep on praying for her safe return. She was wearing a tag with their address and phone number and a rabies tag from the county. She did have to wear her collar loose because of skin allergy so we are hoping she did not lose it along the way.

I will post if they hear any news.

Nana with her fingers and toes crossed and counting on the goodness of someone out there to see that she gets home to her family.

Prayers for Ellie

2008-11-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

This is Ellie, my first "grand dog". For a while there, I thought she was going to be my only "grand" anything! She belongs to DD and her family and has been a big part of all our lives for the last ten years. I have fond memories of her as a puppy, sliding across our kitchen floor and hitting the fridge with a thud as she learned to walk and stop. That same evening she slid into the swimming pool, we saved her just to have her do it again. She is big and loving, one of those dogs who has NO concept of her size. It is great fun to watch her clear all the goodies off the coffee table with one swipe of her tail.

Ellie somehow managed to get out of the house on Thanksgiving evening. They had a big family gathering with my SIL's family with lots of folks coming and going. DD thought that SIL put the dog out, he thought that she put the dog out, and they went to bed. The next morning they realized that Ellie was gone. Now, much as we love her, Ellie is not very smart, has never known anything but love and kindness so she would follow or approach a stranger or a run in front of a car.

They have listed her on several lost pet websites, went to the pound and canvased the neighborhood. They do live off a major busy street so that is a real fear we have.

If you have a chance in your busy day, send up a prayer that Ellie finds her way home. If she does not, please pray that she is in a spot where she will be loved and cared for the way she has been her whole life. The whole family is hurting but DD is really in pain.........she says she lost one of her children and needs to know that where ever she is, she is not suffering. It's not too much to ask.

Christmas Sweatshirt 2008

2008-11-28T05:33:00.000-07:00

When Julia was a year old, I made her a sweet sweatshirt jacket with gingerbread men and hearts to wear in her Christmas picture. Then every Christmas since, Nana has made her girl a Christmas sweatshirt. One year she had two! I made one for Colin when he was a toddler but our Bubba is much too rough and ready to have Santa on his shirt. I found a great camo flannel shirt for him that he really liked.

Last year I bought a pattern and shirt but when it came time to do it, didn't like it and decided maybe she was getting too big anyway. Not so, Nana, and there were tears. So Nana was up late a few nights rushing to get her girl's sweatshirt done. I was thrilled that it meant that much to her.

So this year, I am ahead, at least on this one thing. I finished it up over the weekend and it went home with her yesterday when they dropped by for a Thanksgiving visit. She was pleased. Not sure how much longer she is going to want a cute sweatshirt but as long as she does, if the hands hold out, there will be one. Great thing is we are having a nice winter storm after a few weeks of unseasonably warm temps, so it might even get cold enough for her to wear it!!

This applique is from Nancy Halvorsen's Art to Heart Pillow Talk book. She is one of my favorite designers. I added a few feet of blanket stitch to my line to California and back with this one.

Over The River and Through the Woods................

2008-11-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

Not quite, it is more like "Get on the Freeway, to the House in the Middle of Town."

Like millions of American families, we are getting ready to eat more than we ever should in one day, in the name of saying thanks. We are a bountiful nation, and should be giving thanks! I hope that we can all look past the difficult times that are happening, that are coming and enjoy this day as it was intended so long ago.

To everyone out there, my best wishes for a wonderful day with loved ones. I will give thanks for all of you, for what you have contributed to my happiness.

So, what is happening at the "House in the Middle of Town"? First of all, there is the last ditch attempt to get this stupid turkey to THAW. There will only be four of us at the "House in the Middle of Town". This is the year that our daughter and her husband spend Thanksgiving with his family. The great white hunter son #2 and his wife will be here with us, and we will take dinner to our disabled son. If you are wondering why I have a HUGE turkey for five people, well, I believe if you are going to do all this work, might as well make it worth your while. Lots of that turkey and accompanying dressing and gravy will be frozen for quick meals all winter. This Nana isn't dumb...........but why didn't she take that big sucker out of the freezer earlier is the question???

The pies are done and two loaves of bread. I need to do two more loaves so my children can take a loaf home for breakfast toast on Friday. If I don't make extra, DD wil show up on my doorstep before going shopping looking for toast. After a quick trip to the grocery store, I will mix up the next two loaves. I was not going to the grocery store today but.......that is the same story as the turkey not being thawed.

Whatever, I am free to do as I please, just make sure you do not interfere with the Princess's morning/afternoon/all day nap. She is sure I am crazy anyway.

Happy Thanksgiving from the "House in the Middle of Town" to your house, wherever that might be!

New Schedule and New Project

2008-11-24T05:21:00.000-07:00

The great white hunter has worked second shift for the last six years or so. At first it was because that was the job, then because the kids were here during the day, it was a choice because he could spend time with them. He was a lot of help when we were transporting Julia to Kindergarten at one school and Colin to pre school at another. He went one direction and I went the other. But, they are now in school full time and no longer here except to visit, so we have been hoping he could get on day shift. Last week our wish was granted, and we are trying to adjust to a new time schedule and routine. All of a sudden I seem to have lots of time on my hands so hopefully, I will get the creative juice flowing again!

I am such a visual learner. I can read or listen to instructions and sometimes, a curtain falls that seems to block what is being said from getting to the old brain. Try as I like it makes no sense. I had that problem with sewing binding on a quilt when I first started. Then one day, I picked up a magazine in Wallymart and it had detailed pictures, and wow, the clouds opened and the sun shone in. So I love tutorials!

Not only are they a gift from the blogowner/designer to all of us, I know they take a lot of time and thought to make them clear and understandable. It is great though, because it is like you have them right by your side walking you though the process.

This one by PINK PENGUIN is wonderful. Very well done and easy to follow, plus the result is terrific. This make up fast and will make great gifts any time of year.

Being the queen of blanket stitch (a name given to me by my sister), I had to add some around the upper edge. I think I will make a few more for gifts. I am thinking of things to fill them with, maybe a bag of homemade cookies and using them for the few neighborhood gifts we give.

Then. I was thinking how you could use this pattern so many ways......a sweet Easter basket made with Easter print fabric, a Fourth of July napkin basket for your picnic table, a birthday gift basket, baby gift or end of the year teacher gift. Hey, I could do a camouflage one for the great white hunter!! I wonder if I make bigger squares and make it bigger .....?????

Someone, quick, lead me to another tutorial before we have fabric basket mania at our house!

Blanket Stitch and More Blanket Stitch

2008-11-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

I love to do blanket stitch around things. Over the past ten years or so, I have done a lot of it between the blankets and burp cloths I made for the grands, plus the appliqued sweat shirts I made to sell and the fleece blankets that I made for everyone and then some. It is wonderful mindless work and once I get going, very soothing for me to do. If I added up all the lengths I have done, I think we could have a blanket stitch line to California!

I have finished the two flannel blankets for Julia's teacher's expected twins. Think these plus some boy and girl pattern burp cloths will make a nice gift.

The Momma (DD) took Julia to pick out the flannel for the blankets. We were kind of disappointed with her choice as there is so much cute flannel print out here, but when they were put together, I think she made great choice. May have to start using her as color consult when the great white hunter is not available!

Here is the sweet little girl blanket.

This one is for the boy.

This is the fleece blanket for DD and SIL's school friend. He and his wife will be here from Portland for Thanksgiving and can take it home with them. They do not want "cutsie" baby items and we thought this was perfect. It is child like yet not blue, babyish print. There are 6 burp cloths to go with this to round out the gift.

I am working on a Christmas applique sweatshirt for Julia now, and then have a request for a new fleece blanket from Colin. Did I say I was done with the blanket stitch? Not anytime soon, apparently. Maybe we will have a blanket stitch line that runs BACK from California.

Circle of Friends

2008-11-18T09:09:00.001-07:00

NOTE: Yesterday, I received a email saying I had been removed from the Quilt for Fun web ring. No explanation was given. It was followed by a couple more after I answered that there was no problem. Today, I got a email containing the email that I was supposed to get before I got removed and was not sent to me. I was invited to rejoin. Regardless, I was "dumped". The reason is not important, the fact that I did not in some way "measure up". is. Thank you for all the great comments. We have a friendly, supportive circle of friends going and that has been my goal since starting to blog. I am very happy with that circle............you don't have to join, you don't have to post or comment. You don't have to quilt or bake or have grand kids. All parts of the country and Canada are represented and the age group varies. I think we are doing pretty good on our own with out a web ring. Again, I find that I am one lucky lady! I look forward to anyone who comments and becomes part of that circle.

Thrown Out

2008-11-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

It happened. I have been "removed" from the "Quilting for Fun" web ring. I do not measure up, folks. My dreams of being a quilting diva have been squashed. Once again I failed as able to function as the member of a group. Ah, I just looked out the door and the sun is still shining and the clouds are moving so.......think the earth is still spinning. I knew this was coming and took the icon off the blog several weeks ago so as not to disappoint folks who would come for quilting posts.

Let me say that the web rings are great for those who can follow rules, but I have discovered that making a quilt now and then is just a fraction of who I am as a person. What you see is what you get and this blog is proof of that.

Does this mean things will change........naw, I am who I am!

Remember the Families

2008-11-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

I posted last year how I can name four generations of my family who have served in the military. This starts with great uncles in WW I, my Dad and father in law in WW II, a uncle in Korea, my great white hunter in Viet Nam and my oldest son served four years in the Navy. I am very proud of all of these men, luckily they all came home and moved on with their lives. Today is their day. Sadly, my great white hunter has to go to work but at this point, we are thankful for that job.

While these men gave much, I hope that when you remember their and other's service today and hopefully everyday, you will pause and remember the families these men left at home. I have been reading some blogs of Marine wives and know that some of these families are facing their third and fourth deployment. Babies are being born with Daddy not there, birthdays and holidays are missing that important person. Wives who are part of a two person team are running the show all alone. I have been there and it is no picnic. My sister in law and my son were born while their Dad's were overseas.

It is an added stress to the military man, serving his country and wondering if all is well at home. Think how hard it must be to leave their wives and small children, missing parts of their lives that are once in a life time things to go into a unknown war zone.

So, to those many families out there keeping the watch until the loved ones come home safely, you have my respect and my best wishes!!! To those now serving our country making it possible for us to live the life we live, my never ending thanks and respect come your way. Blessings for you all.

Some Progress at our House

2008-11-05T22:48:00.000-07:00

I finished the quilt for my daughter's co-worker. It is pretty basic but I think will make a welcome gift with the addition of several burp cloths.

A few years ago, my great white hunter made me a rack for my rulers. Since then my collection has grown and I asked him if he could make me a longer one with a couple more grooves in it. This one just fits on top of the book shelf where I keep my quilting books. I will use the first one he made for the smaller odds and ends of rulers that I keep in a drawer. He did a wonderful job, he has a lot of pride in his woodworking, no short cuts on anything.

Here it is with the rulers in place. It is just sitting waiting for me to use one of them..........and waiting and waiting. You would think with all these great tools to work with, I would be pumping out the quilts. You would think............

Election Day 2008

2008-11-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

I have read some very good posts on blogs today urging folks to vote. My great white hunter and I voted with a mail in ballot last week. It is much easier than standing in lines and easier to fill out your ballot. I, too, urge you to vote, so much depends on our vote this year.

The best post I read, in my most humble opinion, about election day was from Mary. I agree with her 100%. I did my duty and voted the best I knew how. I read and listened and then read some more. The only problem was there was no place to vote for "NONE OF THE ABOVE". Surely somewhere in this great and vast country of ours there is a honest man???? Or is it not the man but the political machine and the media that distort things so badly? Whatever, I pray that we, as a country, make the right choice on this one.

2008-11-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Forty two years ago tomorrow, my great white hunter and I loaded up into his dad's yellow and white Chevy pick up. He was wearing his AF uniform, I had a pretty suit I bought off the rack at J C Penney. We were off to find a Justice of the Peace to marry us. It would be the 4th before we would actually be man and wife and now that my mother is no longer with us, I will admit to that one! I was 19, he was 20. We had been dating since I was 15, although we had gone our own way more than once.

He had come home on leave to ask me to marry him and if I said yes, to marry me before he went back. This was 1966, he was in the AF and our country was at war. He was due for orders and there was a very good chance he would be going to "Nam". After a fifteen minute discussion about what I expected out of a husband, I, of course, said "YES!!!" The course for the rest of our life was set.

There was no time to plan a wedding. One problem was the fact that I was raised in the Catholic Church, the great white hunter in the Baptist. His parents had planned a vacation around his leave, thinking he would go see all the family with them. My family was not financially able to do anything for us, so we decided to buy our licence in town, then go else where to get married. One hitch was, that week there was a state wide meeting for the local Justice of the Peace. Everywhere we stopped told us the same story. "Come back next week." We finally stopped in a town where the lady working in the office took one look at the uniform and knew we were on a time limit. She called another near by town where there was a judge who could marry us. She told us that he hated to marry people, he was a divorce judge but that he also was a supporter of our military so he might just do it. He did, we had the local sheriff and a deputy for our witness. When it came time to pay the fee, he refused to take it, saying he would not benefit from doing something that might end up in his divorce court later on. (How I wish he could see how things turned out!)

We had a couple of days alone, then went on the family vacation with his parents. They dropped him off at his base in California and I went home to my family and my job. He did get orders and in Feb. came home to move me to Southern California. The "Nam" thing came a few years later.

He is my hero, my very best friend and my greatest support. He helps me pick out my quilt fabric when I am color challenged! If you ask him what his goal in life is, he will tell you, to make me happy. He has and does. The 42 years have not been without struggle and there were times when both of us felt like we wanted to leave. But every time, something positive happened that told us we needed to stay together. Would I do it again? You bet your boots I would, but this time I think I would like a wedding cake! LOL

Happy Anniversary to my great white hunter!

Halloween Memories

2008-10-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

I have some great Halloween memories. When I was growing up, there were no store bought costumes. Sure some kids had fancy costumes that someone made but for the most part, you just put together what was around the house. Gypsy ladies were common as well as Cowboys and Cowgirls. I remember being a Gypsy more than once with a old skirt of my mom's, a scarf on my head and hoop earrings. I got to wear makeup and that made it all fine! It really didn't matter what you wore to go trick or treating because by the end of Oct. in the Colorado mountains, it was pretty cold and there was sometimes snow on the ground already. So you wore your coat/snowsuit over the costume anyway. Funny though, I remember lots of questions about what you were supposed to be???

There were a few years when we all went to a town costume party at the high school gym. I was pretty small when we did that, don't recall much about it, except going. I also don't remember much about school parties, I think we took costumes but that one has left the old brain. Trick or treating at our house was our street only! My mother had a pet peeve about kids who went all over town with pillow cases and got them full of candy. In her eyes, they were wild, unsupervised kids and we heard a lot about how awful that was. LOL Our neighbors all did something special for us so it made it OK. The lady next door made candied apples, across the street had the best homemade popcorn balls. One of the families on the street had their uncle living with them and he gave out QUARTERS to the kids he knew. I loved that, as it was money to go to the movie on SUNDAY afternoon.

Our give out was seven milk carton tops from a local dairy with a candy of some sort hooked to it. Every Sat. the movie theater had a morning movie, sponsored by a local dairy. You could see Roy Rogers and Dale Evens in black and white for the entrance fee of seven quart milk carton tops! My sisters and I drank milk but I was the only one at an age to go to the Sat. morning movie. My uncles drank a LOT of milk and my grandmother saved the carton tops all year. So we bundled them together and gave them out at Halloween. Apparently, a lot of families struggled to come up with enough box tops for all the kids to go so we were a very popular stop on the Trick or Treat circuit.

When I was in high school, we paired up and went trick or treating for UNICEF. We collected money house to house and then ended the night with a dance at the Labor Center. What I remember the most about that is freezing feet! By the time you got to the dance, all you really wanted to do was go home and get warmed up!

When my own kids were old enough to enjoy Halloween, there are memories of school carnivals in Texas, with cake walks and games that we enjoyed so much. In Illinois, one year we had a large crop of small pumpkins in our garden. The kids and I loaded them up in a big red wagon and went for a walk. Every house we knew had kids in it, got presented with a small pumpkin. It was so much fun on Halloween, going trick or treating (again with winter coats and mittens) to see our pumpkins on display at the houses.

We try to have a special treat for the kids on our street to keep up the tradition of my childhood. Not homemade sadly, as those days are gone, but something bigger than what the other hand out might be. The past few years, we have had a family dinner of Mexican food before the grands go out to trick or treat. I stay at my daughters and hand out candy. So no one is home at our house. Julia and Colin will distribute the treats to the houses before we leave for their house. This is what we have this year.

Here are the great pumpkins that the kids painted last weekend. They will carve jack o lanterns with their dad on Thursday but this was an activity at Nana/Papa's that we try to do every year. If you carve your pumpkin too early here, you have a shriveled up, moldy pumpkin on Halloween. It is in the low 90's here during the day still and that is not a good temperature for carved pumpkins.

Julia did this one completely on her own.........his name is "Spoty". According to what she wrote, "Spoty is deadly!"

In spite of our making sure he watches nothing on TV of a violent nature, our Colin is a boy. Halloween to him means "scary" and "spooky". So we have a somewhat scary pumpkin with blood coming out of his eyes. He had some help lining up the eyes so they were even but for the most part, he did this on his own too! I love them!

I hope this brings to mind Halloween memories for all of you! If you don't have some good ones..........go make some!!!!

Cinnamon Twists

2008-10-28T22:33:00.001-07:00

We are all feeling such a pinch at the grocery store these days that stretching our food $$ is a real challenge. With everything costing so much, it is hard to provide your family with special treats now and then. I have been thinking about things I made when my kids were growing up and we lived on one income, so I could be a stay at home Mom.

These are super simple to make as well as really good and inexpensive. I made them with Julia and Colin last Sat. morning. They start with a can of biscuits. I used the Pillsbury Grands Home Style but when I did it with my kids many years ago, we just used the store brand of biscuits because one can was never enough. I was amazed at the different varieties of canned biscuits they have now. The store brand was packaged in bundles of four cans and that was more than I wanted. You just need to make sure you don't get the ones that are layered as you roll each biscuit into a long roll. (it takes some pulling but the little ones can do this). Then you roll the biscuit roll in melted butter or margarine and then roll it in a mixture of cinnamon sugar until it is coated well. Take both ends and tie it into a knot. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at the temperature given on the biscuit can. You now have a special breakfast that costs very little and makes everyone happy!

32!!!

2008-10-24T23:30:00.000-07:00

I do think I could have hand quilted a nice sized table topper in the time it took me to blanket stitch around 32 burp cloths. The stitching really adds to them and takes them from a double piece of flannel sewn together to something nice.

So, I stitched away, having visions of a sweet baby on some one's shoulder with their tiny head resting on soft colorful flannel. I stopped the vision right there because we all know what often happens when a baby burps. Didn't want to think about what these are meant to catch! Anyway, Julia got to choose first for her teacher's twins, then the Mama picked out hers for the coworker gift and then we picked out six for the friends baby. That leaves our nephew's baby that no one has taken the time to let us know if it is a boy or girl. Then my sister tells me that her son is expecting in May........so the stitching may go on and on. It is not in the AZ water folks, only three of these babies are local, one will be born in Portland, OR, one in CA and the other one in CO. The three local are folks I don't even know so I won't see the babies that use the burp cloths. Guess it is back to my vision of the sweet baby on someone's shoulder..............

I have fleece for a blanket for the friend's baby that I will hand blanket stitch around, the baby quilt to finish and two double flannel, no batting blankets to stitch for the teacher's babies. Good thing I like to do the blanket stitch.

Elk 2 My great white hunters 0

2008-10-20T21:34:00.001-07:00

The title tells the story. My great white hunters came home empty handed, well unless you count the mud that was on everything. It was cold and wet in Colorado but not cold enough to drive the elk out of the timber. They didn't see one or hear any shots. So, I am shopping the sales for meat to fill my nice clean defrosted freezer. Maybe next year..............

They were home a few days early so my great white hunter still had some vacation days left. He and I headed out for our favorite spot again, in the White Mountains. Just as we drive three hours to see and play in snow in the winter, we drive that same route to see autumn leaves. If you have ever lived where there are four seasons, you feel the need to at least experience fall and winter for a day every year. The leaves are not near as pretty this year as they have been in the past. We had a wet summer and that might explain it, plus it is still pretty warm for this time of year even in the higher elevations.

These pictures are taken just outside the road to the ski resort. There are big clumps of aspen trees all around this area.

Mail Box Treasures

2008-10-20T21:09:00.001-07:00

I have been so lucky on the blog giveaways. When I do win something, it is a shock because I never win things! So each and every package that arrives in my mail box is such a thrill. The fact that people do this for complete strangers just amazes my family. They get excited when something comes my way in the mail.

Here is my wonderful crocheted rag strip bag from Granny Lyn. She and I were both learning about rag rugs from Finn's blog. She knows more about the crochet process than I do, she made up her own pattern to make bags out of the strips. This one is one of two that she had in her give away. She even sent me balls of strips so I could try to make my own! She is a good blogger friend and I am so honored to have one of her bags.

Here is my prize from the Fall Into Fall giveaway that many bloggers took part in last week. It arrived in the mail today. Don't you just love those little salt and pepper scarecrows? They really caught my eye when I was browsing the many blogs taking part in the give away. The fat quarters are batik and I love that. Some day, I am going to figure out what to do with the batik I am collecting here and there. The purse patten looks simple enough that a non-sewer (me) can figure it out and it is just in time for some Christmas gifts that I want to make. These treasures came from Tango.

Many thanks go out to these great ladies for making my days a lot more interesting!

Huntn' Cookies or Better Known as Apple Sauce Raisin Cookies

2008-10-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

If you have a reader, you have my picture and my misspelled title. Why does it do that???? I do love it when a machine does something that makes me look not so smart!

Anyway, back to where I was before I pushed the wrong button....These are the only cookies, besides Chocolate Chip, that I remember my mother baking. I don't remember anyone being too excited about them, so I think my dad must have liked them. The great white hunter likes them when he goes hunting because they don't crumble like a crisp cookie and they stay fresh longer. He carries them in his pack when he is out in the woods. I have sent them with him every year for years and years, they are as much a tradition in our house as the chili and stew that I make for him to take.

They got the name, "Huntn' Cookies" when I made them to take to a get together with the great white hunter brother in law and his family the night before our nephew's wedding. I made chocolate chip also. When my brother in law reached in the bag and came up with a applesauce raisin, he got a big smile on his face and said, "You made huntn' cookies!" When they left for home, he had the bag under is arm and was telling everyone to stay away from HIS huntn' cookies! So, the name stuck.

Here is the picture of this years batch of "huntn' cookies" and the recipe follows.

I am not sure, but I think this recipe came out of the same Betty Crocker Cookie Cookbook that I posted about earlier.

Apple Sauce Raisin Cookies

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 egg

1/2 cup apple sauce

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

1 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix shortening, sugar and egg thoroughly. Add applesauce. Blend in dry ingredients and stir. Mix in raisins and nuts. Drop by spoonful on greased sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Enjoy!

2008-10-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

I know that last post was long and rambling. I am really not obsessed with the copyright thing. I know that no one is going to put me in jail for my quickie baby quilt. But, I do have a lot of questions about the whole thing. Everyone just seems to ignore it and do whatever.

I don't sleep well, haven't for years now. The great white hunter and I went to bed at ten thirty every night for years and years. Right after the ten o'clock news where ever we were laying down our head in our many homes. Then about seven years ago, he was laid off from a major company. For almost 11 months, life didn't have quite as much structure to it. We had things to do but could still stay up if we wanted to. Somehow my sleep patterns got messed up and I have been up and down all night ever since. Add the fact that when he did find a job, it was working nights and weekends, then a second shift. So, you never quite know what will be going on at my house at three in the morning. I might be reading or listening to music, I work on what ever project I am working on, I play games on the computer and read blogs. I would clean house but the noise might wake up the great white hunter.

Then, after two or three nights of less sleep than I need, my body crashes and I sleep and sleep, then have a hard time getting up and functioning for awhile. My DR. and I have talked about this every visit but all the help she can give me is pills and they make it worse because I am groggy in the morning. So, I just go with it. Let me tell you, there is NOTHING on TV at three in the morning, just in case you wondered.

With all the bad news that is out there, and it seems with the economy and all, there is plenty of that, I got some great news yesterday, I won one of the granny bags from Granny Lyn! She and I were doing the rag rugs from Finn's blog at the same time, but she adapted the pattern to make very neat rag bags. How cool is that? Made my day completely yesterday and I even forgot about the copyright quilt police for a while! LOL Thank you from one old fat granny to another. I will post a picture when it arrives.

What I Think About When I Can't Sleep!

2008-10-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

I have read, with great interest, over the past couple of years, a lot about copyright laws and crafty/quilt patterns given out for "free" on the Internet. My reading comes from the blogs, where the owner gives their interpretation and from the list of a Yahoo quilting group I belong to. These are layman interpretations and to be honest, don't think you can go by them. For that, you need someone who has a degree in copyright law and vast experience in that field. The laws were not written to cover the great access we now have with electronic media.

I have also, read several skirmishes that "designers" have had with folks who they claim are selling their "free" designs as their own or claiming them, or flat out not giving credit where they feel credit is due. I am amazed that anyone can claim credit for a quilt made from a block design that has been around for a couple hundred years or a block design that was made from a computer program with the basics built in. How do you define original? Is there such a thing in quilting? When does the quilt I make with a design I find in a book or on a blog/website become mine? Is it ever mine, even though I may have bought the pattern/book, fabric, thread and notions, used my sewing machine and most of all my labor to make it? I am not talking about quilts for sale here, I am just talking quilts/crafts.

When I pay money for a pattern, or when you give that pattern on a website with no charge, is it not mine at some point? Do the rights transfer to me when there is a cash exchange? Best I can figure, the answer is no unless that designer gives me those rights.

I find this scary territory for all of us. How many times have you seen the same quilt block used in quilts designed by different designers? Who is to say that if you make that quilt, place a picture on your blog and give proper credit where it is due, that someone else might come along and say it is their design you used and you did not give them credit? What if the design you got from a website is a stolen one and you don't give credit to the true designer because you did not know? In a field where nothing is really new except perhaps applique and paper pieced patterns, how can you know what is what?

The chance that anyone would pursue you for a copyright violation is small, who has the money or the legal resources to do that? But, what if someday, a publisher decides to use you as an example that they WILL enforce their copyrights? You, "Mrs Everyday, Quilt for Fun and Blogger" might find yourself in a world of trouble. I know there is abuse of copying and folks out there who steal patterns and profit by them and designers need protection, I am talking about those of us who are just thrilled to have the sharing of free patterns out there. Who will protect us?

The source of this questioning comes from my latest project. I was going through my box (es) of flannel looking for large enough pieces for the burp cloths I am making for gifts. I found enough scraps/remnants from the quilt that I made for Julia before she was born to make another baby quilt. In the interest of scrap busting, here it is. I used NO pattern, just cut the 4 1/2 inch strips, sewed them together and cut the rows. The borders also measure 4 1/2 inches. Is there a pattern out there for this quilt? I am sure there are several. Have I seen those patterns? No doubt........but this one just came about without any written instructions. How many quilts are there out there, that came about the same way, that no one gets credit for but they have been "designed" somewhere along the way and published the same exact measurements and layout? Makes you think twice about sharing your work, doesn't it?

The Momma has claimed this one for a gift for her co-worker. I have the backing and the batting, just need to move on to the next step.

Fall, Arizona Style

2008-10-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

If your image of Fall is beautiful colored leaves and crisp air, you would have to go to the floral department of a craft store to visit, or drive three hours to Arizona higher elevations to see the trees turn color. Our Fall is a mix of Summer and Spring. The one thing that is similar in our house to other parts of the country is HUNTING SEASON. My great white hunter and our great white hunter son #2 are gearing up for a elk hunting trip to Colorado. Now when I say gearing up, I mean several weeks of putting all their gear together, food, maps and long conversations. They both have that far off look in their eyes. When I was younger, I fought it, but I am older and wiser and just tell myself it is just a few weeks out of the year, besides, I won't have to cook while they are gone!

This has hung in our house for many years and no truer words were ever spoken. All you wives of hunters will relate I am sure. Sorry for the glare from the flash.

This is our old pop up camper, all repaired and ready to roll. It is like me, old and needed some patching before it hits the road. This belongs to the kids now, we replaced it with the RV that we don't use because the gas prices are so high. The great white hunter did tell me if gas goes under $3 a gallon, we are going to celebrate with a fill up!

The great white hunter built a new frame for the shade cloth around the raised garden bed. We planted more of the Sweet 100 grape tomatoes that we had such luck with in the spring. We did this last year and lost them to frost so cross your fingers.

The grape fruit will start turning in month or so. They are good size but we don't have as many as we should. Julia and Colin had a great time this spring picking smaller ones off the tree........oh well, we just give them away anyway.

Lemons on our neighbors tree that falls over into our yard. There are lots and they are good sized this year.

When the temps start to fall, the roses start to bloom. The buds are tiny and sometimes not formed really well, but bless their stems, they give a effort. It is like they are saying, "We survived!" in spite of the blazing hot summer. They will bloom now until the weather turns colder.

The hibiscus is full of full sized blooms and I enjoy it so much. This one thrives on heat, we have lost several of these to frost though. I look out my kitchen window and see the two that we have in bloom and the day is good! Who needs fall leaves? (I do but that is another post).

Last but not least, the VERY best part of our Fall. This was taken last week about ten o'clock in the morning. It is supposed to be cooler this week with some small chance of rain.

Donations, Warning This is a RANT!

2008-09-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

I just got off the phone with the American Diabetes Association. Reason for the call was that I had not sent them a new donation which would mean that I would continue to receive their magazine. They have been calling four and five times a day for the last two weeks. Get in line folks, there are several before you.

We don't make large donations to any one cause but I have made various donations for various reasons to several. What thanks did I receive? Let's see, I have more unordered address stickers than anyone could use in a life time. Add to that greeting cards, note pads, and calenders. Why? Because they SOLD our name and address to other fundraising organizations who, thinking they had a sucker on the line, sent their solicitations to us also.

The folks who run the solicitations for the Komen Cancer foundation are one of the worst. We donated to them by sponsoring a co worker at the great white hunter's work place in a Walk for the Cure several years ago. That started multiple mailings from them and the others they sold our address to. Then we sponsored our daughter in a walk for cancer, in the name of a good friend who had lost her battle with breast cancer. So, here comes the flood of mail and phone calls from that direction. The Arizona Lung Association sent me some cards I liked, so I sent a donation to them. Our daughter has asthma and so does Julia, so it felt like the right thing. Oh my, do those folks think we use address labels in HUGE amounts! I finally wrote both the Komen folks and the AZ Lung Association and said, "STOP, I am not sending more money every time you send me something, so please use the money that would be spent to solicit us every six weeks for needed research." It worked but only after I did it several times.

Add the National Wildlife folks who think because I bought wild life magazines for the grands that I have unlimited resources to save every species of endangered animal out there. Then there are the organizations who want to protect the environment and so on and on. All good causes, I know, but we are just average people trying to now and then do the right thing.

My feeling is that the thanks we get for giving is harassment, both through the mail and by phone. Sad thing is, it will make me hesitate before I make a donation next time and chances are, I will decide it is not worth it to have my money used to send more address labels to more folks rather than use it for the research that I thought I was supporting.

OK, got that off my chest and crawled off my soap box. I had a choice, I could rant about the political system in our great country or charity organizations. There is not enough space on Blogger for me to take on the political thing, so I will sit on that one for a while.

Busy Week

2008-09-22T02:13:00.000-07:00

Last week I got a email from "the Mama" (DD) wanting to know if "you are interested in some Utah peaches?" They belong to a fruit and veggie co-op where they go about every three weeks and get a basket of assorted fresh fruit and vegetables for a great price. She often shares with us, so nothing goes to waste. I am thinking maybe a peach pie and sliced peaches for my Special K, so I wrote back and said, "Sure."

Later in the week, she emailed that she had signed up for peaches on Sat. These were a extra that they were offering their members, not part of the regular basket. Then on Friday, she told me she had ordered some tomatoes too. I am thinking BLT sandwiches and salad for next week. Yum!

The kids had a Nana/Papa sleepover on Friday night, so when we took them home on Sat. afternoon, we got our peaches and tomatoes...........a HALF a case of each. She had to take a whole case, so we got half. Quite a few more of each than I had planned on.

So this week will be spent baking peach pie, trying a frozen peach yogurt recipe in my new ice cream maker and preparing the rest of the peaches to freeze, making fresh salsa and spaghetti sauce for the freezer plus dealing with the large amount of apples that are left from the apple picking trip. I think I have enough applesauce so I will make apple pie filling or just freeze sliced apples for pie. I froze corn in the spring. Last week I made a huge batch of chili and froze it for quick meals. I will do the same with stew later this week.

End result will be a freezer full of fresh goodness for the winter! My great white hunter and the great white hunter son #2 are going to Colorado elk hunting next month so we are crosssing our fingers that they will have good luck and we have meat for the freezer. I have the great feeling that my great grandmother's used to have after the crops were in and the food stored for the winter. Now I need to finish a quilt to keep my family warm, finish a rag rug and whatever else needs done to prepare for the hard AZ winter. LOL I feel like a squirrel.

Here is my share of the "good stuff".

Did I Say "BABY"?

2008-09-17T22:30:00.001-07:00

I took the picture of my burp cloths, and sat down to write the post. When I turned around, here is what I found. I think she approves.

Add washing to the list of things to do to the cloths before they become gifts!

Baby Boom

2008-09-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

Julia came home from school last week with exciting news. Her teacher told the class that she is expecting twins! She told them she was going to find out if she was having boys or girls, or one of each, and would tell them. Julia told DD that was good because then Nana would know what to make for them. Yesterday, the teacher told them she is having a boy and a girl. The Momma is taking Julia to pick out flannel for blankets. I just sew two pieces of flannel together and blanket stitch around them. They are great for Arizona, where a quilt is sometimes too much. We used them a lot with the grands.

Our nephew and his wife are expecting baby number four. This one follows three precious little boys and the entire family is hoping for a girl to round out their family. A co worker of DD is expecting a girl. A close friend of our daughter and son in law is expecting his first, and we are excited. They have all been friends since seventh grade, so he is almost one of the family.

I dug out my stash of flannel, the great white hunter sent me to buy more and the burp cloth marathon is in full swing, to be followed by the two layer flannel blankets and fleece blankets edged in the blanket stitch. I love the finished handmade look that the blanket stitching adds to these simple items. When gift giving time rolls around, we will be ready.

Here is a start, I have more cut out and waiting to be sewn together. The three in front will be ready to go after a light pressing.

Apples and Grandma Toot's Biscuits

2008-09-08T20:37:00.000-07:00

I have posted the last three years about going outside of Wickenburg, AZ to pick apples from a orchard out in the middle of the desert. We did that on Saturday so I am busy making my Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce that I posted last year. Most of this will be for the freezer. There will be a pie or two plus apple crisp. I love the feeling of using fresh fruit now and having the results mid winter.

There weren't many apples this year. The lady said they had a late frost. Too, a lot of them had worm holes, as these apples are not sprayed in anyway. We did get quite a few though. Colin loves to take Nana's applesauce in his lunchbox so I need to make a extra this year.

My Colin also loves homemade biscuits. So what is a Nana to do but make sure that a little boy has things that show him how much Nana is thinking about him? Julia likes the biscuits too, but it is not as big a thing with her as it is with him. He told the pre-school teacher last year, that his Nana could make anything. That is a high standard he has set for me! I am working hard to live up to it.

I grew up with biscuits made from Bisquick about twice a year. When they put them in a pop open can, we had them more often. I was amazed when the great white hunter told me that his mother made biscuits almost every day. I was even more amazed when I saw how she made them. I thought the main ingredient in biscuits was shortening but these are big and fluffy, and have two ingredients!

She makes them by pouring flour in a bowl, adding enough MOCHA MIX coffee creamer to make a dough, cuts them, and adds them to a pan that she has poured a little vegetable oil in, turns them to coat on both sides and pops them in the oven. I had to stand there and watch several times just to get the feel of the process. Then my kids wanted me to write it down because they said it was no good to them in MY head. I took the time one day to measure and this is the result. I use buttermilk because we don't use coffee creamer. I do use buttermilk in my cornbread so I don't waste what I don't use for biscuits. We also don't have these everyday. They are the big draw for Christmas breakfast with gravy and I have been making them a couple times a month for Colin to take home and have for breakfast.

Grandma Toot's Biscuits

2 to 2 1/2 cups SELF RISING flour (do not use all purpose)

1 to 2 cups buttermilk (today I used about 1 1/2 cups)

Mix about 1 cup buttermilk into flour, keep adding buttermilk a little at a time until you have a dough that is moist but not really sticky.

Flour a surface and place the dough on the flour. Knead dough a few times into flour until it no longer sticks to your fingers. ).

Flatten out and cut into circles. I used a 11" by 7" by 1.5" pan but a 8" square pan works as well. Pour about 1/4 cup oil in the pan, lay each biscuit in oil, then turn over to coat. Bake at 375 until golden brown. (about 40 minutes for my pan today.)

Now for some reason, I sometimes end up with a tough bottom crust, don't know why and I am sure there is someone out there who could tell me, but, I have my own solution. When I take these out of the oven, I immediately cover them with foil. That seals in the steam and it keeps them moist and makes the bottoms soft.

Serve with butter for Colin, butter and honey for my great white hunter and Julia, and gravy for my great white hunter son and my son in law.

Wash Out

2008-09-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

We worry more about lack of rain in AZ than we do actually rain. It is routine to schedule outdoor weddings, birthday parties, sporting events, festivals and the like without so much as a back up plan for bad weather. Of course this sometimes backfires with Mother Nature being who she is. But, it does rain more in the higher elevations than here in the valley and when it is raining in the valley, it is most likely raining higher up. I know that, my family knows that.

We had planned picnic for a late birthday celebration for me. They had surprised me by us all going out to dinner the weekend after my birthday but we still planned on this trip. I bought hamburgers and brats and all the fixings. We loaded the car and met everyone for breakfast. The sky is full of gray clouds. The sky has been full of gray and sometimes black clouds for the last week. I said it was going to rain, NO one listened. We ate and loaded up for the trip north.

All was well until we got to the planned meeting place before heading for the lake. It was cloudy but the great white hunter assured me that the clouds were heading the other direction. DD and family were at the meeting spot when we got there but great white hunter son #2 was not. We waited awhile and then decided to go back and check to see if we could locate him. He was along side the road with his Jeep hood up, he had a engine light go on and things didn't feel right. Oh, and by this time, it had started to drizzle. My great white hunter helped him check things out and then son headed back to town. It is raining harder so we go to get DD and family. By the time we got back to them, it was raining so hard that you could not see two feet in front of the car. Hmmmm, guess who is doing a slow burn in the passenger seat?

We drove back to Payson, where it was not raining, by the way. We met up again with our son long enough for him to find a auto parts store, then went to the park in the middle of town where they have a great lake for the kids to fish in. All ended well with the kids getting to fish, Julia caught five tiny blue gills that they put right back in. With help from his great white hunter uncle, Colin caught two but he was more into the neat stuff Papa put in his tackle box. The rest of us hung out and enjoyed the lake and the lovely green grass at the park. The trip ended with lunch at our favorite resturant and a very special birthday gift for Nana.

The great white hunter and I had hamburgers yesterday and brats today. And, I never did say "I told you so!" but they knew............LOL

If you look really close, there is a fish there.

Here is a special picture of three of my favorite fishermen.

Tripping Down Memory Lane

2008-08-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

I had my teens in the wooly and wild Sixties, but I remember all of this. This one really brings all those memories rushing back. How in the heck did I get so old so fast?

For a great trip back, click on this.

Take Me Back To The Fifties

Rethinking

2008-08-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

I love this block. It is easy to do and so striking. I am not sure about mixing them up though. Not sure if it is my color mix or what but not as excited about the the end mix. Maybe more colors will help?

I saw a medium brown batik at Joann's that I love and think a quilt made with that and a lighter brown would be wonderful. I definitely plan to do one with just two colors.

As with all my quilts, it is a journey. This one might be more about color that I thought. Now the question is, what do I do with all these wonderful blocks if I decide it is a no go?

2008-08-28T22:48:00.000-07:00

If you have Google Reader, the link does not work for the quilt pattern, Try this. Hopefully that one will do it.........if not, maybe do a search> :)

Out of the Slump and Out of the Box

2008-08-28T22:24:00.000-07:00

Drum roll, please, light the fireworks, sound the gong, do the dance. I cleaned the rust off my cutter, dusted the mat and sewing machine, changed the bobbin and found the pins.

Today someone put a message on my Yahoo group about a quilt called "Bento Box" The pattern is here. The first thing I thought of when I saw it was all those cool fabrics that I got in my Goodwill haul not long ago. They are great prints, but they are just pieces and not enough to do much with unless you mix them. So...........here is what I have so far. The four sections in each square aren't sewn together, they are mixed with each other to make a scrappy block. I really need to do some other color combos to get a good mix but this is my start.

Here is what they will look like when I have enough to start mixing them up. The blue greens are really different, but look the same in the picture. I will have some pinks and reds and yellows combos to mix in with these.

Now is this what I should have done? Started something new when I have a quite a stack of UFO's waiting for my attention. No, but it was fun and at least I did SOMETHING after a long break in the quilting action around here.

I did this in the middle of a raging thunderstorm. The lights kept blinking and we lost the satellite TV reception for a while. See what happens when Nana gets her groove back? I was sure praying that I would not be sitting here by candle light wanting to sew and not able to.

Life Mysteries

2008-08-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

While I have not done much quilting or stitching this summer, I don't want you to think I have been completely idle. I have, on occasion, put my book down or turned off the Scrabble game long enough to do some deep thinking. I even did some of that while waiting for the other person on Scrabble to figure out that there is NO two letter combination for the letter C.

Yesterday, I opened my cupboard and had plastic storage dishes and lids spill out. Enough was enough! I emptied it all out on the counter and decided two things. Number one, I had some really nasty looking plastic there that had been around way too long. Number two, there were a lot more lids than dishes. So, I began matching lids to dishes, putting aside the old stuff that I was throwing away. Hmmm, way more lids than dishes.

Then today I tackled the plastic thow-a-way dishes and lids in the upper cabinet. (you know, "Gladware".) Funny thing, there were dishes with no lids as well as extra lids.

Here is the pile of single dishes and lids who have no soul mate.

Which brings me to my question on the mysteries of life. How can this happen? I will say that no doubt, I saw a nasty dish and threw it away, and neglected to toss the lid too. Surely that didn't happen every time. If I gave away a left over, surely I put a lid on it and what went out the door was a complete set? If they returned the dish, (note the IF, these are my grown children I am talking about), I must have gotten a complete set back?

I guess I will add this to my other list of things that will be forever a mystery, like how can you put two socks in the washer and come out with one, or better yet, how the mate to the sock you threw away a year ago, suddenly appears. Then there is the lint in the belly button thing ....................

Needless to say, I need some plastic storage dishes that have lids. That is on the list for the next shopping trip, unless I decide that I like the neat and tidy cupboard better. The pile of wayward lids will go in my Goodwill donation. I bet there is someone out there with dishes and no lids.

Maybe I should stick to Scrabble?

For the Momma

2008-08-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

I finished the kids hand print quilts over the weekend. So at least I did ONE thing over the summer. They gave them to her yesterday, and everyone was pleased with the result. Now, if I can just keep the juices flowing here, I might do something else besides play Scrabble on the computer and read books.

It is a stormy night here in AZ. After several days of above average heat, it is wonderful to see the rain. It is coming up from the Gulf and Julio so will be this way for a couple of days. That is OK with me, did my grocery shopping tonight and will happily stay home and watch it rain.

Still Kicking

2008-08-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

I am still alive! I have found myself in the rather odd mood, for me anyway, of not having much to write about. Not even a rant in me lately. I am just enjoying a lazy summer here in AZ. Finished Colin's hand print quilt and working on Julia's a little at a time, reading lots of books and watching the Olympics on TV. I was worried about my lack of creative motivation for a while but lately, I am going with the flow. When the time is right, the spirit will move. That leaves boring blog posts but better than than pictures of messy closets

My great white hunter and I had a wonderful long weekend last week. We headed to the White Mountains and had a enjoyable mini vacation. Here he is trying to catch the big one.
.

Here is the reason why our trip to the lake was rather short. A storm was moving in when we got there and kept on coming. It rained quite a bit that evening. We are managing to get rained on every time we head out this year. It has been a wet summer and in our dry climate, that is a real blessing.