Let me introduce you

I want to take this space tonite to introduce you to a very special friend of mine.  Her name is Jill.  I met Jill when I first got online about 12 years ago.  Like all good friends, we get caught up in real life and send each other forwards, giggles, have had a few heart to hearts and I have to say that she has added much joy to my life in the last decade.  She is multi talented and probably about the most giving person I have ever been privileged to know.  If she has it, you need it, you got it. The kind of friend that sends you real honest to goodness snail mail when you least expect it but most need it.  Can you tell I just loves me some Jill?  Like a good secret that you can't wait to tell, I am sharing her with you.
Jill has just started a blog.  And I know it will be a fun one to read.  But her first real post has a special urgency to it.  Please take a moment, go and visit Jill.  And then go back and visit her again in the future.  You won't be sorry. 
http://untieribbons.blogspot.com/

It's Shocking to Think of - Really!

I received this as a forward.  I am not even going to try to snopes it.  It just makes so much sense and is shocking when I think of it.

Have you ever noticed girls who set their handbags on public toilet floors, then go
directly to their dining tables and set it on the
table?
Happens a lot!   It's not always the 'restaurant food' that causes stomach distress. Sometimes
'what you don't know will hurt you'!

Read on.............
Mom got so upset when guests
came in the door and plopped their handbags down on the counter where she was cooking or setting up food. She always said that handbags are really dirty, because of where they have been.

It's something just about every woman carries with them. While we may know what's inside our handbags, do you have any idea what's on the outside?
Women carry handbags everywhere; from the office to public toilets to the floor of the car. Most women won't be caught without their handbags, but did you ever stop to think about where your handbag goes during the day.

'I drive a school bus, so my handbag has been on the floor of the bus a lot,' says one woman. 'On the floor of my car, and in toilets.'
'I put my handbag in grocery shopping carts and on the floor of the toilet,' says another woman 'and of course in my home which should be clean.'

We decided to find out if handbags
harbour a lot of bacteria. We learned how to test them at Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake , and then we set out to test the average woman's handbag.

Most women told us they didn't stop to think about what was on the bottom of their handbag. Most said at home they usually set their handbags on top of kitchen tables and counters where food is prepared. Most of the ladies we talked to told us they wouldn't be surprised if their handbags were at least a little bit dirty. 

It turns out handbags are so surprisingly dirty, even the microbiologist who tested them was shocked.

Microbiologist Amy Karen of Nelson Labs says nearly all of the handbags tested were not only high in bacteria, but high in harmful kinds of bacteria. Pseudomonas can cause eye infections, staphylococcus aurous can cause serious skin infections, and salmonella and e-coli found on the handbags could make people very sick.

In one sampling, four out of five handbags tested positive for salmonella, and that's not the worst of it. 'There is faecal contamination on the handbags' says Amy. Leather or vinyl handbags tended to be cleaner than cloth handbags, and lifestyle seemed to play a role.... People with kids tended to have dirtier handbags than those without, with one exception.

The handbag of one single woman who frequented nightclubs had one of the worst contaminations of all. 'Some type of faeces, or possibly vomit' says Amy.

So the moral of this story is that your handbag won't kill you, but it does have the potential to make you very sick if you keep it on places where you eat. Use hooks to hang your handbag at home and in toilets, and don't put it on your desk, a restaurant table, or on your kitchen countertop. 

Experts say you should think of your handbag the same way you would a pair of shoes. 'If you think about putting a pair of shoes on your countertops, that's the same thing you're doing when you put your handbag on the countertops.'
Your handbag has gone where individuals before you have walked, sat, sneezed, coughed, spat, urinated, emptied bowels,
etc!

Do you really want to bring that home with you? The microbiologists at Nelson also said cleaning a handbag will help. Wash cloth handbags and use leather cleaner to clean the
bottom of leather handbags. 

November: Kick off time for celebration seasons

Hello Folksies!
It's Veteran's Day!  Hope that everyone who reads this remembers to wave a flag and thank a Veteran for their loving service to our great nation.  God Bless America!

November always heralds the kick off for Christmas. Ever notice that in the past few years you are hearing Christmas songs on the tv before Halloween? Good grief. As if I don't have enough stress already! Look at it from my point of view. For the next few months it is non stop celebrating. It begins with Mr. Luscious and his birthday.
Then a few days later comes my dear sweet Mommy's birthday: Here they are last year:


Last year Mom spent most of it very ill for months on end. This year she is doing much better and we are planning an all out big celebration of good health.

Then comes my oldest one's birthday:

Since he is a newlywed, I am certain his birthday will be extra special in the celebrating department this year.

Then comes my birthday. Oh yeah, we won't mention the candles on my cake:
Following closely on that day is


Then right after that is my wonderful SIL's birthday:

Then shortly after that is Baby Girl's day

How can anyone not want to celebrate my Daddy's birthday! He's my own personal hero.  WWII would have not been won had it not been for my dear daddy!


The flurry of birthday celebrations end with Middle Son's birthday:

Once we get done with all that partying, it is a quiet few months.  But my clan always looks for a reason to party.  After all, everyday is someone's birthday.  Yep, we like having un birthday parties round here!  Pick out a date, bake a cake, make a pot of food and it's a party here. 

What's in a name?

We all know that Shakespeare said that a rose by any other name would still smell sweet. The Word of God tells us that : A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (proverbs 22:1)
Well sir, I was raised to keep my name good and clean. It was always the parting words of my parents - remember to keep your name clean. I guess back then it meant all sorts of different things. I mean, we all know folks who have a "name". There was that girl in junior high who got in "trouble". Her name became Mud.
And that fellow in high school who accidentally on purpose put sugar in the principal's gas tank. His name became Delinquent and was soon given a number instead of a name by the State D.O.C.
We are given our name by our parents and I don't know very many folks who would have chosen their own name to be what was given them. Take me for example. My birthname is Beverly. Kinda rolls off the tongue okay, I reckon. Never heard a song about a Beverly. It doesn't rhyme with anything.



My dear favorite uncle nicknamed me Blondie when I was a little gal in pig tails. He would holler out HEY BLONDIE! just like Dagwood did on the radio and tv show.



I am more of a Blondie than a Beverly. Why in the world did my folks decide that I would be a Beverly. I was named after my Mother's baby sister, who died at 14 years old, while in her sleep from rheumatic fever. It wasn't too many years later that I came along and the folks decided to show honor to her. When I was a little one and was told that I was named after a little girl that died, well, you know me and my great imagination. I was afraid to sleep for years! Note to readers: if you name your child after a dead relation, make sure they lived a long life.



Since we are talking about kids and names, I will state here that I named all my children after my heros in the Bible. I have a Paul, Joshua and a Sarah. I think their names suit them. I was so caught up when I had Joshua, that I named him Joshua Isaac David. If I could've fit a Solomon in there, I would've. His name goes before him as a testimony of sorts and it's a pretty stiff name to live up to.
Speaking of living up to names - when you hear certain names, you know exactly who and what they are.
Hitler, Bundy, Dahmer, Gacey, anathemas all . Then there are the folks in town - every small town has them. In all honesty, big towns have them as well, you just don't realize they may be your neighbor. I am not speaking of serial killers or criminals here. These are the ones that your parents and grandparents warned you about:
You're gonna wind up like those good for nuthin' Joneses. Why, they never knew how to hit a lick at a snake. In fact, I don't think they know how to find their backside with both hands.
These folks were the scourge. Everyone single one them was a born bad seed. You know how that Muckenfuss clan is. They were born to make a fuss. Some folks just live up to their name.


So what's in a name? The only thing I really care about is that my name is written in the Lambs Book of Life.
(Revelation 21:27) That regardless of what my name is here on this planet, how many ways folks can mispronounce names, change their name, misspell names, my name will never be forgotten.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The above post is for Sarah. She always bugs the snot out of me with the most inane questions, like, why did you name me Sarah? I hope I have explained this thoroughly enough for you. My brain has a tendency to do random things like get caught up on one thought and then chasing another one down.

Thanks also to Sarah for another award.

I'm supposed to post 7 honest things. I think I just did. I mean, my even remembering the last name Muckenfuss should count for at least 3 of those. Everything else comes from the scrap pile of my mind. Yep. I think I could count that pile above as about 7 things you can figure out about me.

I'm impressed

My own honeychile daughter gave me this blogging award. I guess it's because I'm her Mom. Certainly not because I have been especially creative in my blogging recently. Sorry to have been so busy with other things lately.
I'm supposed to tell 7 things that you don't know about me? Good grief, that would take forever to figure out. I will attempt it here:
1. I have a degree in English from the University of South Carolina
2. I learned to speed read years ago.
3. I love to read true crime stories
4. I always put a bit of coffee in my spaghetti sauce to "age" it. (hehehe, for you primmers out there, you will appreciate that one.)
5. I always have more than one crafting project going on at the same time
6. Fall is my favorite season
7. I hate housework

Okay, now I am supposed to pass this one to 7 blogging friends and they are to post this award to their site.
I will get the mail out to you as soon as I figure out who to send this one to!

Welcome Fall

Okay, so it October 2 already. I am having a hard time keeping up with time in general!
Where are all the days flying off to? And why can't I catch up to them?!

The mornings and evenings have taken to being chilly. The leaves will soon begin their
colorful display before they fall to the ground. I love Fall. It has always been my favorite
season. I like the other seasons fine. Well, I don't really enjoy the frigid weather of deep winter,
I enjoy spring and the promise of fresh flowers, the scent of freshly mowed grass, the feel of
the dirt in my hands in planning and planting for summer.

But Fall. Harvest time. The smell of woodstoves burning the chill off is a comfort to me.
I like bonfires, sweater weather and high school football games on Friday nights.
I like hot chocolate, airing out the handmade quilts to snuggle under.
I enjoy watching the squirrels scurrying around gathering their food for the winter.
I notice the birds at my feeder are even more attentive, fattening themselves up.

I like Fall.

Happy Anniversary, Baby Girl

Wow, talk about something good happening. Today has been the anniversary of my baby girl, Sarah and her own quiet man, Jason. I told her I would blog about it and put Dannys Song on. Now, don't go getting excited folksies. She ain't pregnant with a son. She isn't even pregnant at this time. (y'all will be the first to know after me!) But she is devoted to this sweet love song; especially the line that goes "Even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you honey" . I feel that one with you, Sayrah.

I know we all love our kids to pieces, even though they can drive us to distraction. Sarah is my own personal little ray of sunshine. I like to think that she has brightened the last three years for her hubs. I would like to thank him every day for keeping her happy, too.

Love is blind. Yep, it sure is. When they were just starting to date, Sarah got sick as the proverbial dog. I think she had the sixth disease or something like that. Seriously. She was really really sick. She looked as bad as she felt. That didn't stop our boy Jason from wanting to be next to her. Thankfully, he didn't catch what she had but I knew then that any guy that thinks a woman looking at her absolute worst looked good - well, that gave him some points in my book.

So happy anniversary, baby. Got you on my mind.

I received this email today: I don't get political too often but this just makes my blood boil.

After receiving over 5,400 letters from Change.org community members, the Department of Labor released their long-awaited report on goods produced by child labor and forced labor today. Thank you all for urging DOL to release this important tool for consumers!

This list was mandated by anti-trafficking legislation back in 2005, but the Bush administration dragged their feet for years. Now, thanks to your voices and the hard work of NGOs like Polaris Project and the International Labor Rights Forum, it's finally here. This list is a huge boon for consumers who want to choose slave-free products. With this list, we as consumers can finally hold companies and countries accountable for the slavery they use in making the goods we buy, and we can decisively take action to prevent slavery in the production of consumer goods. Today, we as consumers are more powerful to end slavery than ever before. And you, through Change.org, helped make that happen.

The report tops out at a daunting 194 pages, and can be read in it's entirety here. But let's face it -- no one wants to read 194 page government report, no matter how useful it may be. So here are some of the highlights I've found in my initial read-through:

• The most common goods which have significant incidence of forced and/or child labor are cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, coffee, rice, and cocoa in agriculture; bricks, garments, carpets, and footwear in manufacturing; and gold and coal in mined or quarried goods.
• 122 goods in 58 countries are produced with a significant incidence of forced labor, child labor, or both.
• More goods were found to be made with child labor than forced labor.

There's a long, detailed list that's a little blandly formatted, but it indicates whether goods in a certain country are made with child labor, forced labor, or both. It's important to keep in mind this doesn't mean all goods from that sector in that country were produced with exploitation. Here are some of the worst offenders for forced labor or slavery specifically:

• Bolivia: nuts, cattle, corn, and sugar
• Burma: bamboo, beans, bricks, jade, nuts, rice rubber, rubies, sesame, shrimp, sugarcane, sunflowers, and teak
• China: artificial flowers, bricks, Christmas decorations, coal, cotton, electronics, garments, footwear, fireworks, nails, and toys
• India: bricks, carpets, cottonseed, textiles, and garments
• Nepal: bricks, carpets, textiles, and stones
• North Korea: bricks, cement, coal, gold, iron, and textiles
• Pakistan: bricks, carpet, coal, cotton, sugar, and wheat

I'm sure in the coming weeks and months there will be additional levels of analysis of the data the DOL has collected. For example, I would be extremely interested in the most natural next step -- finding out what companies source problem products from problem countries and ship them to the U.S. I'd also be interested in seeing the breakdown for services, which is not included in this report. Hopefully, we can look forward to that level of analysis coming soon. And if not, I might just go ahead and do it myself.

In the meantime, this report gives consumers a lot to keep in mind as they try and shop responsibly. I know I'll be checking to see if my Christmas decorations were made in China a little more closely this year.

While it is wonderful to have the proof in writing that this has been going on, what I really want to know is WHY ARE WE STILL DOING BUSINESS WITH THESE COUNTRIES?! Wake up America. Let your elected officials know that this is unacceptable, immoral and totally against our American heritage of liberty. After all, do all these things NEED to be imported? Can't we manufacture these items here and thereby stimulate the economy? I guess I just don't understand importance of having no middle class in America any longer. Perhaps we are destined to be a third world nation ourself. C'mon, get real! Write and call your elected officials and let your voice be heard about slave labor, child labor, American made products, etc.

Never Forget , Always Honor

Biggest Bestest Chocolate Chip Recipe ~ I promise!

Hold the presses! Shout it out LOUD! I have found the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe! Huzzah!
I was wanting to make some soft cookies. Googling resulted in this recipe:
Best Big Fat Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

My former Mother in Law was a great cook. Whenever I would ask her for a recipe, she would write it out for me and leave certain ingredients out - I finally figured out on purpose. When I asked her why mine meal didn't taste like hers, she would giggle and say, "w-e-e-l-l-l-l-l, I probably left out the this or that." Why? Like, was she a top secret chef? You betcha I won't do that to anyone. That is why I HAD to share my newest joy of cooking with you!

These are so absolutely easy to do; and the wonderful thing is this: it doesn't make you jump through hoops and have lots of ingredients. Elizabeth, whoever and wherever you are, I sit at your feet and beg for more. More yummy recipes that you have perfected for those of us who have an insatiable sweet tooth.

Now folksies, this is THE ONE. Go for it.

It's a done deal

Back home from the Big City



We have recently just returned from a week long journey to Minneapolis, or the North Country as we are calling it. My oldest son, Paul, got married on Friday, August 14th to a lovely, lovely girl, Amber.

We drove for various reasons, Luscious and I, along with my other two adult children, Joshua and Sarah. What a long drive! Just under 1300 miles in two days to get there and then the two day trip back. My back shall never be the same.

We were able to enjoy the countryside of states that we have never been to before. At least what one can enjoy from an interstate! We passed through Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and finally into Minnesota.

We were quite impressed with the corn and soybean fields in Indiana and Illinois. Oh and yes, Ohio had quite a few as well. Made us proud of our farmers. That's some serious farming! I would imagine that the combines are larger than my house.

Once we arrived in Minneapolis, I was excited to meet a few online friends in person. I surprised Roseann of Rosebud's Cottage with a visit:

Roseann was in the throes of a state-wide shop hop that was ending last week. Any of y'all that are anywhere in the vicinity of Minneapolis/St Paul, make sure you head on over to her shop. It is a delightful blend of folk artsy heaven. She is such a knowledgeable quilter.

I was in sensory overload, wanting not only to ooh and aah over every nook and cranny there, but to feel the fabric. Heaven couldn't be better, I am convinced. Thank you Roseann, for your graciousness at being sideswiped with surprise.

Then we also got to meet another online bud, Maureen. Luscious was quite smitten with this outgoing, Minnesota Friendly gal. I would drive the two days up there just to spend more time with her.


We stayed at a great hotel, The Residence Inn, in Roseville. A great suite with two bedrooms, two baths, a pull out sofa in the living room area and kitchenette. Not that I was doing any cooking. I was on vakay! The hotel had a tremendous breakfast bar each morning and a social hour in the evening. Now, call me country, call me nuts, but the kids and I had to take pics of the hallway.
Does it not remind you of a more narrow version of the Outlook from The Shining? I swear to goodness we kept waiting to see a little kid on a tricycle muttering "redrum, redrum" or dark haired twins wanting to play. Shudder.

We had some pre-nup events to attend, new family to meet - the festivities were full and hectic. Finally Friday arrived and I was able to get a few pics. Can't wait to see the official wedding pictures.

The rehearsal dinner was at a nice place called Dixie. I am assuming that it was chosen in deference to Paul's roots in the South.
DD Sarah with her big brother, Paul. Sarah read from ICorinthians 13 at the wedding.

The couple got married at Como Park, which for those like myself, have never visited, well, let me say this. Minneapolis/St Paul has much to be proud of. The park itself is filled with a zoo, amusement rides, picnic areas and a gorgeous botanical garden area. I wished that I had enough time to really do the tourist thing. I was wowed.

(the groom showing part of the inside of the conservatory)

the outside of the conservatory

Now for the wedding. Are you sick of my pictures yet?


The lovely bride being escorted to her waiting groom. I fell in love with her parents. They were so very gracious. My son is most fortunate to marry into this family.

The vows

Mr and Mrs at long last. Whew!

Let's eat some of this delicious cake! It was yummy; carrot cake. But look at the design. Amber was meticulous in her choices. Classy girl.

Josh and Juli hamming it up at the reception. Juli flew in from California to serve in the wedding party as one of the "best man" position.

Paul and his little ring bearer, Micah.

Had to submit this adorable pic of Micah
Paul was tickled to see Thom and Margo there. They flew in from Williamsburg, Va for the fete. Margo has been my friend FOREVER and knew Paul before he was born.
Brothers - Paul and Josh. Josh was a little teary eyed after the ceremony. He may be sentimental but he is a lionheart. Don't worry, little brother, you're next!

Lucky Me

I know it has been a month! since I posted, folksies. It isn't that I don't think about blogging every day; I truly do. I am just having problems with time management. Sigh. But the thing I just HAD to share with you is this:


A few months ago I signed on for a pincushion swap. It was secret sister style, so no one knew who was creating for who. I received my wonderful surprise pincushion yesterday! Created by Linda Shiffer , it is a great size and great weight. I am already sticking pins in it Linda! She also was creative and frugal enough (my kinda gal) to make a scissor holder from the tongue of the shoe! She has spent an enormous amount of time creatively decoupaging, snipping, embroidering, painting this most treasured work of art.
Swaps with strangers don't always work out well, although most swaps make new friends out of everyone. Thanks to Kim Pebley for hosting this one.

On another front, I am getting ready to head to Minnesota in a week. My oldest son is getting married to a lovely gal. Having never been to the midwest before, I am looking forward to the road trip.

The Humble Arts is already up for the month and we are selling fast! Please come on over and take a peek at what's left! You are sure to find something you like. If you haven't already signed up for our newsletter, you can email me to put you on it or sign up on the website.
Click Here to come in and visit




I have been busy creating Halloween goodies for a local store. It has turned into a mutually fun love affair of sorts. The owners love everything I create and in turn, I love them for that! I have been busy creating headless men, full size witches, lots of ornies for halloween trees and banners, gourd head folks and etc. That is one of the reasons I have not been able to sit at the computer for very long ~


I am hoping to be back here SOOOOOON. Now head on over to The Humble Arts! My sisters have a habit of always leaving the light on!

We've Lost our way

My mother's grandfather was from Denmark. His mother was a Russian Jew who left Russia with her family because of one of the purges. My Great Granddad arrived in the US just before the turn of the century. He was a sculptor. Living in Perth Amboy NJ, he worked for a terra cotta factory, sculpted statues, ornate tiles, and headmarkers. Here is one of his works and info from a book:


In 1895 the Danish and Scandinavian population of Perth Amboy commissioned Nels Nielsen Alling (1861-1955), a Danish sculptor, to create the statue of George Washington. It was to express pride and love for their adopted country. The funds were raised within the Scandinavian community and the statue was dedicated on 2 September 1895. Alling worked on the statue at the the NJ Terra Cotta Co in Perth Amboy


I have always been proud to be an American. My northern granny would continue with the oral tradition of telling each of her grands their family heritage - who was who and etc. We used to think she was nuts when she told us we were related to the Pilgrims and George Washington. Come to find out when one of my Uncles and Cousin did the genelogy, we ARE. Of course, George Washington had no children. But his brother did. Naturally, my relation was a servant, so we were born on the wrong side of the sheets as my granny would say.

I was raised to believe that right was might. That two wrongs didn't make a right. To always help out those with need. Never pick on the little guy. I still believe that way. Somewhere, we have lost our way. Everyone feels entitled. This country didn't start out helping everyone. The idea was that freedom meant being able to be able to help yourself! Not to have a big government do everything for you. And certainly to have freedom from taxation without representation. Of the people for the people, by the people. Somehow we have lost our way.

I wonder what my grandparents and the rest of my family would think if they were alive today and could read the papers, internet, hear the news. Would they even recognize The United States of America?

This and that and Winners!

Hello Folksies

Well, another month has bit the dust. We are officially half way through the year - quick- wash my mouth out! I can't believe I can be saying that and be telling the truth! Wellsir, in just a few days everyone will be shooting off fireworks, grilling out hot dogs, jumping in a pool, and in general having fun in the summertime. You know, enjoying their freedom. Something that we don't know how to live without. We take for granted that we have the freedom in this great country to travel where we want, worship how we desire, and the real fun part - we have freedom of speech. I like speaking my mind. I am a big letter writer. And in the recent decade of internet explosion, I have become a big email writer. I keep in touch with my Congressman, Senators and other Representatives. I let them know exactly how I think and feel about every bill that they are considering.


I read a book some years ago by John Whitehead. It was called The Stealing of America and it was about how many rights we lose each year because we choose to stay ignorant of what is going on around us. How could we EVER improve upon that sacred document - The Constitution?! If you really read the Constitution, you would see that it covers all the bases - as if our forefathers had knowledge of what would be in the future. They may have not have a clue about the radios, tvs, computers - but they sure knew human nature! Folks, we don't need new and more laws. We don't need new amendments. We need to use our heads!

If I had some real clout and some real money behind it, I would start a new political party called The Common Sense Party. I just don't see enough of that being spoken of in our state and national capitols.
I highly recommend that everyone get to know all sides of every bill being passed. In today's electronic age there is NO excuse for ignorance.

Now on to some real fun stuff! The Humble Arts is now available with their July edition. Lots of fun stuff there. My personal offering is:



Now she is as ugly as a witch should be I know, but ain't she cute? Can't help but thow some whimsy into all my clay creations. I sure would be proud if y'all would accept my invitation to visit my friends and I over at The Humble Arts.

Now for the other fun part - Let's discuss some WINNERS!!
Drum roll please ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ for those few brave souls that entered my Blogaversary giveaway, a few names were picked from the proverbial hat. In this instance, I took the names, wrote them down on scraps of paper, balled them up and threw them on the floor. Yes, I did. Then I let Dinah, my ragdoll kitty play with them. She batted them around and the ones that separated from the rest, her favorite pieces of balled up paper came out to be:
Raggedy Angel and Meadowbrook Cabin. Ladies, please email me and we will get ourselves together on the sending and receiving. Thanks for visiting!!!!!!

Now here's some more from The Humble Arts!

Look Who's Coming! Early Santa Alert!

I figgered I best give y'all a heads up on this one. Seems like the guy in the red suit is wearing his summer whites! Brrrr! Or maybe yummy, since that snow looks awfully cool in the 90 plus temps we've been having!

Mr. Santa is almost ready so keep your eyes peeled for his formal arrival!
Don't forget to sign up for my blogging giveaway; all info in below post.

Better Late than never?! Let's Giveaway!

I know I promised a Blogaversary Party and Giveaway. Well, life happens, so once we get over that idea, here I am. I have actually been quite busy creating like crazy and taking one or two orders as well. So, let's play!

I now have well over 20,000 hits - still not getting over that one - and I still can't believe I have been blogging this long. The blessing for me in all of this has been the hands extended in friendship from all over the country and the world. Thank you, friends for sticking with me.

I want to have a great giveaway. So, let's get the party rolling. First off, I am wanting to give away one of my BRAND SPANKING NEW primitive doll pattern:

These gals are super easy and man oh man, are they FUN to make. You will get your name in the drawing for this by leaving a comment and it would be extremely nice of you to add my Blondie's Blog Giveaway to your side bar or even blog about my giveaway!

I will also throw into the pot a neato pincushion



side 1 side 2





There is a sweet little felted and charm adorned pin that accompanies the pincushion. I am addicted to pincushions - they are in almost every room in my house. I am a firm believer that one is always lonesome for more.

Okay, so let's get this straight. Read this, pass it along, tell me how much you love me and you may just win one of these gifties. Oh and I guess I should say that this ends July 1. Plenty of time for y'all to enter!

Go ahead, Stick out your tongue!

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue...If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.


S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.


A dear friend just recently sent me an email with some of this info listed. I think I blogged about this a few years ago, but, guess what? I am doing it again. These are such simple tasks we take for granted. And it's good to remember these signs. Blessings to everyone today. I will be back with a blogaversary post later. I promise.

The Humble Arts, WINNERS and a Blogaversary!

Friends,
The Humble Arts June edition is now up and ready for your viewing and purchasing pleasure! Below is a small taste of what is available there.

We had lots of fun last month with feather finding and have some winners to announce on the website as well.
The winners of the drawings are as follows:
Nicola Callow
Susan Minor
Jody Sullivan
Doralyn Andrews
Chandra Koresh
Laura/ Our Lady of Grace
Donna/Cottage Days and Journeys
If you see your name here and haven't received a newsletter, let me know! You will be receiving your prize as soon as we get your info.

My own offerings are:
Bo Peep and her little Sheep

I made this doll specifically to be held and played with by small hands. She comes with a little quilt or play mat if you prefer. It is a very special set and I am certain that it will be treasured for many years to come.
I also am offering a Goldie and Momma Bear - same style - love the vintage look of embroidered faces and vintage clothing.

Sounds SO trite to say, but pictures don't really do these sets justice.

Come to The Humble Arts and find me there!
The girls and I have lots of goodies to show you.

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On a different note, I am celebrating my blogaversary as well! Not only is it my birthday blog, but I have passed a personal goal of over 20,000 visitors. Wow. That's a lot of clickers!

I will write more this week and be thinking of a giveaway. be sure to check back and be ready to send your friends too.

Happy Memorial Day

The First Official Memorial Day
May 30, 1868
Southern women decorated the graves of soldiers even before the end of the Civil War. After the war, a women's memorial association in Columbus, Mississippi, put flowers on the graves of both Confederate and Union soldiers in 1866, an act of generosity that inspired the poem by Francis Miles Finch, "The Blue and the Grey," published in the Atlantic Monthly.
The founder of the Federal Memorial Day, Gen. John A. Logan (Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic), was so impressed with the way the South honored their dead with a special day, he became convinced that such a day must be created to honor Union dead. The battlefield graves all around Richmond could be seen "marked with little white flags, faded wreaths of laurel" where family and friends of Confederate soldiers had placed them. Logan is reported to have been "deeply touched" and said "it was most fitting; that the ancients, especially the Greeks, had honored their dead, particularly their heroes, by chaplets of laurel and flowers, and that he intended to issue an order designating a day for decorating the grave of every soldier in this land, and if he could he would have made it a holiday." This of course was done at a later date, thus our National Memorial Day.

To our Heroes, none are so small as those who haven't served - with their heart, soul and body. Our Heroes presence is felt in every wave of every flag on every day - it is seen in the ripples as the wind unfurls their colors. It is heard in the shared stories of lives lived and lost.

Thank you Daddy, for being my Hero.

Blast from the Past

I was looking for a few things in my junk room and found this old photo from the 80's in there. I sat down at stared at these faces. And I began to think:
Did I ever begin to imagine how my children would grow up? Did I ever envision who they would become? And what of me? Did I ever think of where or what I would be in 20 years? Certainly not. To be specific this photo was taken in November 1988. Must've been close to Thanksgiving if I can surmise by the little Christmas tree apron my daughter is wearing. And I always wore that apron. I still have it, although it doesn't drape as sveltly these days. hahaha

We were living in Orlando Florida at the time. You know, the land where you need to run the A/C 365 - 24/7 ? We had a huge live oak in our backyard and lots of flowers that I wish I could grow in here in N.C. Down there they were perrenials; here at home they are annuals if I can even find them.



At this time, I was home schooling my children. Today they are grown. One is married and one is about to be married and the other one is studying on getting married.

I was still the center of their world, the master of their universe. Back then, every day was Mother's Day, for all the charming little gifts I would receive. I was in awe of these children and so very aware of the true gift from the Lord that they were and are.

I wanted to make their childhood magical. I wanted to capture them in a time bubble so they would always be this age. I wished more than once that I could take them all to Neverland so they would never grow up. I was Wendy to their Pan. I would read them stories each nite and each nite it never failed that I had to go into their room and warn them repeatedly to be still and go to sleep. I say their room because at this particular time, they all wanted to sleep in the same room. They loved each other's company so very much and didn't want to miss a moment of each other's thoughts and dreams. Sometimes I would stand outside that door and dream right along with them.

Today, my oldest one is a professor of science at a college in NY State. He still loves fairy tales, and that is evident in his pursuit of the science of skepticism.


Paul will be married this August to a lovely girl. I couldn't have chosen a better mate for him.


Joshua is working on getting his license for Massage Therapy. His soul mate is a wonderful girl that could have been one of mine. Just the right mixture of mischief and sweetness. He was the one that was always bringing home critters. Every family has one of those. And some things never change. He is still finding critters and bringing them home.


Sarah is married to the quietest man next to my Luscious that I have ever known. I keep telling her that still waters run deep. Sarah was the quintessential baby sister. And she ruled the roost. Come to think of it, she is STILL the ring leader.



If someone told me 20 years ago that my children would be marvelous adults I would have agreed with a certainty.
If someone had told me 20 years ago that I would be married again and be happy, I would have said they were telling a whopper. What a special gift my Luscious is to me. God always saves the best for last! It's a good thing we can't really see the future. Having always believed in happy endings, I know that the best is yet to come.

Pet Diaries

I couldn't help posting this fwd here from my gal pal, Khris - I have laughed myself silly. This is a keeper. Thanks Khris! This is for the animal lover and observer in each of you. CAUTION: No food or drink while reading this.
WHAT PETS WRITE IN THEIR DIARIES
Excerpts from a Dog's Diary.......


8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary...

Day 983 of my captivity....

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet..

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now.....

How I spend my time

Okay, let's be honest here for a moment. We all know ourselves pretty darn well. I mean after all, who knows us better than ourselves? Now I am not getting esoteric here, just being me. I am a deep thinker. Truly I am. I wonder why God chose to place the sun and moon where He did. And while I am not a astronomer, I wonder about the importance of constellations. And I wonder things like what possessed my parents to give me my name. Oh yeah, I was named after my Mom's baby sister who died of rheumatic fever when she was only 13.

I take the usual email quizzes and those sent to me on Facebook. So, it came as a surprise to me that my parents should have really named me:




You are nice, caring, and you love being with your friends. Boys drool over you and you are hot stuff.

Why does every personality test say basically the same thing? Although, the hot stuff thing is a new twist and something I haven't heard in a long time.

I remember Irene

Irena Sendler - who recently died at 98 years of age, was a 2008 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee


During WWII, Irena was given permission to work in the Warsaw Ghetto, as a plumbing/sewer specialist. She had an ulterior motive.

Being German, Irena knew what the Nazi plan was for Jews.

Irena smuggled out infants in the bottom of a tool box she carried in the back of her truck. She used a burlap sack for bigger children.

She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers wanted nothing to do with her dog. The barking covered noises of the infants and children.

Irena managed to smuggle out and save 2500 infants and children, before she was caught! The Nazi's broke both her legs and arms, and beat her severely.

Irena kept a record in a jar buried under a tree in her back yard of all the children she smuggled out.

After the war, she tried to locate all parents that may have survived to reunite families, but most had been gassed.

The children she could not reunite were placed with foster families or adopted.

Irena was nominated for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize. She was not selected. Al Gore won for a slide show on Global Warming.

Music and Me

After a few days of silence on my blog and receiving a LOT of private emails, I have put the music back up on my blog. If you find music slows you down, please feel free to shut it off. I have moved the music bar to the top, so there is NO surprise at where to find it. I don't have my own personal PC speakers set very loudly, do not personally care or responsible for those who keep theirs set on loud. I am heartily sorry for those who have difficulty with music, slideshows, large images slowing their computer down.
I do this blogging for my own self. I know that you guys read it. That is fun for me and for you. Music is part of my own personal muse. There have been many days a song has prompted me to blog. And BTW, I get many private emails and some occasional post, that the song they heard when they arrived made their day. The music on my playlist happen to be some of my personal favorites and I rearrange them now and then. This music always makes me happy and I likes being happy! If you smile a lot, you will have less wrinkles.



On another note - we are having a ball with all of you collecting feathers! When you get to The Humble Arts website, there are a bunch of feathers hidden within the pages there. This will be a month long event, so keep searching! And be sure to tell your friends. We have some great items at even greater prices available this month.

The feathers are flying!

Wow, Our Wacky Wild Wing Ding Fling has officially started over at The Humble Arts ! Be sure to take a peek around,
find feathers and let me know through here or at my email addy. It's sure to be finger licking good.
Here are some of my offerings for the month:



I am so humbled to be featured on a dear friend's blog! She does features on Fridays and picked "moi" for this week. Tina is a terrific blogger herself and is the most amazing and prolific scrap-booker I know! Check her out at:
Mommy Complex You may think you already know everything about me, since my life is an open book, but, I feel almost famous. LOL. Thank you Tina for seeing something in me that you found worthy. God is always good.

More tantalizing tidbits!

Have you ever thought, gee which came first the chicken or the egg? Well, folksies, we at the Humble Arts have got all the bases covered. We have hens, roosters, eggs - the whole gambit of goodies for you to choose from come May 1.
BUT WAIT!
For those of you who like to play to win doorprizes, this tv commercial shows you just a sampling of the goodies YOU can WIN by doing a few simple things.
First, you can get one entry in the drawing for one of these goodies by putting our fun little banner on your blog.
Secondly, you can get yet another entry in by promoting our Wing Ding Chicken Fling on your own blog.
Lastly, you can find a feather on each of the participating member's blogs - find the feather, email the member blogger with WHERE you found the feather.
BUT WAIT!
On May 1, we will also have a few feathers flying around The Humble Arts. Find those and you will get YET ANOTHER entry! Wee Dawgies!

If you have just arrived and are wondering how to go about getting the banners and links, please read the thread below. Any questions? Email me.

Giveaways

Okay folks
Here is the first rule of the Humble Arts Wing Ding Chicken Fling giveaways.
Take either picture below and post it to your blog. Leave a comment here, letting me know that you have done so. That is one automatic name in the pot for the drawings.
I will be posting some pics of the giveaways later.
If you would be so kind as to place this in your sidebar with a html/javascript, linking it to
http://www.thehumblearts.com/ with the ((a href="")) link, we will all be clucking like hens together! Yippee! Let the fun begin. If you aren't sure what the heckfire shoot I am talking about, just email me and I will walk you through it. Easy Peasy.

Here a chick, there a chick, and Giveaways

My gal pals at The Humble Arts have challenged each other to creating chickens for our May edition. We've been clucking around some ideas and have decided that we want to do some giveaways as well. There will be plenty of goodies to go around.

Now to qualify for the giveaways, we will be hiding feathers within the blogs of the Humble Artists blogs. (You will find the links in my right hand column.)

Check back later for more details . . .

Spring has really Sprung

Hello Folksies
I finally saw something today that I thought had vanished from my world. The sun. Yep. The actual, honest to goodness SUN came out today. I hated that I had to work! I wanted to be home playing, frolicking, dancing in the great outdoors. But I did the next best thing. When I got home just a wee bit ago, I took some pics to share with you. Things are really starting to come alive and bloom. It is still pretty chilly here most mornings and evenings (and some days too!) But these brave flora and fauna have been waking up and unfurling their beautimous bounty for me to see.
Below is my first azalea to bloom each year. It's in the front yard under my huge old oak tree. This was the first plant I put in the ground when I moved in this house 16 years ago. Yeah, it was one of those almost free because it's almost dead plants. My yard is full of those~


Above is my oregano already poking back up next to my trusty rusty old victory garden shovel.


Now this little lilac is very special to me. Both of my grannies are long, long gone. They loved each other as kindred spirits as soon as they met. They shared their love of family, stitching and gardening. They often exchanged seeds, starts, etc. This lilac was one of the sprigs that my NY Granny gave my hillbilly granny 62 years ago. I thought it was lost to me three years ago as it got all woody, no blooms and in general, doing it's swan song. One of my dear clients, a master gardener at 95 years young, told me to cut it back quite severely. I figured, what the heck. I did, it lived and is growing back nicely these days.

Here is some more of my hillbilly granny - This little patch of phlox has been salvaged and brought back to life recently. I am tickled!

Okay, you KNOW that I had to stick a weed in here. But I loves me some ajuga or commonly known as bugle weed. It is quite regal and proud. I dig it up wherever I see it in the yard and
place it where I want. I hate for it to be cut down. It only blooms a short while.

Okie Dokie, that's my blurb of happiness for the day. Hope everyone else starts to get some
good things blooming.

He is Risen.