Vintage Primitives

Never bored

2012-01-31T14:47:00.000-05:00

Hello Folksies
I am never bored. I cannot remember a time in my life when I have been bored. Oh wait, I have been bored with people, tv, music, that kind of boredom but with my own self? Nope. This is recently being tested because my sewing machine DIED on me. I thought it only needed a good D and C. Nope. I was patient, cooed sweet nothings to her . . . nada . . . opened her up again and did another clean sweep and a teensy more oil . . . nada. Rather than scream a steady stream of profanities at her, (which would have felt so much better than it sounded), I carried her to the repair shop. That was 2 weeks ago. She is having issues with her timing. I understand that it is a common enough ailment. I would like to know HOW it happened so if it was me, I wouldn't do it again.
But boredom. Hmmm. Everything I do requires some modicum of sewing. I even sew my paper crafting stuff. I know, I am odd.
I finally pulled an old cutter quilt out of the cupboard and proceeded to make lavender filled sachets, little hearts to hang in a garland and or alone in the windows.

I also decided to piece some old shirts into another quilt.

simple squares set on point with hand stitching in my favored multi colored threads.

I have also made some paper hearts and cut out all sorts of stuff and even cleaned up my studio a bit.
I am not bored. I am lonesome. For my babylock. Wah.

First project of the New Year completed

2012-01-08T10:14:00.001-05:00

Hello Folksies
I have just completed a smallish quilt for a friend's daughter. She is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of leukemia. Little Heaven is 12 years old and since being diagnosed over Thanksgiving time, has been thrown into the battlefield. Tomorrow she is scheduled to go to the hospital. I quickly pieced together this coin style quilty and finished up the hand quilting Thursday night, the binding Friday night. I will be carrying it over to their house hopefully this afternoon.

For the hand quilting, I drew circle all over and stitched them. It was a lot of fun to do that. Kinda wished I had done multi color floss but you know how my mind works. I am happy with this quilt and expect the prayers said with each piece and stitch to bring a harvest of blessings for Heaven and her family.

Welcoming 2012

2012-01-01T10:34:00.000-05:00

Has 2012 taken you by surprise? Are you ready for a fresh start and new adventures, projects? Are you a list maker ? Do you plan on getting better at organizing ~ not only your sewing/crafting area, your time, & in general, your life ?

Well, you can tell where I am going with this post I am sure. I generally do not make resolutions because quite frankly, I like being happy. And disappointment in myself does not encourage me, inspire me or make me happy. I generally like to make a list of things I have learned during the past year. It is interesting to look back over several years and see the various things I have learned - some technical, some emotional, some spiritual. If you have never done this, I highly recommend it. It can be quite an eye opener !

My thoughts and wishes and prayers for each of my online friends is for a healthy, happy, prosperous year ahead. Be good to yourself and consider others as you would yourself, too. God bless each one.

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

The past several months have been a blur on many fronts. Thought I would share a wee bit of what I've been busy with:

There were many more projects also completed between Sept and now; just can't seem to get my camera and computer to play nicely. sigh. But I think you get the idea that I have been very busy with needle and thread.

I wish everyone a Happy and Merry Christmas! See you next year!

Here comes Santa Claus

2011-09-13T08:00:00.001-04:00

I strip pieced and hand quilted robe and then decided to decoupage hit hat. He is a good sitter, waiting patiently for accoutrements. I am thinking that since he is a scrappy santa, he may need a scrappy quilt to go along with him. And I think I have just the leftover squares to accomplish that.

Middle Monday of the Month

2011-09-12T08:25:00.001-04:00

I don't know about you, but, I tend to get excited at this time of year. I am grooving on the cooler mornings and evenings. I mean open the windows up and pull up a light quilt excited! I mean, the leaves are going to be changing their clothes color soon excited! Sure, the days are still hot as blue blazes but Oh How I Love Fall! And Autumn! Whatever you call it, for me it also means getting some of my houseplants which have been enjoying the fresh air all spring and summer ready to come back inside. It also means that some of the rootings I have been working on will be put in new containers.

I am never quite ready for any season, except in my mind. You know me ~ I have the most productive mind ~ just don't always get the rest of me in gear. Well, this morning as I was cleaning the kitchen, I plucked the coffee can my hubs placed in the garbage can out. I decided I could use it as a holding planter for a rooting or two.

Now this has been done for years, so I am not as original as you may think. hehehe

Here's what I did:

Start with a coffee can

poke a few holes in the bottom. Can you tell I didn't use a hammer? I worked out all the caffeine buzz just whacking the heckfire shoot with a flat head screwdriver. Use a hammer unless you have had your coffee or spinach for the day

Here is the fun part. Purchase some shelf paper rolls (or book cover roll as it is called in some areas). Measure it out - so easy peasy because it already has a grid to mark and cut!

Now you are ready to roll! The backing peels off so nicely. If you take your time, you won't get air bubbles or wrinkles, either.

Isn't this just too cutesy?

Tada! By next spring this little pot will be overflowing with more growth.

Have a fun day!

Almost Done

2011-09-07T15:40:00.000-04:00

Guess who's coming to town?

2011-09-05T10:45:00.000-04:00

About this time of year I start getting requests for some Santa and Witchies. Thought I would share a sneak at one. The man in red will be arriving soon - he still needs his beauty sleep for now. More later . . .

Welcome September

2011-09-01T07:57:00.001-04:00

I think like most folks, I view September as a month of remembrances. Things that should not be forgotten.

I used to think of September as back to school time, but now that most traditional schools start back in August, I remember the days of a full summer ending after Labor Day. Aahh, Labor Day. Summer's last hurrah! Backyard celebrations, frisbee flying, and heralding shorter daylight hours.

I also remember at this time of year, that fall is on the way. Yes, it is still as hot as blue blazes during the day and cooler in the dark early morning hours. Have you ever noticed how many pretty webbies are being built during this time of year?

Now most of you know how absolutely petrified of spiders I am. I lived in Florida long enough to see some the size of garbage trucks. Enough said. However, I do marvel at their artwork. But they ALWAYS have a "trip wire" attached them, generally across the shrubs that line either side of my front walk. And then there is the huge oak that they can drop out of. I tend to carry a stick or broom with me when I venture out in the wee hours of the morning because I can't wait to destroy them before I walk into them. Just imagine me, slippers on, towel over my head (don't want nasty buggers in my hair! ), and a broom being swung wildly around me while I walk out my door. That's a piece of cake. Now, if my hubs has left the porch light on all night! then there could possibly be a big one hovering above the door threshold. Hey, it's happened! I am not being paranoid. Which leaves me with the problem of how do I go back in the house with that monster above my head. And notice if you will, that this is the time of year that you notice webs in the grass, INSIDE YOUR HOUSE around windows and - Oh My, I need to stop this line of thinking! I fear spiders more than the werewolves, vampires of my childhood imagination. Maybe because spiders are real and everywhere. I am sitting here shuddering.

Okay, now that I am in a sweat which is NOT from the heat, let me continue with my remembrances. Ummm, I am blank. Just the thought of spiders and I am frozen in time. Why did I have to see that trip wire this morning? I remembered that September is spider month to me.

Finished!

2011-08-30T06:48:00.001-04:00

Hello Folksies

Well, I finally finished the pineapple blossom scrappy quilt that I began in July. The blocks were all machine stitched and then hand quilted. It is a nice size and I know someone who will be thrilled with a soft, fluffy quilt.

A New Week

2011-08-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Folksies!
Last week was an interesting week of weather on the Eastern Seaboard.

First, there was the earthquake in Virginia. Oh Gracious! It will be one of those moments where those who felt it will remember what they were doing and where. I know that I was in my bedroom, laying out a quilt to see what else was needed before I added the binding. Sis was with me. The shaking started and lasted a good 30 seconds. It is amazing to think what can be said and thought in merely a few seconds.

The sound was as scarey as the earth moving. It sounded like an off balance washer on steroids. in other words, LOUD! My whole house literally was shaking. By the time it all ended, I realized, duh uh, it was a big tremor. After all, I lived in California at one time and somewhere in the dregs of my memory, the shaking movement and noise was still flickering. Top that with the news that Colorado had a quake earlier that morning. That's a whole lot of shaking going on!
To add insult to anxiety, here comes Irene.

You know how the media loves a good disaster. 24/7 coverage was everywhere. I am thankful that the media and government seemed to take this would be monster as seriously as they did. Some people around the world have complained that we (the USA) didn't cover Libya and Ghaddafi and the rest of the world news enough. Oh good grief! Tell that to those who didn't heed the warnings and lost their lives to Irene's waters, winds. Tell that to those who are still without power, but thankfully because of the dire warnings were prepared with provisions. Tell that to those who are flooded with water and sand. Then look for Ghaddafi in a spider hole like Hussein hunkered down.

We here fared very well through all of last week, regardless of the weather. We lost power for a short while due to a downed tree. It will be a good addition to our woodpile for this winter.

I found it fascinating when I read that the last big quake that shook Va in 1897 (and it wasn't a 5.9) was followed by a hurricane.

Okay folksies, I am rambling and deterriorating as I do. The sun is coming up, birds are at my feeders, it is a brand new week and I am finally going to be finishing up a few projects this week.

Paper Piecing

2011-08-16T08:21:00.001-04:00

I started paper piecing out of desperation. I think I have shared with you that I was taught to quilt by my illiterate grandmother. I used cardboard cereal boxes as templates and looked at pictures. My blocks were not the most accurate and yet, I still love those old quilts. Since the invention of the internet (should I say a sarcastic thank you to Mr. Gore?), I have discovered that for all these years I have been doing everything WRONG! After hours of drooling, I am now the proud owner of a rotary cutter or two, a few cutting mats, and a quilt pattern library at my fingertips. Along the way I discovered paper piecing. Huzzah! I love to paper/foundation piece. It is a great for sharp points and accuracy. Lord knows I can use all the accuracy I can get. I love paper piecing. It is like coloring a picture with your fabric. If you can follow the numbers, you can certainly paper piece! Now generally speaking, most paper/foundation piecing patterns have a built in seam allowance for joining all your pieces together. However I have run into a few that require you to add the 1/4 inch yourself. Make certain you check this out before you jump in feet first. Ask me how I know. You may remember how enthusiastic I can be. Another thing to remember is to set your stitch gauge to a very short stitch. I like my setting at 1.6 or 1.8

Supplies:
Paper pattern ~ I like to print out my patterns using construction paper or scrap pads from the $ Stores - lightweight and tear off very easily
Assorted fabric scraps in various sizes
Straight pins
Iron
Jack the Ripper
Paper scissors
Rotary cutter

When you are ready to sit for a bit and give this a try, first off look for an easy beginner block to try. Quilters Cache has quite a few. The one I am using for this example is from Ula Lenz's drool worthy site:

Using your paper scissors, cut the blocks apart but keep the small picture of the finished block handy. This is important if you have a tendency to get lost in the pattern or get interrupted frequently and forget what you are doing.

Cut out enough fabric to make sure you are going to be able to catch some of it on the next piece of fabric. This will generally say 1 or A . You may want to use a straight pin to anchor it temporarily.
Place this piece right side up. In other words, wrong side of fabric to the back of the paper pattern.

Next you will begin to add your next piece. You will place this piece right side down. Your fabrics will now be right sides together. Sew on the line that says 2. once completed, flip over press and trim close to the seam. Be sure you sew until you reach the seam allowance line.

A word of caution . . . Notice how much larger the scrap piece I am using is compared to the actual size on the template? I have learned to err on the side of caution when it comes to making sure the small scrap I am using will be enough to cover with plenty of seam allowance once it is flipped, pressed and trimmed.

Continue around your block, adding your fabrics.

One little puzzle block done and now I am on another one.

Here is where I show you where to trim: Can you see the seam where I have sewn? Fold back your paper

And this is where you would trim.

Once you have have all your little blocks sewn, it is time to get out the rotary cutter and mat

Trim them neatly with your spiffy rotary cutter on the outside seam line. I know your stitches don't reach that, but you will see why that matters in a minute

Now is the time it is a good idea to have your master block picture available for scrutiny. Almost like a jigsaw puzzle, right? Start matching your blocks and right sides together, sew them on the 1/4 inch seam. It may help to have a pin hold in place until you get started on the stitch.

Continue matching seams and soon you will have a gorgeous block with accurate points!

Bring back to your mat and finish cleaning those edges up. Voila!

Once you have completed the block, if you have used the type of paper I do and a really short stitch, the paper should peel off very easily. Please don't use regular printer paper. It is tough to remove and you may find your stitches undone!
A few things I would like to add here. First off, you may think you are going to have loads of wasted fabric. Once you get the hang of it, you really truly don't. I would suggest using dedicated scraps or really ugly fabric that you have stashed away to practice with. A really easy block to start with is:
The Economy Block
It is very helpful to press with a hot iron. I keep my iron at sitting level so I can swivel around and press those puppies.
I am certain I could have taken a real step by step of each step. But there was no one to take pictures while I sewed the paper, and pressed the blocks. Just me. However, just get in your mind the visual image of me swivelling. That should make you smile enough to want to try your hand at paper piecing. It really is easy, addictive and makes your work look like you really know what you are doing.

A few good things about August

2011-08-05T07:32:00.000-04:00

Summertime Blues

2011-08-02T07:40:00.001-04:00

Ah summer! Time is flying soooo fast these days, I don’t even have to wait until August for the dog days – Wee Dawgies, it’s been hot, hot, hot. It’s also been muggy. When it gets like this sometimes my knee gets to hurting. My own personal barometer. Which reminds me ~

Mike Pasquel never liked me. He always told me he was gonna throw me in the river. I don’t know why he didn’t like me. Perhaps it was because I was a safety patrol crossing guard and looked real spiffy with my white belt. Perhaps it was because I made him wait until I stood in the middle of the road with arms and legs stretched out, shielding him and the rest of my peers.

Maybe he didn’t like me because sometimes I used my skates while wearing the patrol belt – a definite no-no – but I enjoyed showing off my skill of stopping on a dime. At the end of the 5th grade, when school was released for summer vacation, Mike actually did push me down the ravine into the river.

How I loved summer when I was a kid. We didn’t have air conditioning, heckfire shoot, not even a color tv. My NY Granny made sure we stayed outside all day long. We found shade trees to sit under and play board games in the hot afternoon sun. Early mornings and evenings were made for riding my bicycle or skating with my excellent pair of hand me down metal skates. They even had their own key! Huzzah!

The day that Mike Pasquel pushed me down that grassy slope, I was wearing my skates. I rolled, I tumbled and my right knee hit a stump, which in turn caused my skate to get hung up on it’s root. No one was around to hear my cry. I remembered every bad word I had ever heard in my life. Trust me, he was called every color of dirty dog there was. I even invented a few which I forgot totally about until I was married to my first husband.
Funny how the memory works.

A kid back then with these magic skates always had their skate key. Mine was tied on a shoelace and wore around my neck. My fat 11 year old fingers nimbly loosened the skate so I could free my foot. You should have seen my knee. It would take a whole bottle of mercurochrome to keep me from certain impetigo. I limped home, skates in hand, PF Flyers no longer clean. My soiled patrol belt would never be pristine again. My NY Granny saw me limping. She came with switch in hand, just knowing I had been up to no good. On closer inspection, Grandma knew I had come out on the losing end of this battle.

At times I would rather have taken a switching than to listen to my Grand parents. My Grandpop was from Denmark. He was like King Solomon, with his wisdom and Jewish wit. My Grandmother was neither Jew or witty. And she was never, bless her heart, politically correct. She knew that rotten Mike P. was in for it. Grabbing my arm, she dragged me to his house, confronted him, graphically questioned his father and mother’s heritage in no uncertain terms and in the end, I received a new pair of skates and a slimy handshake from my sworn enemy.
That summer I never once used those skates. I wonder what ever happened to them. Probably in my mother’s attic. She never throws away anything.

Enthusiasm

2011-07-28T19:07:00.000-04:00

Hi Folksies
Another month has passed by. Summer has been very enthusiastic in her charms this year. After everyone, including myself, complaining about the long, cold winter, Summer has decided to show off all her glory. I enjoy the beauty of Summer. I sing sweet songs to her all Autumn, Winter and Spring. When Summer enters, I continue to sing of her beauty - after all, I love to garden. I do keep reminding her year after year to just skip August and beckon nature to bring me a sweet Fall. Sakes alive, August arrived early this year. Those dog days of summer, sweltering heat that only okra and peppers thrive in. My poor tomatoes are not doing as well as earlier. My squash has pretty much played out, cukes are finally saying adios. I have canned right much, the rest thrown in the deep freeze until I get cooled down enough to get the kitchen like a furnace again.

Summer isn't the only thing that can be enthusiastic. Take me for example. What I lack in excellence, I make up for in enthusiasm. I start each and every project from cleaning the house (did I just say that?), raising children, caring for my parents, sewing, quilting, gardening, with great gusto! Sure I make plenty of mistakes along the way. Always have, always will. I have a dear friend that never gets much accomplished because she wants everything perfect. Uh oh. She is the first to tell me when she sees one of my creations, "Well, you could have done it this way, or I would've done that or, or, or . . ." But she never will because the fear of imperfection is like that little cloud that followed the kid in the Peanuts cartoons. I love to learn and that means making mistakes here and there.
My stitches aren't even, but heckfire shoot, I AM a Folk Artist. (I reaffirm this to myself regularly because it sounds official). Oopsy, getting off track again! Let me continue . . .

So, Summer ~ continue to sing your song. You have not been the perfect summer,
missed the mark a few days here and there, been stingy with the rain once again, but your joy in keeping the heat of the sun focused on us, has been full of
enthusiasm.

Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-04T08:25:00.000-04:00

God Bless America! Thank God for Independence and Freedom!

Who doesn't love a holiday? Time off from work for most folks and in the summer it is always a great excuse to get together with friends and family to celebrate. We generally always have a big cook out at our place. We get a couple of charcoal grills going - love the smell of lighter fluid and charcoal - I know, don't write me that it is a carcenogenic; I am not worried about that stuff. We grilled out yesterday and after Luscious gets home from work, we will grill out again today!

I love not having to do more in a hot kitchen than I have to! I have already been busy canning and freezing what needs to be done. Our garden has been fairly productive this year. Lots of squash, tomatoes, peppers, beans, cukes, okra, corn are among the most prominent veggies. We have been fastidious about saving our heirloom seeds each year and I declare, each year the veggie patch gets better.

This past weekend Luscious and I had our hands full with trying to pick more of those yummy blackberries. We picked 2 gallons all total with more on the vines!

Our guests will be picking their own blackberries with an invitation to come back in another week to start on the blueberries that are just now starting to get sweetly ripe. Oh the delish mixed berry yummies I can make!

When I am not getting sweaty in the garden, I am busy working on more projects for gifting. One of the current quilty projects is called Pineapple Blossom. I am putting four squares together then hand quilting them. When completed it will go to one of the kids as a Christmas pressie.

Lots of hand stitching; nothing fancy at all but loads of fun. I am using various colors of DMC number 8 thread in plain old irregular running stitch to go with the scrappy look. I am grooving on this one, folksies.

Enjoy your holiday, give thanks for our brave men and women over the years and currently keeping us free. God Bless America!

Scrappy quilt - a slow work in progress PLUS Blackberry Muffins!

2011-06-22T08:41:00.001-04:00

Hi folksies
As you know, I generally have several irons in the fire at once. My mind just works that way. Also, I am a slow quilter. Last November, two sisters who are friends of mine, brought me a few sacks of shirts from their Dear Daddy's closet to make them remembrance quilts with. I have finished one, which I shared a few months ago:

There were some shirts left, so I got busy with cutting and sewing strips and scraps. I have been doing both of these quilts with my own Blondie version of Quilt as You Go method, hand stitching the blocks using some DMC 8 thread for accent. This is what I've accomplished so far:

Really grooving on the scrappiness of joining these shirts together. It is almost done, will most likely work on it some today while watching the infamous Casey Anthony trial. I tell my sister that we are like the old ladies in a Tale of Two Cities, busily knitting while crying for the guillotine. Yep, that's us. Stitch a few, shake our heads and then cry for Guillotine. Betcha didn't know I was so bloodthirsty!

Oh! Almost forgot! The blackberries are coming in like gangbusters! I made some delish Blackberry Muffins by combining a few recipes. Can I say a modest YUM! This is a KEEPER?

Blackberry Muffin Recipe
Gather together:
*2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
* 1 Tbsp baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 2 large eggs
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1 teaspoon milk
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans!)
* 8 Tbsp warm melted butter (1 stick)
* ½ teaspoon vanilla
* 1 tsp lemon extract
* Blackberries, cut in half
* Brown sugar for topping
Now, let's get going:
Preheat oven to 400°F.Line your muffin tins with paper or grease it up
Beat together eggs, sour cream, milk, sugar, butter and vanilla, lemon extract
Combine the dry ingredients and nuts separately. I like to whisk my flour to lighten it a bit. Then join the liquid with the dry ingredients, CAVEAT : Don’t over do the mixing; you want the muffins to be light and melt in your mouth; not tough as Granny's old shoe.
Now you can add the blackberries any which way you want to, but this is how I do it: Since our blackberries are bigger than my thumb, not only do I cut them in half, I add them to the muffins while in the tray. By that I mean, I add some batter, place some berries in, add some more batter and top with a nice slice of blackberry with some brown sugar covering the top of the muffin mix.
Then bake for 15 minutes or so, depending on your oven and also on the size of your muffin tin..
These are soooooo good with coffee. It actually does have a coffee cake taste.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T09:46:00.000-04:00

How often do we take the ones we love for granted? I think of this often and always tell my Luscious Man that I thank the Lord for him each day - that I never want to take him for granted, never want to take advantage of him, and each day, I most sincerely mean that I tell him all of these plus, that he is my double portion of joy. The Word of God says that out of your former shame God will give you a double portion of joy. (Isaiah 61:7)

I am thankful that this beautiful man is not only my husband but has claimed my children as his own. The children, now grown, cannot imagine a better Daddy. And not only has he been a blessing to the children and I, he has been an excellent son to my parents. How my Daddy loved him! He would call him his right arm and would tell me quite often how happy he was we found each other.

Now this is also the first Father's Day without my own wonderful Daddy. It is a bitternsweet day, as most "firsts" in the year following a loss. Last year, Luscious and I carried Daddy and Mom to Mabry Mill for Father's Day and we had a wonderful picnic, lots of happy stories from Daddy, and I even got up and flat footed a minute to some great blue grass. This delighted my Daddy as his mother loved to flat foot and taught me how. It was his last really good day.

I don't like to linger on sadness. I have been fortunate to have two wonderful men in my life who are my heros. My Daddy, who taught me to respect myself so that I could respect others, how to hoe a good row, make poor man's gravy, and most of all, Daddy taught me how to laugh at myself. That is an important thing that most don't ever learn. I am thankful to be the daughter and wife of country boys.

God bless each and every Daddy out there. Thank you for loving your wife and children, loving your country enough to stand up for it.

January to June 2011

2011-06-18T20:56:00.000-04:00

Here are just a few of the blocks and other assorted thingies for swaps and personal that I have made this year. As you can tell I like color, textiles and most of all fun

The Burly Quilter with a Contest and Gardening

2011-06-15T08:32:00.002-04:00

Hi folks
Been awhile once again since I posted. In my own defense, you know that when the weather turns to summer I will be busy in the garden. We have already been pulling some squash for a refreshing break from frozen veggies. What tastes better than FRESH from the GARDEN? The tomatoes are beginning to set their fruit and I can just taste those 'mater sammies! YUM.

My holly hocks and other perennial flowers are showing off again. I am also watching the growth of some Jerusalem Artichokes. I am intrigued by the whole concept of Jerusalem Artichokes. I have a very dear cousin who gifted me with a huge bag of these tubers/roots. They can be dug up and eaten like potatoes or just left to grow and spread like a tall blanket of sunflowers. Oh boy, y'all know I love my sunflowers! Once they get going, I will post some pictures.

I spent a few days last week in the hospital. Seems as if I got severely dehydrated from a horrible stomach virus. I thought I was on the mend when I started seeing all these spots in front of my eyes and fell with a loud thud on the floor, giving myself a concussion.

My head is still a bit sore to touch but the headaches have finally gone bye bye. Poor Luscious. He ran to where I was in a heap and scared the dickens out of him. He said my eyes were open and there was no Blondie in them. For five minutes he tried to wake me up and when I did I was quite upset that he woke me up! When he told me he felt the house shake when I fell, I knew the honeymoon was over, lol. Luscious is a good babysitter, although he tends to hover too much for my taste. He can make a mean bowl of jello and gatorade ice pops.

I have recently discovered a blog by a yummy young fella ~ The Burly Quilter. He is running a contest right now

Go give him and looksie and you may even WIN. I sure hope I do. It might make up for having a new hospital bill.

Roosters can be a real Cogburn

2011-05-20T06:33:00.003-04:00

Memories. Some are good, some not so good. Most of us focus on the good ones. I know I do. As in the song now playing, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, some memories bring you back to that tender time in your life where memories are really all mixed up – The good ones, the bad ones, and how you choose to remember them.

I love stories like Babe or Charlotte’s Web. I can identify with those who champion the little pig, or any runt. When I was a little girl, we had a small farm. Nothing big, you understand. Just for our personal sustenance. Two particular instances stand out in my memory . . . besides growing our own veggies, we had a flock of chickens with the necessary nasty rooster and a pig that rivaled Wilbur.

I love chickens. If you have ever had chickens you can understand the story of Henny Penny and the sky is falling. They actually do run around at times as if the sky is literally is falling on them. Now as for that nasty rooster. Hmmm. What shall I say about him? Well, have you ever seen the movie True Grit with John Wayne? His name was Rooster Cogburn. I am assuming he was nicknamed that because he was not always in good humor, could be quite surly and meant business. While I loved the hens and biddies, I always disliked gathering eggs because that Cogburn of a Rooster would try to flog me. As I recall he was a bantie rooster of unknown origin. Wellsir, even at my tender age I knew his origin was really from somewhere south of Heaven. He was a devil to be certain. He would keep one eye on the ground, pretending to be foraging, the other on me, lulling me into a safe place in my mind, all the while timing his attack.

Most of you know that I am the middle child. The one that has always been put upon. The one who was always responsible. The one who was told, Go gather the eggs; it is a gal’s job. The one who always, and I mean always, got the flogging end of that nameless rooster. My dear Daddy always said, Gal, don’t let that rooster get the best of you. Grab his neck and sling him across the pen. I reckon he thought that getting that devil under control was like a rite of passage into what? Heckfire, shoot! I tried, I really did.

My solice during this particular period was taking care of Red, our pig. My Daddy always told me to never name livestock. But I couldn’t help but name that pig Red. He was a creamy color piglet and as he grew, he developed big red splotches like giant freckles, eventually becoming soft red.

I loved that piglet. I fed him, well actually back then we called it slopping, and I would rub his belly with a stick. When I would go out back, Red would come running. Once in the proximity of me, he would then roll over and wait for the belly scratching to commence. I would rub his soft ears and tell him all my woes with the rooster. Red, always the good listener would snort in agreement. I knew a gal in algebra who, when she laughed, sounded just like Red’s snort. Wonder where is she today and if she still snorts?

Oops, back to that rooster. One day, as I was first feeding the chicks so that I could gather their eggs, that rooster was doing his foraging as mentioned earlier. I was a much wiser little girl by then. I knew I needed to be fleet of foot and quick with the gathering.
When I was almost out of the gate, thinking I was safe, here came that rooster. He pummeled me on my legs like a bowling ball. I dropped the eggs and tried to cover my face and hair. Daddy happened to be out back and witnessed that episode. He calmly went in the house, gathered his shotgun and came outside. He let the air out of that rooster. That is one reason why my Daddy has always been my Hero. He picked the carcass up and disposed of it. Like I said, my hero. Daddy, always the stoic said,
“That rooster outlived his usefulness. I can get another not so mean.” However, after all these years and many other chickens, I have never found one that was anything but, well . . . rooster-ish!

Daddy was not the only one to observe my last shellacking of that fowl bird. So did Red.
My pig did more than snort. He screamed. Have you ever heard a pig scream? I was Red’s friend and number one belly scratcher. He really didn’t care what I smelled like after wallowing in all that chicken mess. He loved me even more I liked to think.

We had Red for almost two years. He grew so large that he almost outgrew his own pen.
When you lived on a farm, you realize that livestock is often sold or traded. I came home from school and my Granny told me that Red was gone, so I didn’t need to slop him.
I cried for my friend. A few nights later, we had pork chops for dinner. Daddy and I couldn’t eat once we discovered that our meal was Red. Mom was the only one who enjoyed her dinner that night. I realized that was why you should never name your livestock.

I really don’t know how I got started on this essay, or really how to end it. But like I said, some memories are good, some are bad and some just meld together, like those halcyon summer days, gathering eggs, fighting that ornery rooster and making friends with a pig. I recently saw an ad on Craig’s List for a small pot bellied pig. Free to a good home. Likes his belly rubbed. Aw, Red. I can’t convince Luscious that I need a pig. Maybe one day.

I can't keep a secret . . .

2011-05-04T07:15:00.000-04:00

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh! I don't often share my deepest, darkest secrets. But I have to whisper this one to you. Come closer . . . . a little bit closer . . . .

I am a slow quilter. A plodding piecer of blocks. A slow sorter of scraps. I am however an excellent ripper of seams. My seam ripper has a name. It is Jack. I can sew the most wonderful one quarter inch seam, only to have it not line up correctly, so Jack to the rescue.

It goes without saying then, that I am not a speed demon. I blame myself, really. First of all, I wanted to blame the internet because when I see all the prolific quilters online with their completed projects day after day, totes, mug rugs, quilts of all sizes and types, I wonder how they do it? Do they set aside an hour or two, a day or a month? I use a minute timer and keep myself on task by giving myself a set amount of time to help me accomplish the dailies of my day. When do they clean or cook? How do they manage the laundry and kid's soccer games? I hang my head down and ask myself, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? Then I go to my sewing area and strive to keep myself motivated to not feel a bit blue. Blue? I think I have a whole bin of assorted blues . . .

I also have adult A.D.D. Of course I do. I walk into my sewing studio, armed with block patterns in hand and begin to pull out the fabrics that I want to use. Why is it that I have all this fabric but when it comes to putting a few together I hate all the fabric I have. And then while I am picking through, I get nostalgic about some silly 5 inch charm that I can't find the perfect mate for. I can spend hours doing this. Then I dig through the mountain of fabrics I have pulled out to find the patterns I came downstairs with originally. It should also be shared that after all this time I am exhausted, and forgotten just what I was intending to do to begin with. There is really no hope.

I find it difficult to stay on task. I work better with a task ahead of me. But I do get sidetracked. Sigh. I make a master list each month of which block goes to whom in the various swaps I am in. And the process starts all over again.

I am living proof that not all Blondes are pin heads. I raised three children into well fed neurotic, although not quite thumb sucking, adults. I worked three jobs for more years than I can remember to keep them well fed, a roof over their heads and gently used second hand clothes to wear. Except I always purchased new underwear for them. See, there I go again. Dang! See how my mind works? It wanders down a path, chasing each thought until it reaches a wall and says Whoa! You really didn't need to know about their new underwear. Is that why I am so affectionately known as Blondie?

There is really no hope. I have given up since I know my brain while not exactly mushy, gets overwhelmed by so much sensory overload. Well, folksies, it is time to once again go down to my sewing studio and start picking up the fabric pieces again. I have two patterns to contemplate. I think I remember that bin of blues, but, then I think this pattern requires a gutsy, vibrant translation. It's a good thing I have learned to master the minute timer.

God Bless America

2011-05-02T06:27:00.000-04:00

I've been really really busy with life . . .

2011-04-27T21:58:00.000-04:00

Busy with Gracie, our newest addition . . .

taking walks with Gracie along our city nature trail - loverly this time of year . . .

we had visitors from out of town come by for a visit . . .

Been busy listening to the Foxglove tell me about

their Silver Artemesia neighbors

who are certainly happy that the Irises keep themselves tidy

while the phlox seem to have multiplying down to a beautiful art . . .

And speaking of multiplying . . . shhhh, don't tell this one, I've busy snapping yellow haired heads off it's kin

~Be Back Soon ~

You Gotta Enjoy Mid Life

2011-03-12T20:44:00.000-05:00

Please pause my play list in the right side bar so you can enjoy this wonderful short video.

2011-03-07T07:27:00.000-05:00

Hello Folksies
Yesterday was a cold and rainy day. And a dark and stormy night. What better time than to try to get caught up on some various blocks. I sat at the machine with sweet little Dinah stretched out in front of the machine, occasionally batting at the fabric and jumble of threads. I ate doughnuts and drank coffee all day long. Ahh, this is the life for me.
I have a busy week ahead of me so now is the time to post what I have gotten accomplished.
I got this cutie froggie done for the Friday Block Party.

These are going into the Block Lotto. I have made a few more, just no pics of those yet. Loving this block and especially grooving on the reds and white.

I began working on my Teeny Weeny Paper Piece Bee blocks.

And now to leave you with the lovliest of all thoughts for the day. Spring is almost here. The "yellow bells" (forsythia) are beginning to show their promise of sunshine and spring. Thank you Lord!

One down, one to go

2011-03-03T14:37:00.000-05:00

Hello Folksies
Been mostly under the weather this past week, during which time I became well acquainted with every dust bunny in my house. Wonder why when I don't feel well enough to stand up I have the insatiable urge to clean but when I am feeling fine and dandy that cleaning is the last thing on my mind. I declare as I was lying in my sickly stupor all I could think of was if I died the people who came to get my body would know what a slob I really am. Thank goodness I am feeling better. I will clean later on.
Actually, I took a little bit of time to finish up a small project requiring some hand work. Two dear friends of mine asked me to make a few small quilts out of shirts which belonged to their Dad. Added to that was some very old and vintage fabric of their Mom's. After much cleaning, pressing, cutting and sewing, I found that I learned a whole lot during the first top. I finished the binding on it today, washed it, dried it and here it is:

It is not really big, but not so small either. Just big enough to cuddle under.
I quilted by hand lots of flowers, butterflies, hearts, and curliques. The blocks aren't perfect, but then again, neither am I. I know that the sisters will cherish having their Daddy's arms around them.

I love how a freshly laundered quilt just crinkles up and feels instantly softly aged. Now on to complete the second one.

Pins and Needles - an easy needle case to make

2011-02-23T15:11:00.001-05:00

I have a thing for pincushions, needle cases, scissor fobs, any gadget-y type of thingamajig. I am always making something new to hold those objects. I have pincushions in every room, sometimes more than one to a room and needlecases in every tote or bag.
The other day I was looking through some of my scraps of strings and thought, this is a good size for a needle case. Okay, I really didn’t need another one, but, my sister did! Sisters are handy dandy folk to have around, especially when they enjoy stitching as much as I do. It isn’t her birthday or Christmas and it’s past Valentine’s Day, however I really don’t need an excuse or reason to make something special for my baby sister, Cat.

Here is a quick tutorial on how I made it.

First, find some scrap strings about let’s say approx. 9” in length and 4” in diameter. You will also need the same dimensions of batting or felt for the innards and for the lining. Also a bit of red cut in the shape of a heart.

Center the heart on the string foundation.

You will want to embroider this- by hand or machine, whichever you are comfy with.

Once you have it sewn securely, you will want to turn it over and remove some of the stitches that are within the circumference of the heart. You will then carefully stuff this with polyester fiberfill.

After stuffing, slip stitch the opening closed and begin sewing your sandwich together.

You can use a decorative stitch or straight stitch. You really just want to make sure it is bound together. Take care at where the heart was stuffed, ending your stitching just before you reach there and picking up again right after the stuffed heart.

You are now ready for the binding

For a super easy instructional on binding I don’t think you could find a better tut than from the Missouri Star Quilt Company (ps) if you are really wanting to learn some quick and easy quilt projects, take a peek at their many fun videos. Quack!

Once you have the binding on, you’re almost done!

Okay, so I got a little ahead of myself and forgot to take some extra pictures. I think you can figure out how I got to here.

Cut out another heart shape and place it on the lining right behind the front stuffed heart. This will be a nice place to hold your sewing needle.

In the center, I attached a lobster claw clasp to clip my nippers to.

On the opposite end of the inside heart, I attached a few plastic circles generally used for café curtains. Through these you can pull some floss and voila! You have a neat and tidy little needle case to carry with you anywhere!

Ta Da!

Why I like to be in Block Swaps

2011-02-20T20:43:00.000-05:00

I am in a few block swaps for quilting. They are like potato chips and popcorn. Can't do just one. They are compelling, intriguing, obsessive and a wonderful way to build your UFO stash and also meet some new personalities.

The other day I received these loverly blocks from cyber sis Mary. She is quite a talented lady and is even more prolific! I am honored to have been her swap partner this past month!

I began participating in the Block Lotto last month and while I haven't hit their lottery as a winner of blocks, I have more than enjoyed making the blocks for others to enjoy.
Here are January's Bright Stacks that were sent off to a winner:

And here are February's String Hearts waiting to be sent off:

This month is also the first month of a new blog block swap at Barn Door Swap I made two blocks to send off to Merry Olde England to my partner.

I am a member of MSQC and will soon be getting some wonderful Dresdens in the mail. I made 26 assorted to share:

Each one of these swaps and many others out there in blogland love to have new members. You don't have to be professional or even be very experienced. It is all about the sharing, growing, learning. You should be punctual and also be able to communicate with your swap partner(s). If you have been thinking of trying to learn to quilt or at least make a few blocks to see if you like it, look around the blogging neighborhood to find your fit.

Blackberry Winter

2011-02-18T16:11:00.000-05:00

Here it is the middle of February and we are officially in the midst of spring fever!
The past few days have been gloriously warm, the temps inching each day upwards until today I am not sure what the legal actual temperature is but it is deliciously teasing. It also puts me in mind of what my granny would call Blackberry Winter.

What is Blackberry Winter you ask? That is a time in the spring generally speaking, when fruits and other perennials get fooled into blooming too early. And then, whammie! A sudden late frost will kill their blooms and consequently their harvest.

While there are officially no blackberries blooming right now, there are some things starting to bud out a tad bit too early for my liking. Our worst weather generally comes in March and even late April has seen us with some severe frost/snow. So when I see my tender babies anxious to make an appearance, I want to shelter them from the cold cruel world a while longer. Note: I do think of my plants as my little children, a sad sign that I am getting old, not quite senile, just sentimental . . . don't jeer or jest at me. I am quite sentimental over my precious pretties.

One of my many azaleas getting a wee too enthusiastic

pussy willow starting to set her paws ~ please wait!

and oh how I love my tulip tree - a sweet magnolia that touches my heart with her beauty

I have given them a severe talking to. I have warned them that just because I am in short sleeves today does not give them license to do the same. I am older by far and know when to put a sweater on. Common sense says don't start showing yourself until the grosbeaks are back in numbers or even the robins hop on the ground by your feet.

I don't know how long this weather will tease us, lulling us all into the complacency of doing foolish things, like spring cleaning or even, GASP! raking heaps of leaves away from tender perennials, but I for one will continue to warn others of Blackberry Winter.

Okay, so the groundhog didn't see his shadow

2011-02-11T06:15:00.001-05:00

Last week, that wily Phil of Puxatawny fame cuddled and cooed into some man wearing a top hat's ear that he didn't see his shadow. He wasn't the only one. I don't think anyone in the continental USA was able to see their shadow. The snow blinded their vision I am certain. Let's don't give up hope. Spring is on the way. Spring is on the way. Spring is on the way.
To help my mind during the record breaking temps, I trudged outside and cut some flowering quince. I love my quince bushes. I have three of them and over the years they have rewarded me with lovely rosey color a few times a year. This year I am hoping to coax them into an early bloom. I also noticed that my intrepid pussy willow seems to be setting her little kitty paws. Just couldn't reach any branches or brachs to cut. The quince is starting to sprout green buds! Yes. I can almost feel the spring breathing life back into me! Here is what the quince looks like in full bloom. After it blooms, it leaves nice little fruit that makes quite a tasty jelly.

The Superbowl has been played and my husband is one happy man. His team of course, is the Green Bay Packers. I am so glad that they won as I can actually sleep better at night next to a smiling man.

Yesterday I received two copies in the mail of Create and Decorate magazine. The Spring 2011 issue. For those who have held my hand, my doll is on page 52. Not the best picture in the world of her, so here is another view.

The little frog in her lap is from a pattern by a dear dear friend, Kim of Prims by Kim. She has some neat patterns. I decided to embroider the eyes of this adorable froggette and give her a little hat to go with her big gourd head friend.

I have been also busy with some quilting block swaps, trying to get the tension adjusted on my machine. Both of my machines are in desparate need of good professional attention. I am a professional but they don't need a haircut. I don't know what they need but it ain't what I have to offer.

Have a good one!

Waiting on the Groundhog

2011-01-30T09:19:00.000-05:00

Well, folksies it has been a long cold winter for most everyone in the USA this year. Still 6 more weeks anyway you slice it. I think our Puxatawny Phil has a great job. I would like to hibernate all winter. Oh wait, I DO! That is why I am always so soft and fluffy come spring!
I have been doing some walking; about 3.5 miles a day on a wonderful trail in our town. It is quite a nice walk to take with my Sissy. We always find something to giggle about while walking.

Here is an update on the block I have been working on:
This was the first block I shared with you, remember?

4 blocks became this:

And then I made several more to make a table runner like this:

I've also been working on other blocks, I should really try harder to get pictures taken.

Big blessings to all - Spring is on the way!

2011-01-19T13:08:00.000-05:00

I decided to take advantage of a quiet day here on The Hill and play with the fabric assortment I received from Cora for the Brown Bag swap. I think I like this block. How 'bout you?

The FUN starts NOW

2011-01-17T14:28:00.000-05:00

So, a few months back I signed up for a swap at:

(I have the link in my right column since I can't get blogger to work right this afternoon . . .)

I finally received my partner shortly after the first of this month. Cora and I have swapped our fabric and here is what she sent to me:

I am really grooving on this selection and it is crying out for some scrappy design - my personal favorite since my whole basement sewing studio is full of scrappiness. I have also been told by dear hubs that I am a fiesty and scrappy gal. Well said.

I will be working on these delicious fabrics soon and will be sharing with you what I have decided upon. Stay tuned . . .

I promise you that I live in the South . . .

2011-01-16T17:13:00.000-05:00

It has certainly not felt like much of the south in the past month. Even Georgia is cold! We've had several more snows since the previous post on the first snow of the season. It snowed again on Dec 15, Dec 25, Jan 2 and I believe more is in the forecast for the end of this week.

Here in my little part of the world we are not accustomed to so very much this early in the winter! Gee Whiz, our worst months are generally February and March! I am tired of the white stuff already! Around here, if the snow sticks around a few days, all the old folks say it's hanging around waiting for some more to keep it company! Say it ain't so, please!

Now, most of the snow came during the Christmas break and most of y'all know that my hubs works for the school system. They have only been at school for 5 days this month. And tomorrow is MLK day - yet another reason to keep him home. I love this man to pieces, you know that I do! However, he is cramping my style. Whenever I am cleaning, he decides to tell me another spot that needs attention. At the risk of hurting his feelings, I asked this afternoon that since his vision was still so good, I was in hopes that his arms and legs still worked well enough to bend over and clean. Oh, wicked woman that I am.

I am certain that there are other woman who share my plight. Is it just me or do other gals have a difficult time getting 'er done when the menfolk are around?? Good grief, just sit in front of the tv and watch football. I don't mind. Just don't add to my list of what needs to be done.
The end.

First Snowfall of this Season

2010-12-05T09:18:00.001-05:00

Yesterday early afternoon while I was still at work, the snow started falling. When I left to come home there was already close to 3 inches. Northern visitors, that is a LOT for this area, this early in the season. This morning the sun is out, the wind is blowing and I reckon it will fade the snow. Confidentially speaking, I am hoping it is gone by Monday morning. We do not need a snow day yet. Good grief. If hubs is home, I NEVER get much done. Why is that?

Still not ready for Christmas. I tell you, I have had the hardest time keeping up with TIME this year. I haven't been able to capture it, hold on to it ~ and wait, hold the presses, here is a flash for you ~ I haven't been able to make it stand still! So, while the roads are still slick, and I can't really get out anywhere, I will just go downstairs, play with Dinah Kitty and sew. Those gifties don't sew themselves.

Be blessed this day.

Let the Joyous Season begin

2010-11-24T19:51:00.000-05:00

Folks either love or hate this time of year. That doesn't necessarily make you a Bob Cratchett or Ebenezer Scrooge. While I am a bit of a Pollyanna, playing the glad game each and every day, I do not have my head in the sand. I choose to look for the silver lining in gathering dark clouds. I like to smile and vehemently resist saying Bah! Humburg!

Fall is my favorite time of year, climate wise. Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite holidays. I declare over half of my caloric intake for the year is eaten during this season. How I miss both of granny's and their cooking. I have a few of their recipes - nothing tastes as good or the same as when I was a kid.

I am married to a man that loves Christmas. He is the Clark Griswold of our family. We keep a grateful heart open on Thanksgiving for the blessings of the Lord. However, Luscious Larry loves Christmas. It wouldn't matter if there were empty boxes wrapped under the tree. He thoroughly enjoys the lights, music, look and feel of Christmas. I can pretty much guarantee our tree will be up by tomorrow night. The Christmas CDs and DVD's will be out, front and center. He has every remake of A Christmas Carol that is available. Notice I say available. He is currently awaiting the release of the Jim Carey one from last year.

Each night we will sip our hot chocolate or egg nog and watch the same old movies including It's A Wonderful Life and Home Alone (one of my personal favs.)

But for now, I need to finish the dinner preparations for Turkey Day. I won't forget to say a proper thanks for each of my online sisters and brothers who add so much to my life daily, weekly, yearly. I hope each of you gets your fill of all the yumminess of the goodies.

This and that and Christmas, too

2010-11-18T12:39:00.000-05:00

I, for one, cannot believe it is the middle of November. That Thanksgiving is next week, fully aware that Christmas is coming on strong.

How did this happen? Everyone has the same amount of seconds, minutes, hours, days in the year. I used to be pretty good at juggling and multi tasking. I never paid attention to the time thing. But these days, it just zips by and I am standing here, mouth open, shaking my head saying What???

So I am not even close to being prepared this year. I normally shop and sew all year for the Holidays. Not this year. I haven't even figured out what's being served at Thanksgiving down at the folks. Oh yeah, Big Bird. That's a given. What else? I don't enjoy the cooking like I used to. I think I need to surf for inspiration or even dig out some of my old notebooks of recipes and ideas. That should help spur me on.

But what can be done about the time passing so quickly? Why can't I jar it like I use to the little fireflies?

2010-11-17T11:41:00.001-05:00

So, ButterflyChic, my only baby girl, is having a Followers Giveaway! You really need to hop or click on the picture above to bring you to her page. She gives all the caveats there. Oh, and the giveaway consists of a nice gift for you, or would make a nice stocking stuffer for someone needing a last minute gift!

This is an adorable set of four flip flop coasters! So hurry - this giveaway will end on December 1 !!

Hmmm, wonder why I feel like saying aflack?

Click now! http://sayrahterry.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday, Paul

2010-11-15T04:55:00.002-05:00

You don't have to read this post. I am certain that it will embarrass my son if he were to read this. Thankfully (for me), if there is one thing I am certain of, Paul will not be reading this. So I reckon I can write all sorts of embarrassing things relating to his childhood. I don't think I will though. Let me say that I am proud to be the Mom of this bright man.

He entered this world in a big hurry - three months preemie - basically sent home when he weighed just a smidgen over 4 pounds. He walked at 10 months and spoke intelligently at 18 months. He still has the curiosity of a kitten. When he was in high school, I actually had a teacher send me a letter Thanking Me for giving birth to Paul. He was the one student she had waited a career for. He was always a hard act for his younger siblings to follow.

Gosh Moms, do you remember the absolute awesome love you felt with your first born? There was never a love so grand. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I would actually vacuum while holding him in my arms! Talk about smitten!

The song playing now, You are my sunshine was his first favorite song. I used to sing it to him when I would rock him - along with loads of other songs. It would calm him down if he was fussy. When he was about 10 years old, he came down with a horrible flu. I was putting cold cloths on his feverish forehead. I started to sing You are my sunshine to him. He put his hand over my mouth and said, "Never sing that song again. It is too happy sad for my heart. " Was it the bittersweet words, his fever or gasp! my voice that compelled him to make me stop? I am still pondering that one. I guess for me that now whenever I hear it, I weep a bit. Perhaps it is too happy sad my for heart as well?

He was the right child to be the first born. He was just knowledgeable enough to be bossy enough. His brother and sister still adore him, and quite frankly feel that they will never be his equal. Now don't go asking me where that comes from! I sure don't feel that way about my older brother!!

He is a married man now with a lovely wife of his own. He is no longer my boy. I remember all my life hearing the adage, "a son is yours until he takes a wife, a daughter is yours all of your life." Paul was not mine from the time he left home for college. I never have quite gotten over the fact that he grew up and left me. I knew from the time he was born that he would never be mine for long enough.

So to complete this terribly personal piece, I want to say that I have thanked God each day for presenting me with what I consider the first of many, Many blessings in my life. Happy Birthday, Paul.
I only have one question - how come we don't celebrate Moms on the kids birthday? We're the ones who carried that weight, were exultant in that final push into this world and spent years helping you to become who you are. Oh well. I am a middle child. We middle children generally think this way.

Thank You Veterans. God Bless the USA

2010-11-11T06:56:00.001-05:00

100 Quilt Blocks!

2010-11-08T14:35:00.000-05:00

Quiltmaker.com - Go visit today!

It all starts today; betcha can't visit just one!

Election Day

2010-11-02T08:06:00.000-04:00

~ To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain. ~ Louis L’Amour

I got up at my usual time this morning at dark thirty. I was not as lethargic as I normally am before my first cup of coffee. I got up full of ambition and one goal in mind. Today I get to vote. Now I have already forgotten how many elections I have voted in. Some are milestones for me. I have grown over the years, and remember some votes that I cast that I long regretted in many years past.

Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason. ~Author Unknown

I stood in line at 6:30 a.m., waiting for the polls to open. Surrounded by a few dozen other folks, staunchly standing in the cold breezy morning air, there was a feeling of anticipation. Normally, I vote later in the day, but not this day.

People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote - a very different thing. ~Walter H. Judd

I stood there praying for all the candidates, for America, our leaders, but mostly for the citizens of this great country. I prayed for those younger generation who have not voted for the first time, and wonder if they will ever know the freedoms we have already lost.

Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. ~Richard Armour

I am registered as an Independent. I like to think that I stand neither right or left. I like to think that I have common sense. I do my due diligence and study up on the issues at hand, research the incumbents to see their voting record, and learn as much as I can about the up and comers.

~ Millions of votes are thrown out in election after election in this country. Now that's a story. ~

One great concern of mine this mid term election should be of concern to all Americans.

If illegal aliens are allowed to vote in this country, does that not diminish the voices of those who are not only born citizens but those who became American Citizens through the very machinery that was put in place to protect all of us? And what of our military who are stationed overseas? http://tinyurl.com/26mdevd Their votes are cast out while illegals get a voice? Wake up, people!

I hope that each person reading this in America has a stirring to vote their convictions and conscious. Pray for this country. Pray for it’s citizens. Remember those who have given their lives to keep your freedom and the right to vote alive.

George Washington is the only president who didn't blame the previous administration for his troubles. ~Author Unknown

Oh My, It's November!

2010-11-01T06:55:00.001-04:00

I cannot believe it is November already! Why does that strike a fear of being late deep inside of me?
Perhaps it is because Christmas is right around the corner?! I have been busy, I promise that I have. However, it seems as if there is never enough time to feel totally prepared for "the day".

I recently completed a very special lap quilt for my dear Daddy. I was thinking of saving it for a Christmas giftie. Unfortunately, he got a glimpse of it beforehand and nagged me and nagged me until I finished it and gave it to him.

Here he is with it. He is quite pleased to have something keep his toe-sies warm. It turned out larger than a traditional lap quilt but smaller than a twin size. Now, what do I make him for Christmas?

You see, it is a tradition for me to make most of the family gifts. I purchase what nots and small gifts through out the year to add to their haul. I need to get that sewing machine humming again. Hmmmmmm, goes my brain. Stay tuned.

A revealing game for me

2010-10-30T19:21:00.000-04:00

Hello folksies! Well, my dear daughter Sarah, has sent me this game to play. Don't worry; I won't pass it on to you. But to keep the little wolf from my door, I shall play along. She sent me nine questions to answer, so here goes:

1. What is your favorite recipe?

* I like food; I don't necessarily enjoy cooking as much as I used to but I reckon I enjoy making spaghetti sauce up the best. A little wine makes it a miracle food.

2. What are your hobbies?

* I enjoy sewing, quilting, doll making, painting, crocheting, embroidery, gardening

3. What is your favorite movie to watch when you are sick? * Oh so many movies to choose from. But since I was sick last week and watched a lot of old Turner Classic movies. I would say that the Maltese Falcon would be a good one to watch.

4 If you could be any animal, what would you be?

* Now does this imply as a pet or animal in general? I would say a bird. Then I could sing and fly away wherever I wanted to. I've always heard that Paris is lovely in the spring . . .

5 What is your favorite book? *

Two books:

* To Kill A Mockingbird and Rebecca *

6 What would you do if you won the lottery?

* Hmmmmm. I would take care of my family, but not to the point where they would get lazy. I, of course, would retire, buy all the fabric I wanted - heckfire shoot! A fabric store, perhaps. I would get fancy sewing machines and maybe even a longarm quilter.

7You are in your car, where are you driving to?

* Attempting to sing

8 What do you love about Fall?

The cool air and the colors.

9 Finish the sentence: I'd like to _____. *

I'd like to be able to go back in time and enjoy my kids all over again.

Home Ec

2010-10-19T09:14:00.001-04:00

I failed Home Ec. - sewing project in particular. Sad fact but true. Mrs. Hack was not pleased with me in 7th grade. I declare she had it in for me! You see, I didn't follow her instructions on how to put in a zipper. I had already been sewing for two years, making my own skirts and dresses with zippers and the popular pin tucks back then. Back then, girls wore skirts and dresses to school. No pants allowed. I had already been taught by my mother in the art of zippering. I tried Mrs. Hack's way but it just didn't look as good to me as the way my mother taught me. So, when I finished my red plaid jumper, it was a big fat F. I was almost afraid to let my folks know. However, my mother, always the staunch seeker of what's important and what's piddling stuff, long before there were soccer moms, told me the teacher needed a broader view of sewing. In essence, she was stoopie! Now for my mom to call someone STOOPIE was akin to cursing. I mean I used to get soap in my mouth back then for saying "darn it".

Not many schools offer Home Ec. any longer. I know I am dating myself here but gosh, it was required to get out of seventh grade. While I got a failing grade on the zipper insertion, I did learn a lot from my teacher. I learned how to cook fresh asparagus, use a timer - a handy dandy tool I often use when I am sitting in front of the computer - I learned or rather re learned the daily tasks of house keeping. We were taught how to make a menu, iron, and set a table. My mom is a great homemaker and had already schooled me in a lot of housework chores. But I still learned recipes that I still use today.

I don't know when Home Ec fell into oblivion. Recently, I understand the high schools are teaching young girls how to care for a newborn. They are assigned a doll that cries every so often for feeding, changing ~ really? But what about how to cook for your family? With the headlines screaming about obesity in the population, it would make sense to me to teach nutrition and how to achieve a balanced meal?

Any longer it is not thrifty to make clothes from scratch like when I was a teen. Good fabric is expensive! We can get cheap clothes from overseas. Of course they won't last a season most of the time and please buy a size or two larger because once laundered, they will shrink into XXS.

I am sad for the generations that do not learn the discipline of planning out a menu and then shopping for it. In these days of wash and wear, how many know how to iron? Or what it is. lol? It was always my least favorite chore, ironing my dad's work clothes, heckfire shoot! Back then we even ironed pillow slips and sheets!
On occasion I think of Mrs. Hack when I am sewing on dolls, quilts, table runners, pillows, quillows, curtains and when I am completed I often think, Not bad for a Home Ec failure.

Carolina In My Mind

2010-10-18T07:11:00.000-04:00

I love Fall. It is my favorite time of year. And for many years, during the fall of the year I would get so homesick that whenever I would hear the song Carolina In My Mind I would weep.

I have lived all over this wonderful country from the east coast to the west coast, from the north and to the south. And in some of those states, most noteably, Florida and California, where I lived for a good number of years, there was not a real noticeable change of seasons. Of course, these states offer their own captivating beauty but they weren't my home.

I missed the smell of wood burning stoves early in the morning ~ smoke that permeated the fragrant heralding of cool nights. I missed the beauty of first frost and how good a cup of hot cocoa tastes in front of a bonfire. I missed how the stars looked from my Carolina backyard. But most of all I missed my family. I missed my Granny telling me to count the foggy mornings in August to find out how many snow days we would have that winter. Or how to tell by the wooly worms if winter would be short or long depending on the width of the rings on their body. I missed having a real reason to snuggle under a soft quilt and I missed picking my own apples to carve a doll face from.

One time, while living in Orlando, I was particularly homesick. The kids were wee little ones. Our house had a fireplace. (Who in Orlando uses them, much less needs them? I reckon it's for the ambience?) I had the kids go gather all the leaves and twigs that they could find. We placed them in paper bags, opened the flu, cranked the AC to maximum and created our own autumn festival. My neighbors knew I was the odd one on the street. You know, the Mom who would throw un-birthday parties, take the neighborhood kids in the backyard on a search for shelf fungi, you know, the odd one. And one time, when I lived in Southern California, while pregnant with my middle child and so very homesick for anyone with a southern accent, that my ex drove me up to Big Bear area. Now that is a mountain range! I did get to see beautiful fall foliage and gathered the LARGEST pinecones ever.

The first year I moved the kids back home, 17 years ago, will always be fresh in my mind. The children had never seen leaves changing their color. I introduced them to the sheer joy of raking up mountains of leaves and jumping in them. We foraged for acorns and pinecones to make a wreath. And we carved a pumpkin for the first time. In my memory it was the finest carved pumpkin, let me tell you Martha Stewart had nothing over the masterpiece my crew came up with!

My kids are grown now, each living in their own place. They still love fall. They may not enjoy raking leaves as much these days, and perhaps they view acorns littering the walkways as ankle breakers, but they still enjoy the nostalgic memory of homecoming when a wisp of wood smoke is in the air.

I am married to an Eeyore.

2010-10-12T09:55:00.000-04:00

Not that it’s a bad thing. Eeyore’s are faithful friends, always glad to commiserate with you on any thing. Especially if it’s something gloomy like the rain, a pain in your tushie, rotted veggies in your garden, squirrels in your bird feeder,

and lack of just about anything.

It will soon be my anniversary and so I have been thinking of what to give my Luscious man. When we were courting, I told him, I said ~ “I don’t need a man, I need a donkey!”

To which he replied, “Where in the back forty do you want me? I’ll click my heels up for you”. Words of such endearment won my heart. Over the years I have become very accustomed to his ways. He is such a big teddy bear but I am more of a Pooh and he is more the Eeyore. For example, these Eeyore quotes could’ve come out of Luscious Larry’s mouth:

"A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference. Or so they say."

"When you shout 'Is anybody at home?' into a rabbit hole, and a voice answers 'No!' it probably means you're not welcome."

"When someone says 'How-do-you-do," just say that you didn't."

The kids will tell you that he will always come through for them in true Eeyore fashion.

Always on time – which is his time – and will always say Luv when he says good bye.

When he leaves for work in the morning, I kiss him goodbye and have to bite back the sage words of Eeyore “Have a nice day, it’ll probably rain”. He already knows that.

Jack, Jill, that Hill and why water is necessary

2010-10-08T22:30:00.000-04:00

When I was a little girl I spent many a wonderful summer day with my cousin Butch.

My brother and I, along with my cousin Butch would play Cowboys and Indians, climb trees, and spend our mornings damming
up Uncle Andy's creek so we could swim and catch crawfish. Uncle Andy was our Granny's uncle. He had been married four times, each time to a lady who had the name Mary.

That is another story in itself since Andy lived to be 99.

Our granny lived up the dirt road from Uncle Andy. She and Poppa Coy had a log cabin, lots of fruit trees, chickens, some hogs (I loved the little piglets) and of course, a big garden patch. There was no electricity in the cabin, no running water nor was there indoor plumbing. She had a big two seater johnny out back. Perhaps that was where I learned my fear of spiders.

But that is another story.

We always were mindful of the bull at Uncle Andy's. He always stood under a tree on the big hill way far up on the property. To get to the creek, we had to pass through the pasture, watching our step for cow patties with one eye and the other eye always on the bull. One summer day, after a particularly satisfying time sliding from the big mossy rock in the middle of the creek into the cool water, we began our journey back home. Coming out of the thicket, into the pasture we surveyed our position and that of the bull. Certain that he was oblivious to us, we started trudging along, our soggy, slick clothes sticking to us - I remember how good that cold
felt on such a hot day. The boys were always ahead of me, always trying to lose me, a tagalong interloper that was a stinking GIRL.

The bull noticed us this time. Probably because the boys were jumping up and down, hooting and hollering all at the top of their lungs. Perhaps he was merely curious about us - in retrospect, I choose to think that.

However, when the boys saw him coming down the hill at a fairly good clip, they screamed RUN! Looking for the bull under the tree, it registered in my brain that he was heading our way. I began running down the hill as fast as my fat little legs could carry me. I declare I could feel his breath snorting down my neck! I slipped in a particularly fresh pile and lost my footing. I rolled down the rest of the hill, much like Jack and Jill. After I scrambled back to my feet, I saw the boys with Uncle Andy leaning against the gate post. They were laughing. Winded, wet from the creek, stained from head to toe with grass and fresh manure, I surely must have been a sight. I didn't stop running until I was under the fence and standing behind Uncle Andy.
The bull was standing back under the tree. It appears that he lost interest in us fairly quickly and trudged back up the hill to his shady spot to watch this blonde headed gal in pig tails roll through the muck all the way down that hill.

That story is still legend on the Hill. I have put enough years behind me to find it mildly amusing these days. Butch still finds it rather hilarious. He took relish in sharing that particular story of my youth with Larry this past weekend. We had need of Butch - he has a backhoe and we had a fierce break in our water line. All weekend he and Larry dug a new trench and laid the line, finally connecting the new pipe and restoring my sanity. Butch regaled my big man with every story that I had almost forgotten from those lazy summer days. How nice it would be to return to those halcyon days, hiding away from the world in the dreaming tree, watching the rain walk up the road, sitting out back snapping beans with my granny once more, and never wondering how I am going to pay a $1200.00 water bill.

my cousin Butch
(this is an OLD post from 2007. I am posting it because I have just finished paying off the $1200 water bill that wound up costing me $1500 with interest accrued. Greedy rascals)

My fingers are happiest

2010-10-07T06:25:00.000-04:00

when I am able to sit a while and sew, sculpt , create. I have been busy making gifts - thinking Christmas, don't you know! I am slowly but surely filling up my gift closet with little sweet things that I am hopeful will delight friends and family.

first up is a lovely summer runner using a paper pieced pattern called a spider web

Here is a duo of pincushions. The one on the right is made from all scraps, foundation pieced and used on the top layer of the pinnie

ornies are always welcome. Scandinavian woven hearts always adorn our tree with candies. Little mittens cut from felted sweater

here is only one of the many skillet holders and pot holders I have been making. They have been lined with heat resistant thermal lining.

Busy day at work ahead. Hoping that each and every one is enjoying the crisp fall mornings. I thrive on it, just as I thrive on the chaos which surrounds my life.

Why should I be sad?

2010-10-06T11:06:00.000-04:00

Last evening, my son in law (Jason) lost his first love, Misty. Misty was a Sheltie of the first water. She had no enemies, except a few squirrels she enjoyed chasing in years past. Jason received her as a gift for his graduation from high school. Misty knew only one true love and that was our J. She was however, the most patient and loving creature. Intelligent, playful, and oh so snuggable. I loved Misty. She was my first grand.

The past year has seen her showing her age, up until the past few weeks when she really was in her final days. Now don't go thinking, why didn't they get her to a vet. When the cost of a vet is higher than a medical doctor, and a pet is at the age Misty was, it didn't make sense. So Sarah and J. kept a close eye on her, kept her as comfy as they could, knowing that the inevitable was closing in. Last evening they came home and with much tears and sorrow, laid her to rest. I had a hard time going to sleep, all I could see was her beautiful face and wagging tail. I prayed for my dear son Jason. And my daughter. I will miss Misty for all the goodness she represented in their house. Her waggy welcome, her sidling up unobtrusively for a gentle stroke first on her head, quickly rolling over for her belly rub. She was a queen mother to the other four footed gang in that house. She kept them in line and taught them the ropes.

I believe that Misty is back in rare form, roaming heaven, playing ball, getting lots of love. I realize that some do not believe that animals will be in heaven. But I do. God has given these precious ones into our care for many reasons. Protection, affection, company, healing, and I believe that if Jesus Christ is returning on a white horse, then where would that horse come from?

Enjoy your new freedom of agelessness, Misty. We will miss you here on earth but know that you will never be forgotten.

Can you help me out?

2010-10-04T16:06:00.000-04:00

Hey folksies
Don't want to let October slip away without at least an update or two. Right at the present time I am enjoying the crisp fall weather that has swept my part of the world. Hope it remains cool - not ready for winter yet but fall is definitely my most favorite time of year.

For any of you who quilt or know quilt histories, I am on a quest. Below is an image of an old quilt that was gifted to me some years back. It has long been the object of my affection, not quite shabby enough to be a cutter yet, but oh so beckoning with it's loveliness.
Can any of you tell me anything about the pattern used here:

This isn't a huge quilt; the blocks themselves are only about 14 inches squared each. The small squares are approx. 1/2 in each.
Such a lovely piece of history and I would love to know more of it. Can you help?

Okay, here's the deal

2010-09-26T19:36:00.000-04:00

you need to know that I get easily overwhelmed lately. In case you haven't noticed, I have had like 7 or 8 other posts the entire YEAR! Now, I would be happy to let you know that I live such an extraordinary life, etc. etc.

But the truth of the matter is this. I have been overwhelmed with life in general. My folks have been requiring more of my time and then there is the matter of daily living. You know, trying to eek out a meager existence to keep a roof over our head. I get online to check my emails, on a rare occasion I will stop by and read a blog or two, but, honestly, when I get overwhelmed, I am not a good time manager for ME time.

I will attempt once again to stay in touch with so many special friends via this blog.

Since my last post in July, I have finished that strippy quilt - it is very lovely on my bed. I took advantage of visiting kin with the folks and got my bedroom painted. It is lovely. The pics I have taken just look blah humbug but I painted one wall red and the other three walls a pale butter yellow. All the trim in white enamel. So crisp and clean. Even Luscious surprised himself when he came home and saw my handiwork. It has been the boost the old fella needed to help with the rest of the house. We will be doing the hall soon. Each time I go down the hall, I snatch off some wallpaper. It is quite a stress buster to pull that old stuff off!!

One evening last week when I woke up at dark thirty, I went down the stairs and made a few new table runners. Two were gifties and one I decided to keep for myself. It is in autumn colors and turned out quite nice.

It is a design called a friendship braid. There are lots of tuts out there for them; the easiest and funnest tutorial is by Missouri Star Quilt Company on youtube.

I am almost finished with a very special lap quilt and will take pics of that soon.

Bear with me folksies.

Almost completed

2010-07-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

I have been spending spare moments when I am not in the garden making a new quilt for this winter. Making a decision to use all my scraps earlier this year seemed daunting. I wanted a quick quilt that didn't require a lot of little brain cells busting. I prefer foundation piecing for the most part, so it was only natural that I settled on a string quilt. Scrappy quilts are my most favorite and this quilt is certainly that! I chose to sash each block set with black fabric which sets off the serendipity of colors quite well.

For the sheer fun of whimsy I did an occasional applique of flowers to remind me of my summer season.

This will be a quite generous queen size quilt. Quite selfishly I decided I wanted a big enough quilt for those three dog nights when Luscious Larry grabs the covers up, he will have to tug quite a lot to take up my share of the warmth! ha! All that is left now is to attach the backing. I will enjoy the handwork after sitting at the machine.

Why????

2010-06-17T14:59:00.001-04:00

Why am I putting a delay on comments? Because, daily I am getting Chinese comments. I delete themand today decided to do a translation. It was an open invitation to view pornography!!! The only way I can
stop this invasion is to moderate comments. The word verification did not stop it at all

Sorry friends. I am so weary of c-r-a-p!

WATCH: Marine Stuns Crowd at Tea Party | The FOX Nation

2010-06-08T13:09:00.001-04:00

http://www.thefoxnation.com/culture/2010/06/07/watch-marine-stuns-crowd-tea-party

D Day - 66 years later

2010-06-06T11:02:00.000-04:00

Sixty six years ago, my Daddy landed on the beaches of Normandy. It was Omaha Beach. 6 in the morning.
When I was a little girl and war movies would come on tv, it was a rarity for him to watch them. Occasionally he would watch weekly comedy shows like Hogan's Heros and McHales Navy. Now that he has decades between himself and that day, he wants to talk about this day.

When the movie Saving Private Ryan came out several years ago, I just knew he wouldn't want to see it. I remembered the nightmares he would have while I was growing up. But he did watch it, tears streaming down his face. He kept saying over and over again, "how in the world did they get it so right?"

We always fly flags here on the Hill. Daddy, I don't know how they got it so right in that film, but I am so very glad that the Allies got it right.

God bless America. Thank a veteran today, even if it isn't Memorial Day, Veterans Day.

How I spent my holiday

2010-06-01T10:31:00.000-04:00

Ahh, Memorial Day. The Unofficial First Day of Summer! Parades, flag flying, family remembrances, cook outs, the always expected pop up down pours, yes, Memorial Day is fun for so many reasons. This year was no different, but oh so different.

I know I will be showing my age here, but, I remember when it was a big holiday for everyone. This year, my kids had to work, so no cook out with them. My folks are not into grilling this particular day. L:ke me, they were counting it as a day off from Dr visits, IV's, and wanting to lay about like a lounge lizard. Even Luscious was not at his peak, due to a summer cold. Sigh.

Not to be denied a bit of fun, I embarked on a great one day project. You know me, always looking for something to keep my hands busy. Recently, I found a patio set leaning against the dumpsters where I work. Being a dumpster diving diva from way back, I snagged it for my daughter and just knew I could get it cleaned up and in shape in no time. Here is what it looked like when I carried it home:

Some pretty serious elbow grease was needed. Being a child of those who were raised in the great depression, I learned how to re use and fix all sorts of things. Like how to re use aluminum foil, de grease and rework screws and nuts and bolts and I also learned how to clean rusty objects with the handy dandy naval jelly. First I scoured the base and table with a strong wire brush and then applied the naval jelly.

While this sits around starting to do it's naval jelly thing, I began firing up the grill in order to make these:

When the aroma of burgers over charcoal reached Luscious Larry's olfactory sense, he pulled himself off the sofa to come outside to play. The fresh air made him feel a wee bit better. Goody for me. He got to finish the burgers off while I went off to check on the progress the naval jelly was making.

As you can it, it's WORKING! I began in earnest scrubbing it with screen paper - like sandpaper but QUICKER; and rinsing it all off preparing to paint it.
I applied the rust prevent primer - wow quick drying and got to do a quick one coat to the top and underside of the table and base.

The burgers were ready by then:

We carried a few tempting morsels down the hill to the folks, played with the newest edition to stray into their yard:

After a bit of time with the folks, we went back up the hill to survey our small garden patch.

This is just one of the veggies plots we have. This is for our squash, zucchini and a few beans.
We are so glad that we checked it - we found some surprises!

There were several squash ready to be picked. Hubs always gives our first harvest pick to friends and family.

To end this very long day saga, I will say that I didn't get to finish the patio set but it is like my house. It is patient and will be finished today. I hope.

While we didn't attend a parade, we did not forget to honor the many who have served their country, offering the greatest sacrifice - their lives. We are proud to be Americans! We are proud of our men and women near and far. God Bless America!

Everything's coming up roses and peonies and hollyhocks and wisteria and . . .

2010-05-17T07:35:00.002-04:00

Everyone and everything is happy here on The Hill. The birdies are singing sweetly, feathering their nests, it is raining when it should (most of the time) to help my veggie garden grow. My usual suspects of volunteers are returning with gusto. All in all I am a happy girl.

blueberries are setting their fruit. mmmm, I can taste those muffins now! Sweeter than candy.

the peonies and foxglove are especially lovely this year

And just his morning, look at what I spied! My very favorite of all; the happy go lucky Rudibeckia.

I hope you can be as happy as a flower, content to shine and bring a smile to someone's face.

So much for promises

2010-03-23T07:26:00.000-04:00

Hi Folksies
February marched into March with loads of weather we are not accustomed to here in my little area of the world. We had snow on the ground from December 18 until just over a week ago! Wow, I never thought I would be tired of the snow. I like it best I think when it is a short lived novelty!

The Humble Arts has had a complete makeover and we are all pretty pleased with the results. Each artist is able to update their own page anytime! Be sure and check each girl out often for their updates.

I had quite a shock last week - I had emergency surgery to remove my gall bladder. I had been sick with various symptoms for a LONG time and had various complaints but never put two and two together. I thought I had acid reflux, pulled muscles, and all sorts of other things wrong with me (you know I have a very vain imagination) for quite a long time. When all the symptoms started ganging up on me all at once, I knew that something was wrong. Being me, I googled every symptom and decided it was my gall bladder. I tried to fix it with a low fat diet. Even that didn't work. So when I had another round of relentless attacks, my dear daughter brought me to the ER in the middle of the night. By the next morning, the gall bladder was out and in no time they shuffled me out and home. I have to admit that I had forgotten how good it is to really feel good! Just in time for Spring!

Yes, spring is finally making her appearance. I am noticing my forsythia is now in full bloom! YAY. What a wonderful herald of spring. I have several bushes just singing out their beauty, waving their arms in joy. I love to walk around the property looking for other shows of new life springing up. What a glorious time of year, to be sure!

There is a lot of clean up to do around here - and I am feeling up to it! Hand me a rake, a trowel and a pair of knee pads and pretty soon, everything will be just the way I like it.

Hope that you will also be soon having your own backyard spring festival!

Is this what being fashionably late is called?

2010-01-31T08:15:00.002-05:00

Hello Folksies
I have always been a timely person. The kind of gal that would rather wait on others than have them wait on me. I am a hairdresser by profession, so I know that sometimes 5 minutes off by some client stuck in traffic can throw me off for the rest of the day. Still, there is no excuse for this behavior. I have also been told and believe that once a pattern is established it becomes a habit. Say it ain't so! No promises being made but I will at least attempt to be more social.

So, what in the world have I been up to and where have I been? Well sir, I have been absolutely no where - in our little part of the world we had a big snow hit us and it finally melted away the first part of this week. Then, we got hit with another one. We do not handle snow well in this area. If it was just snow, it would most likely be fun and fine. However, we get ice mostly and this time was no different. We had periods of snow then icing like on a cake. Then snow, then another layer of ice. We have been hoping, praying and keeping fingers crossed that we don't lose power. Oh, and we've been knocking on wood too.

Folks around here storm the stores before the storm, buying up large quantities of milk, bread, eggs. I have never quite figured that one out. If the power goes out, your milk will spoil, right? I buy the necessaries for my household for snow days. It is called anything sweet. Snow looks sugary, therefore I want to eat something sweet. It must be a subliminal message somewhere.

Right now as I am looking out my window, the sun is bright, the snow is pretty, the birds are happy at their feeders. There is not a snow plow in sight. Hubs is home, I am praying there isn't a football game on anywhere in the universe - or any other sport for that matter. I am not a Lifetime movie kind of girl but I think I will put on some Dexter episodes. Or Lost. Or even put The Tudors on. I love them all. Perhaps I will be able to hand stitch something small.

In case you haven't stopped in The Humble Arts yet, I need to let you know that I did the uploads early because of the weather. I was, and still am, concerned about ice and power lines. So, wander on over. We have an Alice in Wonderland theme that several of us created for. Here is a peek:

Merry Christmas to all

2009-12-19T15:47:00.000-05:00

I wish each of my online friends the most joyous of Christmases this year.

Let me introduce you

2009-11-30T21:30:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-11-18T05:34:00.001-05:00

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

2009-11-11T10:25:00.001-05:00

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?

2009-10-27T11:44:00.009-04:00

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

2009-10-12T09:00:00.003-04:00

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

2009-10-02T07:13:00.002-04:00

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

2009-09-30T19:24:00.002-04:00

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.

2009-09-13T12:52:00.004-04:00

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

2009-09-11T06:41:00.000-04:00

Biggest Bestest Chocolate Chip Recipe ~ I promise!

2009-08-31T10:17:00.002-04:00

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

2009-08-19T10:06:00.028-04:00

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

2009-08-02T10:11:00.002-04:00

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

2009-07-04T08:38:00.007-04:00

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!

2009-07-01T06:41:00.008-04:00

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!

2009-06-23T08:18:00.005-04:00

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!

2009-06-16T18:15:00.009-04:00

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!

2009-06-02T07:55:00.003-04:00

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!

2009-05-31T23:52:00.006-04:00

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

2009-05-24T11:24:00.004-04:00

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

2009-05-19T06:46:00.016-04:00

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

2009-05-18T08:59:00.003-04:00

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

2009-05-17T11:40:00.000-04:00

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

2009-05-05T09:04:00.002-04:00

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

2009-05-02T07:09:00.006-04:00

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!

2009-05-01T07:08:00.003-04:00

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!

2009-04-25T17:06:00.005-04:00

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

2009-04-23T16:00:00.006-04:00

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

2009-04-21T05:10:00.006-04:00

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

2009-04-16T16:34:00.007-04:00

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.

2009-04-12T12:21:00.003-04:00

I'm a Winner!

2009-04-07T09:40:00.003-04:00

Well hush my mouth! I am one lucky girlie today! Got online and the first email I see is from lovely and talented Mary of Something about Mary C.
Mary was having a giveaway for visiting her blog. Guess what? I won! Yippee.
Thank you MaryC! Friends, she is a must read each day. I must admit to reading all her archives once I discovered her. Which is a domino effect; I found Mary through: Nicola.

You know folksies, we are all winners in this blogging thing. I mean, people find their way to your blog, read about your thoughts, and sometimes they will respond. When they do, you have made a new acquaintance. I have been online for about 12 years or more. During that time I have made some great acquaintances and some very true and real friends.

Anyhoo, thanks MaryC. If you really KNEW how MUCH coffee I actually consume, you would know for certain that the random generator could smell it brewing from here.

A new language

2009-04-02T15:13:00.005-04:00

I know that it's said you can't teach an old dog new tricks but I just refuse to believe it! For pete's sake, I learn new stuff every day. For example, I am learning a new language. Actually been learning it for a few years. I call it googlish. Each time I visit someone's blog I must enter a new word. I find it most amusing. That's better than being aggravated. I have even begun to understand some of this new googlish. Take this one:
phently - It could mean many things but looks like faintly to me. How about quatibil -
that one could be trickier. Could it mean gullible or another expletive expression for What? Another bill???

When I was a kid, my folks would speak pig latin at the dinner table. Quite infuriating to nosey 8 year olds. Well sir, we bloggers now have our own form of pig latin and no one will know our secret language but us. How about some whown dical tyang undepre ilicalim to go with your ssesl tohoo cedntes. Reati?

Betcha I could finally win a scrabble game with any given letter in my tray these days! Oh wait a minute! So that's how they come up with these words!

The Humble Arts April Edition is now Available!

2009-03-31T21:02:00.003-04:00

Friends we have some talented artists on The Humble Arts. This month we have some crackerjack offerings that we sure would be humbled to have you take a peek at! Head on over to our site and if you don't already receive our monthly newsletter, be sure and sign up. We won't spam you!
Clicking herewill bring you there. Poof! It's magic!
Now here's a sneak peek at some of it:

Something fun

2009-03-31T08:41:00.004-04:00

Hi folksies!
Another banner event; a few posts consecutively! Spring must be affecting more than my allergies!
I took a few pics this morning to share with my HARTS sisters of a project that I am working on. It is a scrappy string quilt. I am wanting to use up scraps that I have collected and this works perfectly as a means of getting rid of them. I was inpsired by Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville - (the link is on my right panel for anyone interested in this fun and productive way of getting rid of scraps.) While this is not a new way of quilting, it is definintely a marvel for those of us who are scrambled in the brain. I love to see how the colors move together. I generally grab any random scrap from my box and that is what gets sewn next.

On the block above, I appliqued a flower for fun. I like having fun.

Of Tulip Trees, Magnolias and Poplars

2009-03-30T18:58:00.005-04:00

I am so very excited. The tulip tree bud(s) are starting to really open. Now mind you, this is a wee bitty tree. It began life as a shoot off of a HUGE tree at my uncle's house in Yonkers, NY three years ago. That I even got it to root, much less LIVE and now grow, is amazing to this gal. Guess it likes the South!
It stands about 5 ft tall right now. This is the second year it has bloomed. I am thrilled.
For those who have asked, it is also known as a Japanese Magnolia.
Other trees, which are also called American Tulip trees are the Poplar. My granny always called them cup and saucers. That is what they look like when they bloom:

American Poplars are fairly common on our property. I love them for their blooms and fragrance. My allergies don't like them, along with all the other fauna I so enjoy. Zyrtec works well for me and hey! as an added bonus this week, the generic of it is on sale at Rite Aid. Yippee.
Poplars are nice trees. Just sort of prone to lightning strikes on my property for some reason.
They grow very fast. Which is why I am hoping that this tulip tree in the back will grow fast! Of course, considering I rooted it three years ago and it is currently 5 ft tall, I would say that it is fast growing.
Thanks for reading, folksies.

2009-03-29T20:06:00.004-04:00

Today was a day for being lazy. I have certainly enjoyed the weather today - a wee bit of sun after several days of gloomy rain. I know, I know, April showers bring May flowers. To which I say humbug- I am ready for some sun with an occasional shower to help the flowers.

Calamity Kim is having a great giveaway! I loves this blog and if you haven't visited there, you really need to:

http://calamitykim.typepad.com/calamity_kim/2009/03/calamity-kims-apron-celebration-giveaway.html

Her work is always fun inspired.

Also, wanted to remind everyone that The Humble Arts will be updated on April 1st!

Sneek Peek

2009-03-24T10:36:00.002-04:00

Here's a sneak peek at what I will be offering on the Humble Arts next week . . . shhhh!

The Truth about Annie . . .

2009-03-21T13:07:00.007-04:00

Well, it's official. All my much heralded anticipation and excitement about Spring arriving - and it's sprung already!
I am the type of person that always walks with my head up with a smile on. I was always told that a smile is the best thing a person could wear. I was also taught to walk with a book on my head for practicing good posture; some things just stick. Of course, in the Spring, I walk around my garden with my head facing the earth and bending/stooping quite often looking for Annie. Sweet Annie that is. You see, the truth about Sweet Annie is that it is a weed. I don't say that loud enough to offend the sweet thing. But shhhhhh, weed she is. She never grows where sowed, I have learned. Instead, in her whimsical way, she grows wherever the wind or birds may leave her and that is generally where you don't want her to be.
Stealthily each spring I walk around much like a gardening Sherlock Holmes, stalking the Annie . . .
Today I have found some already peeking up. I am certain that as the days grow even warmer and the sun shines even brighter that I shall be rewarded with more.

After a few more warm days, I shall dig this up and transplant it where I want her to be. I won't wait for her to grow much more; she likes to stay put to grow gracefully and fragrantly.

So what is the truth about Annie? The truth is, I never know where she will grow, I am just glad that she visits me each year.

Here is what else is blooming in my yard today:

Quince

This Pussy Willow already has opened it's little paws. I started this tree from
a sprig five years ago. It is very happy!

My baby tulip tree! Yea! It is getting ready
to bloom! I can hardly wait.

Happy Spring Everyone!