Music and Mom

I had to share this with you. I mean, who else would understand me the way you do? I cut my teeth on the music of the era of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Dylan, Dick Clark of American Bandstand, and matured listening to Led Zeppelin, Marshall Tucker, Lynyrd Skynyrd and you can figure all the rest. My Mom and I do not share the same taste in music. Well, I do appreciate Big Band music. That is my one concession and an occasional Perry Como or Patti Page ditty. Mom considers my taste in music rather obscene. It's a good thing she has never heard some of the heavy metal or punked out mess out there - she doesn't know what obscene is, right?
I love music. All forms of it are okay to me ~ even sounds I don't consider music are okay in doses ~ get the drift?

During the past year of taking care of Mom, I have been trying to wean her off of Lifetime Movies for Women and introduce her to some new stuff that is great. Like LOST, The Closer, Life on Mars, Monk and oh yes, some different music. That is the theme of this post.

I have a cd burner and Luscious makes me some great tunes to groove to while I am cleaning, sewing, cooking. The other evening as I was sewing down at the folks house, the song that is playing right now (I'm Yours by Jason Mraz) started to play. I love this song. It has a nice beat, easy to move to, and I'll give it a 10, Dick.

Mom had her eyes closed, so I assumed she was sleeping. I kept sewing. When the song ended, Mom opened her eyes and asked, "Can you play that song again?" Whoa Nellie, hold yer horses! Did I just hear my Mom ask to listen to one of my tunes again??? Sure! I can do that. After listening to it again, I asked her what she liked about it. Her reply and this is so classic Mom "What's not to like about it? It makes me want to move. It makes me feel like I did years ago when we were on vacation."

Music is a force that is really a deep subject. I don't have the time or the Einstein brain to figure it all out ~ let's just leave it at this: Mom and I have
found yet another common ground of mutual bliss. Luscious will be making her a CD of her own. I will be sure to put I'm Yours on it and Mack the Knife on it ~ after all, that is considered a real oldie these days; it is also such a happy little sounding song about murder. Think she's ready for Santeria yet? Dare me to not put it on? You'd lose!

Mid Week Thoughts

Okay, so it is Wednesday. The middle of the week already. While I wonder where the days go, I realize that I have accomplished more than I think.

Why it was only this past Sunday, the beginning of this new week, that Luscious and I finally took the Christmas Tree down! In all honesty, I didn't even notice it was still up until the end of January. All the rambling around taking care of the folks has left my house in total disrepair. My dear Luscious doesn't like clutter within his line of vision. Therefore, while I dash in and out, dumping stuff on the kitchen table, bedroom floor, bathroom floor, totes here, totes there, well, it can accumulate. Luscious is very good at being tidy. I am not (well, in my head I am a queen of clean orderliness). To keep his sanity, he picks up all my droppings and then deposits them in the spare bedroom that I slaved over getting clean for the Thanksgiving visit from Number 1 son. Am I making any sense so far. My brain is really rambling today.
So, all the things that I
(a) use
(b) need
(c) wear
are all in a pile of the floor and bed of the spare room. He can close the door and forget about it.

I have spent the better part of the past few months staying with my folks at night down the hill. Now and then, like this morning, I get to go looking for something that I KNOW I have but where in the dickens did I put it? Aha! The spare room.

I know it doesn't look like it but this mountain of mess is really clean. Luscious just doesn't know how to HANG my clothes up once they have been laundered and imagine my surprise finding my elfin gourdhead Santa sitting sentinel on top of a few totes of undies. I won't show you the floor. Trust me when I tell you that I had to stand on top of things to reach for a pair of clean jeans to wear today.

Which leads me to why I am writing this post . . .

I have the world's best hubby. It is written all over my face when I see him. I adore this man. It is evident in the butterflies I still get in my tummy after all these years when I see him come through the door or hear his voice on the phone. There are only a few things that I have requested of him through the years. They are:
(1) don't mess with my garden plans. There is always a method in the madness of my experimental layouts. He still has not learned this.
(2) Don't buy me clothes for gifts. This is because they NEVER fit. They are either too small for certain parts of my body (like my apple bottom) or too large for my sports bra clad uni-bosom.

This morning, as I plowed through the piles of clean clothes on the bed for a pair of jeans that I could not find, I did find an erstwhile Christmas gift. A new pair of jeans. In desperation, I grabbed them up and tried them on. Huzzah! A decent fit except for the length. I am a short gal. He is a tall guy. I never have to hem his pants because men's pants come in the length that is correct. Ladies pants however labeled are always too long for me. So . . . I have spent the remainder of my free time this morning trying to hem a pair of jeans and cutting off the 6 inches of excess.

Sigh.

Luscious will be thrilled to see me wear his gift. I am certain that it has been as forgotten as what else is behind the door of the spare room.

A Good Thing . . .

What is a P.I.F you ask? Well it's where you make a crafty gift for someone and in return they do the same for someone else. So would you like to P.I.F.................... Here's how it works.....

Just recently, I was chosen to participate in a P.I.F. Cathy Jackson of Hazleruthe's. Now it's my turn to Pay It Forward.

I will be choosing 5 people at random to send some little handmade gift to in the next 365 days. (A PIF's rules say 365 days, but I plan to do so in much shorter time!).

In return you have to post a PIF on your blog linking back to this PIF (You can even use my PIF banner above on your blog). and choose a minimum of 4 people--(more is ok too) to send a little handmade crafty gift to in 365 days from your PIF post. (and then they will do the same and so on and so forth til it travels round the world and involves hundreds of bloggers!). Your gift may be in the medium of your choice. Just please make sure it is something that is nice that you would like to receive.

If you would like to have a chance at receiving a PIF from me (and in turn PIFing others) within the next 365 days then please leave a comment on this post only between now and February 28th.

--I will draw names of 5 people and they will be my PIF members. I will email you to let you know if you have been chosen and I will need your name and snail mail addy,so I can you your PIF at an unknown time--the element of surprise!

You DO need to have an active blog in order to participate.

Please make sure that I can either reach you through your profile or leave me your email addy. Thank you!

Get ready......get set.......PIF!

Hope in a jar

About two weeks ago on a very bitterly cold day I went outside to get me a dose of hope.
I cut several forsythia frond (or yellow bells as we call them here) and put them in a old milk jug. I set them on a bright windowsill and waited.
This little ritual is performed each year by myself and countless others who long for the warmth of spring and the renewal that hope brings.

What, it's Groundhog Day??!!!!!

Where did January go? Oh yeah, most of you were frozen in! Here in my part of the South, it has been nothing but cold, cold, cold and rain, rain, rain! And enter February with a forecast for more cold rain this week. Sigh. It is too early as I write this to know if the groundhog will see his shadow. I don't need a show of hands to wonder how many are wanting an early spring.
Friends, I have sadly missed blogging. Many of my close personal friends know that I have become the primary caregiver for my wonderful parents. January 10, 2008, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. After some surgery for the BC, radiation followed. Everything seemed fine until the CLL kicked in. Chemo was necessary and created a whole other series of problems known as side effects. Since the beginning of August 2008, my days have been filled with doctors, hospitals, emergency surgeries, nursing home rehab, and it has seemed like a never ending vicious cycle. My Dad needs surgery as well, which may be coming soon. I won't go into how I really feel about doctors and the elderly. I will say that I am privileged to be the child of these two dynamic folks. It is a joy to spend time with them. It has however, limited my time with friends, creating and playing with the 'puter.
I have learned that I am stronger than I knew and more than I ever wanted to be. I cannot imagine what it is like to be in their bodies. Their minds are sound - better than mine! LOL. Their bodies are just not co-operating. I wasn't going to write about any of this because while it may sound depressing, I have to admit that my Pollyanna nature is still in full force. I have at times been overwhelmed but love hopes all things, believes all things. God is good.
For those of my dearest ones who have prayed for us and accepted my silence, I thank you. Your prayers have been truly felt.
And for newer visitors, don't give up on me. I have a lot in my head to write about, create and share.
One thing I would like to share is that The Humble Arts February 2009 edition is open. All my dear sisters at HARTS took the month of January off to relax a bit after the flurry of the holidays. Please go over and take a peek at the wonderful goodies and eye candy that they are offering this month. I am tickled pink to be sharing the space with these wonderfully talented and caring, praying women!!
Here is a small sampling. Go for it!

The Year begins anew

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on
them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New
Year's Day.
~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

The Bloat after Thanksgiving

Hello my friends
Many of you have written me privately and wondered where in the world I have been.
This month has whizzed by without my permission! Mercy, I never did like roller coasters and these past few months have certainly felt like a carnival ride!

My oldest son came home for the Thanksgiving Holiday with his gal of the past few years. It was our first time to meet her. Thanksgiving evening, they announced their
engagement. The only ones surprised was them! They were surprised that none of us on the Hill were surprised. I believe that these two are well suited for each other.

I know, I know. I keep telling y'all I am a LOUSY photographer. Hard to take pics when I am busy with everything else. No one else has shared their photos with me yet.

Luscious put the Christmas Tree up and we are still decorating it. All the real food has been consumed and what is left is the sordid stuff that leaves my thighs quivering. Choclate Pie,
Brownies, Sugar Cookies, Pumpkin Cheesecake and oh my goodness - Ableskievers. We only make them at holiday time because they are like potato chips - can't eat just one.

I am working on the uploads for the Humble Arts for December. Will check in tomorrow morning and give everyone the heads up. Here is a sneek peek of what I will be offering:

All Hearts come to HARTS in November

Hello folksies
I am as errant as ever getting this updated. No excuse is really good enough, so, sneek a peek below at what the wonderfully talented artists have been creating for you at The Humble Arts
And while you are at it, if you haven't signed up to receive our monthly newsletter, be sure and sign up! When you do this month you will receive a Holiday Confections Cookbook that we've cooked up just to share with YOU!
See you there.

Remnants of my garden

Seems as if all of a sudden a few of my ertswhile bloomers have decided that they like this
cool fall weather and are sending out a bright little show for me. Above is my pineapple sage, I
wish the picture really showed it's brilliant red. I keep telling y'all I am not the best picture taker

A lone azalea bud

I love the color of this morning glory, tangled all up in the garlic chives. I have
plenty of chive seeds - can you tell??

And the sweetest little cosmos growing out from under this rock. Love this pic.

Now to wait for the rest of the leaves to fall. I have gotten lazy. I merely sweep them off the
walkways and wait for barren trees to signal time to chip them up for mulch.
Have a blessed day.

Why I love FALL

Where have all the Flowers gone?

I just LOVE this time of year. Leaves are beginning to change their clothes and some are shedding them as well, letting everyone know that there is something magical about this season. The picture above was taken on the way to my daughter's house, just a short 3 minutes from me.
The mornings have been cool - not downright cold - just cool and pleasant. Sweater mornings and quilty nights.
Spring colors remind me of a peacock with the brilliance of the color after a stark winter. Fall is a lady that is breathtaking as well in the subtleness of her beauty. My own backyard is just starting to make the change.
I still have morning glories blooming - the flower stalks are setting their seeds for next year and the sweet annie is drying nicely. The artmesia is also making it's tiny flowers that I love to clip, and in a few short months will decorate my Christmas Tree with. The tansy flowers have turned from brilliant yellow to autumn brown.
I have some mums that have begun to bloom with all the fire of fall.


I really need to take a drive to the Blue Ridge soon. I am certain it is peak right now. Sigh. I love the drive around the winding roads. With the cost of fuel, I may just wander my own back forty and take pictures this year. If I do, you know that I will share them with you.

October Humble Arts

Hello Folksies
Our brand new edition of The Humble Arts will be unveiled tomorrow on October 1.
We would certainly like to have you drop by and find something special to bring home.

My new offering this month is a wonderfully primitive sampler that has been
matted and framed - ready to decorate your home with Angels.

How to Build a Snowman . . .

Last fall I did a really quick and natural tutorial on how to make a wreath. This morning when the birdies were still sleeping, I woke up with an itch to paint something. I decided to share my morning with you. This is an oober simple project. I have used a piece of wood that I actually found! It was with a few others that appeared to be mistakes but worked great for me! Oops, I guess you know now that I like to dumpster dive occasionally.

How to build a snowman:

First find a piece of wood that would hang nicely on your wall. Here's the one that I am re-purposing:

I sanded it smoothly, blew off the dust and proceeded to paint it black
Because I am always in a hurry to finish a project, I used a blow dryer to complete the drying process. Then I used a white colored pencil to draw some eyes like this:

Next step is the fun part. I used an antique white paint and a scruffy brush. I began to pounce around the perimeter in a circle and around the eyes, leaving them black, like this:
Kind of looks like a mask, doesn't it? You can make the eyes in any shape you like, and if you feel like you want more white than I have shown, go for it. I liked this texture for myself. Next two steps are combined because I forgot to take two photos. Told you I was in a hurry!

You want to squirt out some orange for the nose; Take a round brush and make lines down the middle for the nose . . . . and then ~ pounce some of the orange with a bit of the antique white. Pounce on your pad to blend. then make cheeks - it should look something like this:


Next, dip your brush nib into the antique white and make two dots for eyes. You will also need to pour a wee bit more of the black to make the mouth. It should look like this when you have done it:


Next step - we're almost done ~ pour a bit more of the antique white. Using a fine round brush - I don't know what size - whatever fits your hand good - I am not good at knowing what numbers are which with brushes - I paint by the seat of my britches most of the time - Anyhow, I have painted a saying on the sign. You may want to use your white colored pencil to get the spacing right - Here's mine:


Next step is the funnest step of all - Take a toothbrush and dip it in the antique white paint. Using your finger, splay it around for a snowy effect over the snowman and words.

After it's good and dry, seal with a matte sealer, and put a hanger on the back. Voila! easiest project I have done in a while! Enjoy!!

62 Years

I posted this on my folks anniversary a year ago today. They have made it another year.
I couldn't think of anything else to say about being together 62 years or about my folks except, Mommy And Daddy, you are still my heros.








Wow! Married to the same person, day in, day out, good times, bad times, three kids . . . wow!
My folks met in 1945 and married in 1946. The war was over, Daddy just back from Europe. While in the service to his country, he left a gawky teen and returned a man. He landed on the beaches of Normandy and was involved in many of the European Theater including the Battle of the Bulge. When he returned home to the states, he was stationed in New Jersey waiting to go home. Well sir, he met my Mother through one of her old classmates who was home from WWII and that was all it took. My Dad had seen the picture of my mother (above) in his friends billfold. My Daddy used to kid him, I'm going to take that gal away from you. You can figure out that they met and my Dad kept his word!

They eloped, breaking my Grandmother's heart! But Grandma came around to really love my Daddy and was proud to call him her son. That generation seemed to be in a hurry for more than marriage. I think that they were in a hurry to make up for the years lost to the war.

There is something about this particular generation that fascinates us today. They grew up in the depression, rallied around the flag against the Axis of terror, fought the Cold War, and spoiled their children T-totally rotten! Well, I can't say my folks spoiled me; I am a middle child after all! But like the rest of their peers, they envisioned a better life for their children than what they had.
I remember when we got our first TV. wow, I got to watch the Mickey Mouse Club and Sky King and Ramar of the Jungle! See, there I go rambling; this isn't about ME, it is about my folks!

My folks have always had an extraordinary love in my eyes. Daddy has always been the quintessential Southern Gentleman, never forgetting his good manners. He has always given my Mom flowers, candy and jewelry throughout their years together. He still opens the car door for her and pulls out her chair. Whenever a lady enters the room, he stands up. My Mom has spent her life being devoted to this man she choose for her husband. Their backgrounds couldn't have been more different!



My Mom was born and raised in Staten Island, New York,in a house built in the 1780's! She was born into an old family rich in the heritage of this nation.
My Daddy was born and raised in Spray, NC, dirt poor, always hungry, looking for a good time or to get into a scrapping! Can you imagine my Mother's thoughts as she moved into her new residence where there was NO electric, No indoor plumbing, and where she had to go outside and catch her own chicken dinner?! Well, youth will do anything for love . . . then and now!


They survived, their love has flourished, they raised their own family, took care of their own parents as they aged. Their backgrounds may have been so very separate but they were both raised to work hard, their word was their bond, and above all, they honored their parents. They have passed this onto my siblings and myself. I am so thankful to have had these two marvels as my parents. I tell them all the time that even if they weren't my parents I would enjoy their company. I like them as much as I love them.
Happy anniversary, folks. I wish we could all have another 62 years together!

It's Snowing over at The Humble Arts!

Come on over to The Humble Arts and take a peek.
My personal offerings are:
Mr and Mrs. Santa Claws


And a winter time mailbox to hold your goodies

A little of this and a little of that . . .

Hello Folksies
I have been absent quite a bit lately ~ lots of things to do and oh, so little
precious time.
I have finally finished up the last of the apples - some are sliced and in the
freezer for pies and fried apples; the rest has been made up into a heavenly
apple butter. The scent eminating from my kitchen has been scrumptious.



So far August has not been as hot as it normally is. I salute Mother Nature for this. Some of the old heads around here are getting rather boastful of their weather predicting skills. They are feverishly watching the squirrels, the woolly caterpillar, counting acorns, watching the black walnut trees and counting the foggy mornings. All of these and more are said to be predictors of the coming winter weather. This is most fascinating folklore. When I was growing up I was taught signs ~ cows lying in the field was a sign of rain coming, leaves that show their underside is another sign of rain ~ I tell you, we keep an eye on those cows since we are still in a moderate drought. LOL.

My garden has pretty much played out it's summer harvest. We are trying to get the fall crops in and I am not so sure I can do much there this year. I do love my cabbage, broccoli and other greens that are fall crops.

This is a snap of a few of the broccolie growing last year. It was a glorious crop - due to the fact that we kept straw mulch and toted buckets of water to them last year. I am not sure I am up to toting buckets of water out there this year. Sigh. I really would love to get a well sunk and put in a good little irrigation system. Of course, I would like a lot of things and my Daddy has always maintained that if you spit in one hand and wish with the other, look real good at what you have.

A friend pointed out this ebay auction; I read it and felt alternately giggly and sad. Thought I would share it with my little corner of blogland.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250280309940&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015

Hoping that you have a great day, I am back to clean up my kitchen.

The only good thing about August

is autumn is on the way . . .

What a week!

Hello Friends
It has been a hot hot hot week here. Betcha it was the same where you live.
And here it is August 1! I am just so not believing that it is August already!
The above picture show is from the August edition of The Humble Arts We opened it up this morning.
I wanted to post this sooner but that is what I have to chat with you about. But first this commercial break -

We have two new faces at The Humble Arts this month - My Prim Sistas & Sherry's Cabin. You can find a link to their blogs on the right under my HARTS links. Please give their pages on the website a good look. They are very talented and we are all quite enamored with them already. Also, we have another Featured Artist this month - please don't forget to read about Joyce of Everydaysies - she is one of the most talented hand stitchers I have ever met.

Now back to the program.

I have been blocked out of my blog for a few days. Folks could read it, post a comment, but, I couldn't update it as I had hoped to. You see, I had a hold put on my blog because someone reported me for being a spammer. I am still not quite sure what I was s'posed to be spamming folks with. But it has something to do with linkages and this post is already full of them. I had to request that Blogger folks take a personal look at my blog to make sure that I was not breaking any of their rules.
Because of this frustration, I am tempted not to do any more awards. I think I am going to make this my personal rule. I will continue to be delighted with awards - everyone likes to get them. But I will not post the links to the sites on my blog. I will put them either in my column and then write each recipient and have them pick up the award but no more links for a while. Makes me a bit nervous to have some big dogs reading my page, looking for typos, poorly written essays of my day, etc. Kind of like Net Nazis.
Now, to the person who reported me, Shame on You. Life is far too short and sweet for me to hold a grudge. If you don't like what you see here, you can visit somewhere else. It is as simple as a click of the mouse.

Here is a pic of my personal offering at The Humble Arts this month. It was a lot of fun to create!



Blessings to all.

Paying forward

For all my buddies out there who have bestowed this neat award on me, I have to say a belated thank you kindly. It also comes in this variety:
I am going to try to list y'all in the proper way. I always seem to have trouble with blogger getting this right - so here goes.

Donna of Cottage Days, a sister at heart for always
Karin, my special Peanut, of Countryfolk Keepsakes
Betty, my sweet and fun friend of She Sews Pretty
Tammy of Remembering the Good Old Days a fellow Tar Heel and lover of all old prim things!

And I know that there were a few others, I think. My only excuse is picking, canning, being married to Luscious who is enough to distract any sane woman, and mostly because I keep forgetting to do this.

Now I know that it is proper breeding to smile and say thank you. So close your eyes and imagine a possum grinning. That's me. Now open your eyes and thank the good Lord that particular nightmare is over.

Sincerely, I am always tickled when folks read my blog, comment on it and oh, the sweet friendships I have made in the past year. I believe most sincerely that we meet for different reasons at different places, stages and seasons in our lives. It is never by chance, it is by design. We are all somebody's special someone in each day. If you happen to look at the links, you can see who all my special someone's are. I don't list links for popularity or for any other reason than these folks have touched my life with laughter, inspiration, friendship and motivation.

I am supposed to list a few other folks to receive this award. I am going to list them here and hope that you will visit them. They are each one different and a gift to me.

Karen of Farm Girl Ga. Style
We are kindred spirits in our pioneer hearts and love of the Lord

Kady of StoneyHill Cabin
A friend for more seasons than I remember. This will be a clutter for her blog, LOL. sorry Kady. Couldn't resist.

Sandy of Sandy's Space What you see is what you get with her. Honest, simple and just good folks. Hi Sandy! Surprise!

and last but not the least at all is:

Melanie My new friend across the Pond,of Jelly Bean Angel I cannot keep her to myself. I know you shall fall in love with her.

Okay, there you have it.
Please get to know these gals if you haven't already. They have enriched my life and I know everyone can use a sprinkling of happy each day.

Blondie's Blue Ribbon Blueberry Muffins

Are you tired of me talking about my garden yet? It has been so hot the past few days that I have been lazy. I haven't canned much but instead have done the lazy gals job of picking and freezing the blueberries. Freezing blueberries is easy. Just pick, put in a freezer safe ziplock and put in the freezer. I generally freeze mine in the snack size bags. That size seems to hold a smidge over 1 cup of blueberries. Just the right size for most recipes.

I make a lot of different things with the blueberries but what I am most asked for is my Blueberry Muffin recipe.


Blondie's Blue Ribbon Blueberry Muffins

It's true; I won a blue ribbon umpteen years ago at the County Fair with this recipe. It is easy, and yummy!


6 tbsp butter
2/3 c. sugar
1 egg

Beat above until fluffy; then add:


1 tbsp baking powder
1 ¾ c. A/P flour
¾ tsp salt
½ c. milk
1 tsp lemon extract
½ tsp vanilla
1 cup blueberries

scoop into greased muffin tins

Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minute