M'Lady's Ponderings

2011-04-12T14:44:00.010-04:00

And while I'm showing projects: This cutie KNITTED baby and pretty card, was sent to me from Daughter 2 right after we lost Midnight. She ~ daughter ~ knitted it with her own 2 hands/needles. She did a wonderful job on my "forever with me" kitty. I don't know where she got the card but it was just perfect and the head is shaped exactly like Midnights was. The back with M on the butt for Midnight.

The side: (uhhh, that's an arm ya'll)

And the entire kitty, sooo cute. I LOVE HER (and that's a tail ya'll, shame on you!)

Strike a pose up against all those Girlscout cookies hubby couldn't turn away from buying. NO, I don't have any left!!!

Midnight sits with me every night in my sewing room while I watch tv, just like she used to do. She can now be with me forever. Thanks Sarah, you are a very special, thoughtful daughter.

2011-04-12T14:37:00.003-04:00

Here's a (finally) finished blanket I started 2 years ago. Just finished last month. It's a strip blanket made for one of our new camping cots that are very long and very skinny. I loved using up all that (well most of) that acrylic that I had accumulated over the years. I probably still have enough to do another one. ~ Anyway, this blanket was originally from the Drum Afghan thread that was on Crochetville a few years ago. (Please excuse the mess of the bed). Here's the join section. Same pattern as the blanket but just worked sideways.

2011-04-05T18:27:00.003-04:00

I'm so far behind in posts! So, here's a quickie update of a Fat Bottom Bag I made myself for this past winter. I can't even remember now what the yarn was that I used but I really liked it. It's so soft and pet-able. Here's the finished bag. I bought braided handles at JoAnn's, rushed home and sewed them on. It was a great finish for me especially since I'm known to stuff FO's in the closet until I decide what to do with them. I got this one knocked out and ready to use a mere week after I finished the crocheting on it! AMAZING I didn't take a pic of the inside of the bag but it's just a common solid chocolate color in cotton with some pockets sewn on each side.

2011-03-21T13:50:00.003-04:00

My wonderful kitty - Midnight aka Ninny- (pic on the left side column) died if February of this year. She is missed greatly. I never realized how much of my time she was involved in and how she filled the hours when I was alone. She always knew when a bug/critter was in the house because she would go sit by whereever they were hiding. She always game me that heads up so I could get on my shoes! She was a good kitty. Rest In Peace sweet princess.

2010-08-19T13:06:00.002-04:00

SHE DID IT!!! Finally, the Babette Blanket is finished! I got all the squares finished in July. When daughter #2 came home for a weekend, I proudly presented them to her. She started putting them together while she was here. She was sooooo excited too. I didn't get pictures of it but she has put some up on her blog. It's the second post down (at this writing). Go check it out.

http://fathippycrafts.wordpress.com

She did a wonderful job getting it together, AND I got to see it in person when I was there visiting her last week. It looked FABULOUS. She is as proud of it as I am in having finished all those squares. And that's saying a lot after the fiasco with the Grandmother's Flower Garden 'ghan I did for daughter #1.

Well, go see, go see and let me know what you think.

2010-08-16T12:32:00.003-04:00

So, about 2 months ago now, I bought a Better Homes and Garden magazine. Yes, yes, I know, I don't usually waste money on magazines but I was just in the mood and got it. In there (I think it was the June issue) was an article by a baker for homemade chocolate pie. That brought back so many happy memories of Mom and all her cakes, cookies and pies that she made. My favorites that she made were her Lemon meringue, Chocolate meringue and her Coconut pie. I loved sitting in the kitchen watching her get out all the ingredients to whip one (usually more than that) up from scratch. She was a whiz at baking. The women of her era usually were.
Anyway, when I saw this article, I knew I just had to make one right then. So, I did. Mine, however, was made with Splenda because Mr. Man is diabetic. It turned out quite delicious even if it was a Splenda pie. He loved it and wants another soon. He isn't crazy about the meringue so I didn't completely cover the pie in it. But homemade it is!! From scratch, just like Mom used to make. I just wish she was here to have shared it with us.

See how nice and thick that meringue is? That was so he could just pull it off and leave it on the side of his plate and wouldn't have to waste any of the chocolate trying to get it off! :) He's a pip.

2010-08-09T16:28:00.004-04:00

Today's work:

Canned Cole Slaw from the Chickens In The Road site. It's pretty tasty!

http://chickensintheroad.com/farm-bell-recipes/coleslaw-to-can-or-freeze/print

Oh, and yes, I know I'm still using my Christmas dish towels!! (giggle)

2010-08-09T16:17:00.003-04:00

The leaves clung dearly to the limbs of the cherry tree.

In them, was life.

But NO, they could not keep their hold and fell to the

ground.

The heat had reared it's ugly head once more

and

laughed

at their passing.

Sights of Spring

2010-05-13T11:12:00.011-04:00

Look what I found at the base of my Camellia... I've never seen such a color. Beautiful

And finally, the ole Azaleas decided to give it one last try. First time they have bloomed in about 4 years! This was their last shot. They were going to be cut down and dug up this year for the trash pile. I guess they deciced they better get with the program. Looks like that "talking to" did some good after all. Maybe I'll give them another year.

Next post will be the jam I made. Ya'll have a good weekend.

Zucchini Pickles and Snacks

2010-03-29T11:10:00.007-04:00

Here are my zucchini pickles that I canned last week. Didn't they turn out so pretty? I haven't opened a jar to try them yet but I did taste the "juice" that I canned them in and it was pretty tasty. These are going on my emergency shelf. When the next sale on zucchini comes around, I'll be putting up some more of these babies. I mean, who doesn't like pickles of any kind?! I got 4 pints and 1 half pint from 2 1/2 lbs of zucchini.
I just wish I wasn't so limited in what I can put up. I really REALLY need to get a pressure canner - SOON.

This is what I did this morning: SNACKS in BAGS!! Aren't I ever so clever. :)

I had some raisins, apricots, toasted pecans, banana chips and a very small box of tropical mix (these were pee-wee pieces that I won't buy again IF I do this again). I got about 8 bags out of the mixture I had with about 1/2 cup in each bag. I really just wanted to play with my new Seal A Meal. It was fun and I had the fruit, so why not! BUT all I had was the 11" roll that we bought extra so that's why they are so long and skinny. Certainly a smaller quart size bag would have been better to use and I'll eventually get some. For now, these will be just fine. These are also going on my emergency shelf, so it's safe to say that yes, I more than likely will make more of these.

If you read my blog: write in and let me know what you've been up to lately to prepare for the future.

Later ya'll.

2010-03-22T14:08:00.004-04:00

Edit: OH Here's that second pic: Looks pretty rough doesn't it! See the beginning of this post after this pixie.

Remember that hardtack I made? Well, I finally tried it BUT I think I tried it with the wrong kind of stuff. I had some microwave chili that needed to be used. So, I thought that would be a good thing to test this hardtack out on...... Well, I don't think it was. I think I just needed some good ole fashion Chicken Noodle Soup with lots of broth.
Admittedly, this does look somewhat tasty but the hardtack was sooooo hard and there just wasn't enough juice to actually soften it up. LOL I tried to bite a piece off and thought my poor teeth would fall out of my mouth! At the end of the bowl, that real nice square of hardtack was still a real nice square of chili covered brick! I did take a pic of the "end of bowl" remains but it didn't turn out on my camera so you'll just have to look at this pic. See how nice it looks?
I'll just have to do another test run on these babies at a future date. Hubby doesn't eat a lot of soup so I don't make it too often.

2010-03-04T22:05:00.008-05:00

Just here to add a few quickie pictures. It's late night but I'd been meaning to post these for awhile so here goes. These first two are of the squares for daughter 2's Babette Blanket that got started last summer (or before!) Aren't they every so pretty and colorful?! Yes, I'll have a ton of yarn ends to weave in before these babies every think of getting put together. I've only got about half of them done so there's still a ton left to make. :(

Up close and personal.

These are just two of the scarves I made this winter that are getting ready to be packed to send to daughter 2 along with some edging lace I had made several years ago and didn't use. They are sized for the edge of a standard pillow case. She had mentioned that she wanted some and SHE is the one that actually reminded me that I had made it! So, the least I can do is put it in the box for her. I had done several pieces of it in the past but the rest did get used on her pillows when she was so much younger. She was the princess way back then and had to have pretty cases. The old plain ones just wouldn't have worked. :)
Oh, the purple scarf is just folded and tied up so it won't get everywhere when I mail it. So, ignore that green yarn on it. It is one of the knitted scarves that I did at her apartment when I went down in Dec. to help her get ready for her move after graduation. Yes, I'm still a straight beginning knitter. The scarf on the right is the Luna Lovegood (crochet) scarf. That pattern is floating around on the net and you might be able to find it over at Crochet Pattern Central, at least I think you can find it there. I should have unfolded it so you can see the pattern on it. Well, you'll have to trust me, it is a pretty scarf. Both of these are my use it up: de-stash projects. Both made with some Simply Soft laying around. The knitted one is 3 strands and made a good heavy scarf.

Here's the pic of my brand new spankin' clothes pin apron. I made it yesterday also out of left-over fabric that was in the stash pile. Pretty spiff, ain't it! No, I don't have a clothes line living in the heart of suburbia (sp- that doesn't look right) with stringent covenants set in place and it may be years before I do have one but when I need it- I'll have it. Anyway, I can still use it around the house and dream of the day that I'll have a clothesline and a garden and chickens and such.

That stripped part is one big ole giant pocket!!! Just think of all the stuff I can get in there! And just in case you're wondering, yes, I purposely made the ties short and small. I didn't want all that bulk on this particular apron. I'm gonna be making a few more aprons and will do them however I feel like doing them- and you can't stop me cause YOU'RE NOT THE APRON POLICE! muyaahahaha

And last but not least is my experiment in canning butter (left) or as they say in some circles: making Ghee (right). Super simple. Two different methods. I might have posted a pic of the one on the left recently. I don't remember for sure just right now but if you've seen it..... well, enjoy it again, why don't ya.

I don't know if either method will hold up to long term storage (which is the KEY thing to do right now in our household) but I'll let you know in a few months when I open one up, then again maybe in late Fall when I open the other one. If all goes as planned, I'll put up more of it this coming winter. I know, I know, we aren't even out of this winter yet but we will be soon. Spring has to come sometime soon. I know cause I've seen the marshmallow PEEPS in the stores already....

Until it does, I'm still hibernating but staying busy. This week-end I'll be making a pot of soup so I can try out that hardtack I made. It's hiding in that baseball tin behind the jars. I'll let you know how that works for me. Ya'll have a good night.

** Just stopping back in to edit: I looked at CPC for the Luna scarf and didn't see it there but I know it's over at Craftster's and also at the Leaky-Cauldron. If you're interested, you can just Google it and it'll pop right up. Night again.

Hardtack

2010-02-24T14:21:00.006-05:00

To pick up from my last post - let's get back to the Hardtack; but first....

Setting aside for the future:
Has anyone else noticed how much food costs lately? My local W...mart keep getting more and more costly. 1 1/2 years ago, their brand of green beans was .50 (I save receits). Today, that same can is now .89. Rice, for a small bag was .59 and now it's $1.49! Forget trying to find other brand names on their shelves. They are now few and far between.
1 1/2 years ago my weekly food bill usually ran between $65 - $75; today buying mostly just their brand, my bill runs right about $145- $155 weekly!!
I don't know about you but for me, I'm tired of it. Tired of buying only what they think I should buy and how much I should spend in their store.
Folks, I haven't even mentioned the other items that have to be picked up weekly. Like the stuff in the pharmacy area, tolietries, cat litter and the other non food related stuff! Please, don't tell me to shop elsewhere. I have and I do and will continue to wean myself off of W...mart when I find the specific items I need elsewhere.
Thank goodness my local Sav A Lot and Dollar Tree are still in the business of catering to their customers! Too bad they just don't carry everything I need.
Anyway, getting off my band box now... I am determined to go back to the ways of my youth. No longer will I shop blindly "because I can". I'm going back to a budget, a weekly menu and canning, preserving, making my own mixes and cleansers AND making do! In a word- going back to a more frugal and less dependant lifestyle not only because of food prices soaring sky-high but because that's how we should live. We are an extremely spoiled people and nation. It's time to get back to basics and stop the waste. No, I'm no tree hugger. I'm just "stepping outside of the norm" so to speak. Getting back to being who I am that I forgot all about along the way of life. "Nuff said.
Harktack: I've been wanting to make it for quite awhile. Today was the day I got off my lazy rear and did it. It is the simplest thing in the world to bake - anyone can do it. You can find historical recipes all over the internet which is where I began my research. In midieval days they had a form of it called a treacher. It was used waaay back then as their actual plate or bowl. The food was placed in it to serve, the treacher sopped up the juices and they ate it all. It add more "filling" power to the meal. Later, the pioneers ate it to help fill out their meals on the trails as they pushed every onward West. It kept a very good long time and even the Civil War soldiers carried it and often it was the only thing they had to eat.
So, the first thing I did was choose a flour with nutritional value. I keep several kinds of flour and am very partial to whole wheat. So- duh- no brainer! I used King Authur's All Natural Traditional whole wheat flour mostly because the bag was open in the freezer from a recent baking and it needed to be used. Next time, I will probably use the stone ground wheat I got from a mill up North.
Here's the pics of the hardtack mixed, rolled, cut and poked and finally baked.
It's not quite ready to be eaten/tried yet. They are just out of the oven before I ran up here to post this. They say it gets harder and harder as it cools.
SO, that's my post on Hardtack. I'll let you know how it turned out taste-wise later.
Next time I'll tell you about my butter I canned or possibly the home-made laundry soap I made or maybe about the pickled cabbage I want to get around to trying.

2010-02-24T12:19:00.004-05:00

Just posting a few pics of what I got for Valentine's Day cause they were just too beautiful not to. Chocolate covered strawberries from my Honey. They were truely YUM!

I've been a bit busy lately with preparing for the future and it has taken up a lot of my time and mind.

Yesterday, I tried my hand at canning a jar of butter. I plan to open it up in a few months to see if it's still any good since it's on my pantry shelf and NOT in the fridge. We will see.

Today, I'm headed off downstairs to go try my hand at some hardtack. Yep, just like the pioneers had. This I'm trying only cause I WANT TO AND YOU CAN'T STOP ME !!! hahaha

Crafty-wise: I'm still working on daughter 2's Babette blanket!! But have made several scarves and fingerless gloves this winter. Some I have pictures for and some I don't . So, on my next post, I'll get those pics up.

But for now: off I go to the kitchen. Wish me luck!

C'ville CAL

2010-01-01T19:38:00.005-05:00

I joined a new CAL (crochet along for those of you non-crafters) at Crochetville. Yes, I know, I'm not much of a joiner but this one sounded like fun and I haven't been in a cal since the Grandmother's Flower Garden CAL which was waaayyy back when! Remember my old posts of that afghan?!! Thought I'd never finish it but finally did get it done. So, anyway, here I am again joining another one. This one, at least, is no specific project- just whatever we want to work on for each song that is given. Then by the end of this new year, we will have x number of projects finished for giftgiving or (heaven forbid!!) for US- yea, us, all our own! lol Now for those of you who aren't crafty-ish, that last sentence really is a joke because it is well known that crafters RARELY keep anything they make for themselves.

Anyway, if your interested, you can find the link to Crochetville on the left side of my blog posts under the places I go and blogs I read. It's clicky. When you get to C'ville, the cal is listed under, well..... CAL's and is called Christmas 2010- 12 months of crochet christmas caroling. Each month (I think) will have a new holiday song listed with the words and we get to pick out what we want to make according to something in the song that takes our fancy. It really does sound fun- doesn't it.

I chose to make some fingerless gloves (done to Winter Wonderland). Since I am forever trying to use stash: I made these in regular WW in white for snow and the "snowflake" was cross stitched on top using Needloft cord in a sparkly blue. Since the glove is worked in a spiral, the design looks a bit off. I didn't take that into consideration when I stitched it on. Doesn't matter to me though. I still like them and since I live in fingerless gloves all winter, this is just another pair to add to the group. (I've already made 3 pairs this fall, not counting the ones I still have from previous years.) I just love having warm-ish hands. So without further ado, here's the pic.

Please let me know what you think of them.

I've got a few other projects I want to post but didn't get to take pics of them yet. I hope to do that over the next week when Hubby gets back to work after being off for 2 weeks break.

Until then, I'll see ya later.

2010-01-01T10:53:00.002-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE
Later today I'll be uploading some pictures of projects I've been working on. Some finished, some not. Until then, everyone stay safe, don't eat too much junk watching bowl games and may you and yours be blessed abundantly this year.

2009-11-22T14:09:00.004-05:00

I just made an update-ish comment in that section from the last post. So, if you want to know what I've been doing to get ready for Christmas, you can go there and check. I hope to be posting again after next week. Until then...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY

May your lives, homes and families be blessed with the peace and provision we get from our heavenly Father and may we be forever grateful for all His mercies to us.

2009-11-11T14:48:00.001-05:00

2009-11-10T11:57:00.001-05:00

I'm back. After having lost the computer and having to wait to buy a new one, we are finally back up and running.
Last night I uploaded new pics and today will be getting them into photobucket so I can make a proper post. Until then just wanted to let you know , I'm still alive and kicking.

2009-06-15T20:41:00.003-04:00

Yes, I'm still alive. I've been really busy. Getting ready to leave Thursday to go get the grandkids for their week with the Grands.
I have some pictures to put up but it will have to wait till I get back. Not much. Just some pictures of the floor where they had to replace some of it and my new dishwasher. YES- that's why the floor had to be replaced. We had a leak that only the cat knew about! That right. She would sit in front of the dishwasher and just stare at it. She did it for MONTHS! This is not the first time she has found a leak in the house. She did the same thing then, so, you'd think we'd pay closer attention to her. Well, from now on we will.
Anyway, I'll get real chatty in a week or so when I get back from taking the GK's home. Later, ya'll.

2009-05-07T10:19:00.004-04:00

I know this has been a long time coming but I've been busy. So, here's the month of Marchs'/Aprils' highlights.

Ya'll remember that I went to MS to pick up my sister and bring here back to my house for a weeks visit? Well, here's Martha aka Moy....#4 sister. We are at the rest stop just getting into GA after a long days drive: about an hour from my home. Ain't she sweet! Yep, we were both looking a bit tired by that time, though the food helped.

While Moy was here we made jam from some of her juice that we brought back with us, cause.. well.... that's what Moy and I do when we get together. Doesn't matter what time of year it is...... we WILL make jam. This time it was Red Plum, Golden Plum, Blueberry and Mystery Plum (it was a batch made with the left over juice of all three juices listed above mixed together. It turned out quite tastey.)
So, here's Moy looking good and fresh at the start of the day. Doesn't she look excited to get started!! She's such a happy girl!

We got everything all measured out. It was SOOO much nicer to just already have the fruit juice ready to go and not have to prep all that fruit! Here's the first batch jammin. Red Plum, looks great, right?

HAHA "Fatty, fatty, two by four...." yep, this is me looking really sad and wayyyy to saucy! If I'd known that it was gonna be a picture day, I would have changed my shirt to something that hid all my..um...charms so you folks looking at this picture wouldn't have to suffer so much! But Hey, who cares, right? I was working HARD! I do however, really need to get to work on that gut!! DISSS gusting!

So, here's me taking my turn at stirring, not even bothering to suck that gut in OR pull those shoulders back! Mom would have been so ashamed of me. :)

And here's Moy, taking her turn at stirring. Did I happen to mention that we made about 7 or so batches of jam?!

Here we go: Into the jars! This is the exciting part.

We did this several times that day.

But this is what we ended up with! LOTS AND LOTS OF GOOEY, SWEET JAM. Another jammin' session, well done. Way to go, Moy. We did good. What kind are we making this summer when I come down?

Then:

Martha and her church got involved with the Red Letter Envelope day where they got all these people to address red envelopes to the white house. They were printed with a saying about how each empty envelope represented an aborted baby who would never have a voice in this world. (So Sad - really!) But it was a big event for them. Here she is at her home getting all her stuff for this event ready to bring to my house so we can work on it there. Wait a minute! Maybe she's playing games.....either way, you can see the red envelopes there.

They were going to have an outdoor event and a blood drive at the same time. So, they needed some little pick me ups to pass out for those that gave blood and they could sign their envelope at the same time.

We did the cupcakes while she was at my house. Here she's measuring the vanilla into the cupcakes. They were red velvet, btw.

She mixed:

and mixed.....

One batch is baking here.

But before they baked, she had to get the batter into the cups. She did this about a 1000 times!!!

And here's a bunch already made and (I think) the last batch getting ready to go in the oven! WHEW.

At the end of a loong day, see how tired my poor sissy is. She can't even keep her eyes open!

Sleep good tonight Sis cause we're on the road tomorrow for home!

So at the end of a good busy week in which we did go to a movie cause she hasn't been to one in about a billion years, (don't even remember what we saw but the popcorn was good) we got on the road to take her home. I was so sad but she will return some day.

Well, when we got back to Quitman, I was suppose to go stay with my other sister for a few days but her husband got sick. So, I got to spend a few more days with Moy at her house, where we went and got her many plants to make her a pot garden. It was fun and I had a really wonderful time with my GREAT SISTER.

A few weeks after that, Hubby and I took off for Florida to spend a few days with our very good friends. Hubby fished and K and I planted her garden too. K's Mom also adopted me into their family! ROCKIN ROCKETS! I feel honored!! BUT even with all this excitement, I came home from both places so jealous that I don't have my own garden! The only thing that made me feel better was this....

My white iris FINALLY was white this year, instead of yellow like the last 2 years! That's exciting stuff!

2009-04-06T14:48:00.002-04:00

I'm finally home and today, trying to settle back down to business as usual. I've been in the laundry room most of today! So, in the next few days, I'll be doing an update on the stuff my sister and I did and on my other trip down to Florida that I just got back from.

2009-02-26T09:36:00.003-05:00

Well, I haven't been doing too much lately. I did, as stated in my last post, get a bit caught up in facebook but that's leveled out now and I'm starting to get back into my projects and well, just the day to day living.
The last few weeks, I've started my Amish Friendship Bread Starter again, had my first baking round, got my hair cut again and did a really BAD dye job on it.
First things first (sorry no pics, it's all in the freezer) I took my AFB starter out of the freezer that I had put in there last summer and started it again. It was the first time I had frozen it and it did beautifully. I just brought it back to room temperature before adding the milk, sugar and flour and treating like day 1. This Monday was day 10 and I baked two cakes. One was a chocolate with peanut butter chips and the other was lemon poppyseed. They both turned out so pretty but I forgot to take pictures. I am bringing them down to my sisters for a special "Pastor's Appreciation Dinner" they are having for my other sister who is "the Pastor". So, I can't really give a critique on how those cakes tasted yet. I'll do that after the dinner in the next few weeks. I still had some starter but didn't feel like anymore baking on Monday so I put MY "next batch cup" to the side for the next go round and put the remainder of the starter in the fridge overnight. On Tuesday, I took the starter out of the fridge, let it come to room temp. and baked another cake. All I had left was chocolate pudding so it was another choco. one. I didn't feel really creative, so just added some choco. chips, white choco. chips and the few peanut butter chips I had left over from the Monday baking. I did that baking in 2 loaf pans. I did, however, forget from previous experience, that when I bake this particular bread in loaf pans, that they ALWAYS fall in the center. I don't know why that is! I don't do a thing differently, but that's what happens. I just need to remember to ONLY bake in my bundt pan. So, I'm counting on ya'll to remind me next time! Finally, this last round of "10 days then bake" will be the last time for months and months until I get the yen for some more of this stuff. So, after I get through this round, I'll be freezing another cup of starter for when I want to do that.
Next: BAD HAIR CUT AND DYE JOB As I sit here thinking of this, well there's just no one to blame but myself for either. I knew Linda couldn't cut hair anymore. That's why I quit going to her several years ago in the first place. But go to her I DID. I guess it was just insanity that day. I DO have days like that when the ole remember-er doesn't work!! The only thing that can be done now is to go get it ALL cut off (boy cut like my husbands) or just suffer through and let it grow out long again, which is a pain having it long.....
The dye job..... well, that's a cross between cherry red and I do mean CHERRY KOOLADE RED and some kind of PURPLE!!! What was I thinking? The box said: DARK AUBURN I have used this makers other dark auburn before but this blend was suppose to be with highlights!! Well I'm here to tell everyone: DON'T DO IT. STEP AWAY FROM THE BOX. RUN RUN RUN OUT OF THAT STORE NOW. There, I feel I have now done my part for humanity. I now breathe a sigh of relief that I've warned you all. Now, I'll crawl back into my dark closet and hide until all this mess goes away. It really is embarrasing!
Last but not least, I have finally gotten around to putting up that picture of my January ornament. I hate the picture but love the finished product.... the color of the fabric, the color of the yarns, just everything about it.
It looks SOOO much better in person and the colors really are vibrant and alive. Okay, maybe not your traditional christmas colors but I do like it!

So, just to tell everyone early: "Have a Joyeux Noel" just in case my remember-er isn't working at the end of this year! Enjoy!

2009-02-03T13:39:00.003-05:00

Not much of an update......but at least it's something.

Haven't been doing too much lately. I've had a slew of headaches I've been fighting. Some days are better than others. On those "good-er" days, I signed up and have been having fun over at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ If you don't have anything to do or are already on and need an extra alliance member for your games, send me an invite to: La Mark. Oh, and don't forget to say that you read my blog so that I don't ignore or block you.

On the craft front: I'm still working on my Jan. ornament for my SAL with fortheloveofstitching group at Yahoo. I'm almost finished with it though. It's of the Eiffel Tower and says Joyeux Noel from one of the JCS Christmas mags. Don't remember which one right now but am pretty sure it was within the last few years. I'm stitching it on a bright green Aida and it's looking really SPIFF. I'll post a pic when I'm done. Today seems to be a good day so far so I just might get it finished later tonight.

Other than that there's nothing new. I'm looking forward to a visit to my sisters in early March. I'll be driving down to pick her up and bring her back here for a visit with me. It should be fun. We'll dollar shop, antique look, and probably find stuff- something that we can can. We both like preserving stuff so I'll be on the lookout at the markets for what would be a good choice to work with when she gets here. Just to mention- this will be her first real visit here. She came through with the other siblings last June and spent the night when we all took off for our first family vacation. This year- a family cruise has been mentioned. That would be fun but I do think we wouldn't have much family time together on board. On the other hand, could be that there would be no cruise ship large enough for us to all hide from each other on!!! hahahahaha. Just kidding.

I'll update later when I get my ornament finished. I guess I'll just start another box for these new ones like I did last year. Then I'll sew and finish them all up in the early fall. Later ya'll.

Sweet Potato Rolls

2009-01-25T20:04:00.002-05:00

After battling migrains off and on for the last week and a half, I'm finally getting around to posting this recipe. I had planned to make a batch up and take pictures of each step so it would be a really nice presentation but sorry, I didn't get around to it. So, without further ado.....

Sweet Potatoe Rolls

3 3/4 to 4 1/4 cups all purpose Flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. dry yeast- that's regular and not the quick yeast THOUGH you can use that if you want
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
1 egg
melted butter for brushing tops after baking

Grease some cookie sheets (I use cooking spray). Measure out 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and yeast and mix well. In a pan, heat the milk and 1/4 cup butter until it's very warm (about 120' to 125') Add this along with the sweet potatoes and the egg to the flour mixture. Mix on low speed of a mixer until it all moistened; then beat2 minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in remaining flour to for a soft dough. It will be sticky.
On a floured board/counter top, knead dough until it's smooth and elastic, about 3-4 minutes. Put dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let it rise until doubled in size in a warm place. (about 45-55 min.)
Punch it down several time to get all the air bubbles out and move it to your well floured surface again. Toss it until it's not sticky. Divide dough into 15-18 pieces (I usually make different sizes cause that's how I like it). Shape pieces into balls and put the about 2" apart on the greased sheets. Cover; let rise in a warm place again until doubled in size, about 1/2 hour to 40 min. Heat oven to 375'. Bake about 15 to 20 minutes or until they are golden brown and done inside. Melt some extra butter and immediately upon taking them out of the oven, brush them all over with the melted butter. Move to cooling racks.

This recipe really does well with both the regular yeast AND the quick yeast. I do it both ways. It just depends on how much time I have as to which yeast I use....

If you have any questions just jot me a note here and I'll do my best to answer them. AND if you don't have questions but make these...please post a note anyway and let me know how they turned out for you.

2009-01-14T11:22:00.007-05:00

Okay, here's my Christmas update, finally. We started off the day with partly cloudy skies here in the Atlanta outskirts. It was a fine chilly day when we stepped out back to put the turkey in the smoker.

We didn't do much that day but watch movies and the turkey as it smoked. About 8 hours later, we got to eat. Good thing we'd put that turkey on by 10am! The dinner menu was very simple this year:

Smoked Turkey with Giblet gravy
Cornbread Dressing (EWWW- DRESSING IS EVIL! : see Alton Brown for explaination)
*Brussel Sprouts with Chestnuts, Pancetta and Parsley (minus the sans Parsley)
Stuffed Eggs
Baked Sweet Potato (for hubby)
Wine and More Wine and perhaps just one more glass of Wine *okay, so it was spread out over most of the day AND we still had some in the bottle after dinner!
Pumpkin Pie and Christmas cookies

It was delicious. You should have been here to share it with us. WHERE WERE YA'LL?? Well, anyway, we ate your share and you enjoyed it very much. DO come visit anytime!

The week leading up to Christmas, I was watching Nigella Lawson's show and she did a recipe for brussel sprouts. We LOVE them and I'd planned on having them for our C'mas dinner. Hubby happened to come in the room at that time and watched the show with me!! He thought the recipe sounded wonderful and I agreed so decided to try it. I printed off the recipe from here: * http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/brussels-sprouts-with-chestnuts-pancetta-and-parsley-recipe/index.html It was fabulous! I'd never worked with the pancetta or chestnuts and almost never use wine for cooking but this recipe had so much flavor and goodness- we thought we'd died and gone on to Heaven! If you like B. sprouts this recipe is more than worth a try. I am now planning on making it more often BUT I'll trade out the chestnuts for a differnt kind of nut: next try out, I'll probably experiment with walnuts. But do give this a try if you're feeling adventurous. Oh and I used a Cabernet Sav. for the wine instead of the Marsala that she calls for b'cause I couldn't find it in the store and I already had the CS in the wine rack.

Anyway, here's a pic of the: Chestnuts roasting........ I'd never tasted them before so, obviously I'd never roasted them either. It was really quite simple and they came out of their shells so easily. I did decide, however, that I really don't like them. The taste wasn't my cup of tea so to speak.

When daughter 2 was here with her fiance' : remember, I mentioned they were coming in the last post, she brought with her all manner of "Good Eats" that I have now probably gained another 5 lbs. tasting. The apple tart she made was to die for and the crust was as light and fluffy as any professional baker could ask for, the banana bread was heaven and I don't necessairly even like banana bread but the best part of it was the sugar free/Splenda cookies she made for hubby! Even I, with my taste buds, couldn't tell they were Splenda cookies. They were fabulous and I need to get her recipes. There was no after taste, no dryness or floury/cakeiness to contend with; just light, sweet goodness. Thanks Babe, they were all wonderful.

Look at this georgous (sp?) scarf that my daughter 2 knitted with her own two little hands! I absolutely LOVE it. It's really warm and I love the pattern stitch. I think she said it was Feather and Fan or some such thing. I can't believe that she'd actually take the time to do it just for meeee. I think she did an AWSOME job. The color in the pixie just doesn't really do it justice. It's a LOT more vivid than this show. Oh, and don't ask about the top of another pic at the bottom, I don't know what was up with that!

Yep, Ole Santa really knew that I'd wanted these charts forever, so he finally put them under the tree. I've already started the Autumn Leaves and kitted up the Summer Breeze. The fishing Santa I'll get done for hubby later this year to put on the tree for him. I was excited to FINALLY get these. I'm hoping by my birthday that maybe I'll get the spring and winter ones to go with. I also got the DMC threads that I needed to finish off these charts and the fabric - Aida of course- I just didn't take pics of those.

Last but not least of the crafty stuff, I got some fabric for a new apron I've been wanting and needing to make. I have ruined more clothes than I can spare- so it was time. The two contrasting fabs are for the apron and the red trim is for another Christmas apron I'm planning on making for this year's end (which I also got the fabric for that at a year end sale but forgot to take a pic of it). It's a green background with candy canes all over it.

Hubby got me that new house coat I'd asked for. It's really fluffy/fuzzy and very warm. He also got me 2 new Portugeuse flannel shirts, a sweater and a 3 fold set of peach colored cultured pearls: I'll post a pic of those later. It was a bracelet, earrings and a long necklace that he'd bought a gold clasp for so that I can wear it in many styles and ways. It's a beautiful set. I suppose this is the time to say that our anniversary is the day after Christmas, so sometimes, I get surprised with a bit more goodies.
Last but not least, I just wanted to tell ya'll what a wonderful guy Walker is. I am so glad that he was able to make it here with daughter 2. He is cute, funny and seems to be very well suited to her. He's a go-getter and a hard worker. He has hopes/dreams and it is very apparent that nothing will get in his way of fulfilling his dreams. He will be a dear man/husband to daughter and will provide well for her in all her future needs: attention, love, kindness...you know, the things that really matter. He will really and truely love her, even when she really just needs that kick in the pants. I'm so glad she found a man like that - I got one of those and I'm here to tell you, IT IS SUCH A BLESSING .

So, to you DEAR daughter and future son in law; I leave you with this poem:

Z and W sitting in a tree,

K I S S I N G

First comes love

Then comes marriage

Then comes somebody else with a baby carriage.

My love to you both, Dear Hearts

Oh and next post will be my Sweet Potato Rolls recipe. Someone had asked for that so....... I need to pull it out again and get that posted next. Later.

2009-01-05T11:06:00.002-05:00

Just stopped in for a second. Well, today is finally the day that daughter 2 comes with her fiance'. I'm sure we will love him and I KNOW he will love us! :) She has posted a picture on her blog of her "family" ring if you'd like to look at it: http://fathippycrafts.wordpress.com/ It's the second post down- at this point. I think it's a pretty ring and looks lovely on her finger! She's NOT a frou frou girl and it suits her.

They should be here by 3-3:30 and I'm doing those last minute things people do when they are prepping for someone who's never been to their house before..... like getting those dust bunnies that have finally escaped from under the chairs to the middle of the floor, bathrooms that don't want to shine up and baseboards that are continually black with cat hair!

Tonight's dinner menu: Grilled Rib Eye Roast
Baked Potatoes with Fixin's OR Salad (haven't decided yet)
Stir Fry Veggies: Broccoli, Yellow Squash, Carrots and Zucchini

AND Sweet Potatoes Rolls IF I can get downstairs and get them done in time. Dessert? Well, there's plenty of Christmas cookies left in the freezer seeing how I never made up a plate to snack on. What was up with that, I'm wondering!

Anyway, I did get some new cross stitch charts and a bit of fabric for Christmas. I'll post pics at the end of the week when I get some more time to do that. I think daughter is only staying till Wednesday afternoon.

Gotta run and go get those rolls ready to rise. Have a good day everyone.

2009-01-01T16:04:00.002-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

May you have a blessed and properous year.
Today is hubby's birthday. He is 55!
Yesterday we celebrated by driving into Atlanta and going to see the King Tut exhibit at the Civic Center. It was really good!
http://www.kingtut.org/home

Taking it easy today: watching bowl games, eating pizza, etc. I've just left him downstairs to finish the Michigan State game and I'm on my way in to the sewing room to stick in a movie and stitch. Finally.

I hope everyone has a wonderful relaxing day.

2008-12-29T14:46:00.002-05:00

Okay, Sorry about taking so long to update. I don't have much time right now either. Hubby has been home since the Friday before Christmas week and he's needed my constant attention - just like when my kids were little!! It's been a very trying time. I'm used to having him go to work, call me at 10am and then see him by 3pm. So, needless to say, I'm also used to having my days to myself!! Anyway, he did run to the store for just a second so I'm taking this time to update quickly. No time for the looonnggg post I'd been planning to do, complete with notes so I wouldn't forget to mention some stuff. Oh well, I'll just say here that I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday- whatever you celebrate. I did but now it's time for things to get back to normal! Even though daughter 2 has yet to get up here so we can give her her gifts!! Not her fault...she was in Pennsylvania meeting her new future in-laws! So she's forgiven but she won't be making it up here until next week. Anyway, I already hear the garage door opening so here's the newest updated finished projects- finished, I might add, a few weeks ago. Later.

Here's my very last finished ornament of the year. It's a freebie from Tanya at The Honeysuckle Tree blog. Thanks, Tanya, I had fun stitching this one and it looks great on my tree.

I finally made my very first floss ring tag! I think it turned out really good for a firsty. What do you think?

Back: (those are shadows from the window)

Front:

Daughter 2's newest crochet hat--very bad picture!!

Newest store bought fancy smanchy ornament

2008-12-05T15:53:00.002-05:00

Just checking in for a few minutes. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and didn't eat too much. We were with my family and that hasn't happened since Mom's funeral about 2 years ago. So, it was nice seeing those that I got to see. My oldest sister, Gay, and her husband came up in their RV that we hadn't seen yet. MAN, is that thing NICE! I want one NOW. They also had the cutest new dog, a miniature Yorkie. I'd never seen anything that small in my life! She was really, really tiny and oh, so sweet. Anyway, we had a great time catching up with them too.
Well, hubby just walked in and I know he will be wanting to get on this computer, so, I'll sign off now. I hope to update later this weekend with a few pictures. Later.

2008-11-24T17:36:00.002-05:00

I'm trying to repost this pic cause yesterday when I uploaded it - it was perfectly clear and this morning when I looked at it again it was one fuzzy blob. I'm really hating photobucket lately. Can anyone give me any hints/tips on how to post better pixies useing the photobucket? OR can anyone give me the link to another free website where I can host my pics? Thanks.
Anyway, hope this one is clearer than the previous post.
We will be taking off for my sister's on Wednesday so I won 't be posting till I get back home.
PLEASE have a safe Thanksgiving if you're traveling and enjoy the day with your family and friends. Don't eat too much. I'll do that for ya!!!

2008-11-23T18:24:00.003-05:00

Here's my finish of the day. It's for my sister, Lou, when we get to her house at Thanksgiving. Hope she likes it. I stitched it yesterday and finished it today. I still need to whip stitch the bottom closed but that won't take but a second. I just wanted to get this post done while hubby is downstairs watching the "next" Rocky. Is anybody else sick of the series movie days on tv?
Anyway, I found the chart at http://www.cyberstitchers.com/ Just search for Southern Snowman by Nona Matherne.

2008-11-18T14:07:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving is almost here and I can't wait to smell that turkey roasting! I love it when the house (whoever's it is) has all those delicious smells from roasting, baking, boiling, mixing..... I don't cook like that anymore and can now really look forward to those wonderous smells when someone else does it. We are going to my sister's in MS this year. Hubby and I haven't been back there together since Mom died. So, it's time. He really enjoys his bil and I have such fun and long deep spiritual talks with my sissy#3. AND we laugh and carry on and have a great time. So we are looking forward to getting away to see them.

I've been trying to catch up on a few things lately. Since I found my stitched ornaments, I spent the weekend finishing them up. This first pic is of the last two I did. The penguin is for granddaughter 1. She wanted it done in blue! So she will now have one chilly bird!

This one is for daughter #2. She has two cats that look just like this. Aren't they sweet?! See her blogs here: http://fathippycrafts.wordpress.com/ and here: http://mostlyadventurous.blogspot.com/ but don't tell her I updated my blog cause she hasn't seen this yet. I probably won't send it on it's way until this weekend. I found the chart here: http://kikengrogne.over-blog.com/ . It was a French site. I LOVE french needlework. They are truely the masters of stitchery imho. Anyhow, I wrote: Felix and Fuffy on the back with the date and added some cute little cat paws. I think it's adorable- so there!

These next shots are just the finished ones all together. Oh and in case your superstitious, I do have one more penquin that I didn't get finished up yet. So, I really did do 14 instead of 13.

All together...

This is Brook's crochet Santa purse. So cute. Took me about 2 days to make cause I had to wait for $change$ to go get more white yarn. (worked in regular ole ww- still using stash- well, except for the white!)

Once the ole finger got better from the "cut", I have also made me a super thick ear warmer for camping, a scarflette for Azel, finished lining daughter #1's FFB/added handles and have knitted one more "stinkin" dishcloth! (Man those things are hard to stop doing!) I'll have to add pixies of all these items later. I didn't upload them yet.

As you can see, I've been busy lately. Our visit from good friends K&J fell through (sob, sniffle) so I had to find other things to occupy myself with. (KIM- YOU FELLING GUILTY YET!! Grandkids b-day's are no excuse to cancel comin up here!) I'm just joshin' ya- you know that.

Christmas is right around the corner now and even though I'm not doing much this year, I still have two knitted scarves to finish (remember, I'm a beginner and knit really really SLOOOW) and a few crochet hats and gloves to make. At least I'm not crazy like some people and fret like mad cause "they haven't got things done and here it is the 11th hour!" I'll get it done or not. The cold won't show up too much down in FL before Febuary. So, if it's late, that's okay.

Well, 'nough for now. Later.

-----------------------------------

'Kay- just rechecked this post and I am now absolutely sure that I HATE this new stuff on photobucket that won't do my pixies right! You can't even enlarge them anymore! What's the deal!!!?

Sorry ya'll can't get a good close look at them. The "Amitie" ornie is really cute!

2008-11-11T12:13:00.004-05:00

Okay, since the Spanish Sampler is getting ready to come out with part 5 in the next few days; I am frantically trying to get caught up on it. Remember, this is the one that came on vacation with me to the beach this year and sat in the corner of the bedroom while I was down on the beach or by the pool doing absloutely nothing! So, I remembered about 3-4 weeks ago that I needed to pull it out and get back to stitching. I had just forgotten how much I still needed to do on it!! I had part 1 done and part 2 almost done. So, I have, since mid October finished parts 2,and the two 3's. Part 4 is looking like it's suppose to but I don't think I'm going to get it finished in time for p.5! That means I'll be behind again cause I won't be able to start that part. Anywho, here's a quick pic....

Spanish Sampler parts: 1, 2, 3a/b, and 4

http://periphaeria.com/

I'm also fighting with photobucket lately. It is uploading my photos as HUGE and it won't let me resize them..... any ideas about what's going on---anyone??

2008-10-22T14:37:00.003-04:00

I FOUND MY STITCHED CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS!!!!! I'm a bit embarrassed about where I found them...they were in my closet right in front of my face! I even touched them while looking for them and my mind kept saying- no, that's not them. Boy, am I batting a thousand here or what!!

Hubby mirthlessly laughed when I told him about my last blog post when I "cut my finger 1/2" deep. He pointed out that in that case- my finger was cut off cause it's only about that deep- for real- in depth!. Okay, so I exageratted just a bit- but that cut WAS deep, DID need a stitch or two and STILL hurts! So there- Hubby- take that!

On another note, daughter 2 is having a dickens of a time deciding if she is going to stay in Valdosta and finish her last 2 semesters or just go ahead and try to get out to Colorado. There has been much shouting, fussing, crying/snotting, and hair pulling about this. I have come to decide, that only she can make herself happy and I say " go for it Babe!" Only problem and it's a big one- is money. I hate how life always comes down to money. Hubby and her Dad have both promised to stop all support if she quits school. So, I don't know how she could move. Yet, I have watched said daughter go from being a very self assured, confident, go getter, open/friendly, strong and individual person to a scared, massively depressed, reclusive, never goes anywhere, no confidence or HOPE left type person. I HATE when that happens. I've been watching her go downhill for the last 3 years. I would love to see her get out of there and out to CO to start a life. But I can't even figure out how to tell above hubby that I've changed my mind and agree with her on leaving! That's gonna go over real big when I do- he will probably tell me I can go with her!
(Oh, and I forgot to mention that her BF has put a ring on her finger!! A "family" ring on her finger!! They have no plans for the next 2 years then will decide a date.) which has nothing to do the said move! REALLY she's been wanting to leave since before she even met Walker.
Anywho, anybody have any subjestions on how to get her out to Colorado? What can she do to make money? NO there are no jobs in Valdosta for her. She's been beating the streets for one for 2 years now. NOBODY wants to hire her. Yes, Kim, she's taking those hoops out of her nose when she goes on interviews!
------------
Well, I just wanted to rant for awhile, hopefully no one minds since I'm about the only one that reads these posts anyway. But life has been a tad tough lately and I'm having a bit of a time trying to stay focused.
But now I'm off to go start working on those ornaments and get them finished up. I got one (that wasn't with the lost ones) done yesterday. Will post pixies soon. Later all.

2008-10-17T13:17:00.003-04:00

Okay, last night, while trying to sharpen a kitchen knife, I sliced 3 fingers open. One (my ring finger) was realllllly deep, as in about 1/2"- 3/4" deep. Yes, I bled like a stuck pig but somebody had to finish getting dinner on the stove to cook...... I just wrapped a paper towel around it ( I went through several) before that stupid chili was ready to start cooking. THEN, I called hubby in to doctor me. That in itself was a fiasco!! I probably needed stitches in the ring finger hand but oh well, anyone that knows me knows I pretty much have to go the any doctor at gun point! Anyhow, I am typing this with one hand...yep, the ole pick method.

Craft wise, I am relegated to cross stitch ONLY probably for about 2 weeks or so. Good thing I can do that. I'd go crazy otherwise.

My Spanish Sampler is coming along nicely and I'll post a pic soon.
I've done a couple of small Halloween charts and started a few other Christmas ornaments.
By the way- does anyone know what I did with those other finished ornaments that I had been posting about? I can't find them anywhere. It makes me so mad. I've about torn the house apart looking for them. Please give me some subjestions on where else I can look.... thanks.

I got daughter #2's birthday box of goodies off yesterday in the mail and had crocheted her a cute little french tam with one of my antique buttons for "garnish" and forgot to take a pic of it! I'm hoping she will take the time from school and update her own blog with pics of it....we shall see.

Well, that's all for now. Ya'll have a cocktail, coffee or beverage of your choice to commiserate with me about my poor cut finger. Man, was I really dumb!!!

2008-10-09T14:52:00.003-04:00

Last year, when I first found out #2 daughter was learning to knit, I printed off this pattern:

http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/patterns/archive/2007/06/18/ms-poppins-bag.aspx

the Ms Poppins bag and gave it to her. I told her when she got advanced enough that I wanted her to make this for me. Well, about 2 weeks ago I got a package in the mail with.....

The parts:

I was SO EXCITED! I hadn't expected it and had (after a year) kinda forgotten I'd given her the pattern. So, double the surprise to actually get it from her. MAN, she must really love me! AND it's the perfect time of year to get it too..... all those fall colors!! I got it lined and finished in a day!

So, without further ado...... here's the bits and bobbles of this most amazingly, wonderful present from my "very favorite" daughter.

The lining....funny how this color comes out in this pic. It's actually brown like the purse!

The button 'specially bought just for this purse. It's huge and must have cost a fortune..buttons being what they are now adays. Looks like a poppy seed cookie to me.....ummmm.

TA DA- the finished product. Don't you just LOVE it!! I DO I DO I DOOOO

It's feltable but I won't go that far yet. Maybe some other day when it gets used hard and needs a bath "badly". Then I'll think about that.

Anyway, it is my absolute favorite bag and I'll keep it forever! Especially since I'm soooo hard to please in a good handbag!

2008-09-25T15:24:00.003-04:00

Yes, two postings in ONE day!!! But only because I wanted to post this. I thought it was adorable. Tanya, if you see this, I hope you don't mind if I added a thing or two to it. I really liked doing this but am going to change just a few things. I'll be frogging the "be" to move it to a different line OR adding a small design under the "and be" so the scary won't look so out of place. I had planned to do this while I was stitching it but was on the phone to a friend at the time and just forgot. I also don't like the finger by the eyeballs. It doesn't look like a cut off finger dripping blood and the frog doesn't really look like a frog but I'll probably leave him. I never said I was a designer, folks! But all in all, I like it. Thanks Tanya for the pattern. I enjoyed working it.

http://thesamplergirl.homestead.com/home.html

As stated earlier today, I love Tanya's charts and have done several of them. Go check out not only The Sampler Girl but her blog too while you're there.

2008-09-25T13:31:00.002-04:00

Here's a few project updates:

Three more finishes over the summer. The Blueberry Pickers is so cute. The other two were freebies. The Lazy Days I don't remember where I got that on line but the other is Tanya's over at http://thesamplergirl.homestead.com/home.html I love her designs and have stitched several of them. I have another one to post: EAT, DRINK and be SCARY as soon as I can get a pic of it uploaded. I just finished it this morning while chatting with a friend on the phone.

Got this done just in time to take to the beach. It's actually the second one I did...#2 having taken off with the first one before I could get a pic. I used Inga's pattern at: www.stricksucht.de/anleitungen/crochetbag.pdf It works up really quick while watching TV but the join is a bit fiddly on the last side of the bag. So pay attention so you don't sew it up wrong or your fingers together or some such thing!

The inside lining: I used regular ole ww yarn, Red Heart I think...using up that stash!

Like my pink flamengo drink stirrers?! Got em at the Dollar Tree early summer.

Didn't quite get this finished for the beach but I'll finish it this weekend for (hopefully) next year.

Pic is bottom right. Cott N Tots is what I'm using

And now I leave you with this:

It's taken 2 days after Hurricane Ike came through while we were down in FL. These are the big shells coming back in. Later that afternoon, the smaller shells started coming in too. AHHH to be back there already!!

2008-08-21T22:36:00.002-04:00

Okay, It's been awhile. Just been busy with summer stuff. Haven't taken hardly any pics to post of my projects so decided to give you new yard pictures to gaze at until I can get some others to post. So, on with the show....
This peewee was only about the size of my hand. Not enough meat there to make turtle soup!! HAHAHAH snort dribble..... just kidding. snicker but ain't he cute! He crosses my yard about once a week. Just adorable.

This rat - one of MANY gave us fits at our feeder, so , he went from this:

to this.....

Nawww we took him down to the local pond and released him there. This time of year, he probably had too many worms to eat him. Too dang skinny anyway!

This is Guy - just because he looks like one.

Bumble- oh, and my friend, Kim, gave me that pretty plant. Wasn't she sweet! Thanks, Kim (waving wildly)

What are these things??? No, the first isn't a Robin or an Oriole.....

and this..... I named him Godzilla. He's huge and flies around me every morning while I'm outside trying to have coffee.

He's too fast, he's too fast, HE'S TOO FAST FOR MEEEEE....

Now, somewhat of an update on projects......

I've done more than this on my Spanish Sampler but this is the only pic I've taken since just after I got home from TN and started this part. I'm working this one really slow now cause it's the one I'm taking to the beach in a few weeks so I'll have something to work on at the pool.. Hehe... get it. I'm going to the beach to spend time at the pool! duh oh, okay. I'll quit now.

I'm learning to knit and have made a bazillion of these already. It's enough to make a person quit and take up a new hobby! I guess maybe it's time to branch out and try a new pattern or stitch or something.....

Last but not least is #1's blanket that she gave back to me LAST YEAR so I could add to and make it fit a king size bed. I HATE THIS THING I NEVER WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN! EVERRRRR but it's done.

2008-07-06T12:11:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been busy and the grandkids have been here this week. Will be taking the home tomorrow, then I'll be back later this week and will update then . See ya'll later. Have a good Sunday.

2008-06-04T13:37:00.003-04:00

A quickie update here:
I've been off doing stuff for the last few weeks....vacation with the family was interesting yet very good. A fun time was had by all. Will update that soon.
Have had company for the last week and also had a great time. The menfolk took off for Ohio so we women lived on lemon humus, pita bread, Port Salut and fresh Edam cheese (mighta been Gouda- we had a bit of wine!) strawberries, blueberries and Dove triple chocolate ice cream bars. Didn't cook a crumb or clean a lick until just before they (men) got back. Might update on that a bit more too, soon.
Have just printed off part 2 to the Spanish Sampler at Periphaeria's so will start that soon. I'm late and know everyone else in the SAL is probably done or close too being done but that's a night project and I WILL get it done before the next part comes out.
Anyway, I'm trying to catch up on laundry so off I go. In the meantime, enjoy this elephant I found in the woods on our last camping weekend, I think, in November'07.

2008-05-09T00:17:00.002-04:00

Finally had just a minute to post this finish of part 1 to the Spanish Sampler found at Lady Periphaeria's : http://www.periphaeria.com/. Will wait patiently for part 2 only because I have to. I'll be on vacation with the siblings when it comes out next week and will have to wait till I get home to get it and get started on it. But that will be a really nice surprise to come home to. Anyway, here's the pic. Enjoy.

2008-04-28T15:23:00.002-04:00

We've been (well...he's been) painting the upstairs for when the family comes in May to spend the night before we go on our sibling vacation. Must admit I'm rather looking forward to it. Though, I think the real reason is just that I've been so restless lately. I just want to go all the time. Most of that due to the fact that I never leave the house except on Fridays to go grocery shopping. While I'm a gal that can live quite well alone doing my own little things, I do get lonely sometimes. Yes, there it is.... I've admitted it. Anyway, I'm looking forward to Tennessee in May. Lou's peppiness making us all tired just watching her, Don's humor that will keep us all in stitches, Moy's cooking and gentleness, Diane's ornary-ness making us all want to wrestle her on the ground and pull hair and Gay's absolute love of us all- in all our ugliness- yep, she's the one that keeps it all together and makes it workable. Oh- we also call Gay the politician.....
Anywho, I don't have any pics to update this post. I haven't downloaded them on the puter yet. So, I'll just give somewhat of an account and you'll just have to trust me.....
Finished part 1 of Spanish Sampler, waiting for the next one to come out
Finished 2 Christmas ornies: penguins from Shona's place http://shonasplace.greycastle.net/Crochet/MyPatterns/mygraphs.html
will be starting one of the hamster's for daughter #1 since she has those animals.
Worked some on the Bitterest flower. I haven't posted any pics of that yet, have I?
I also cut me out a dress for the summer to wear around the house. They are so much cooler than shorts. It's about half done and I'll probably finish that tomorrw. But you'll never see the pic of that cause my sewing's not that good.
Well that's the update for the day.

2008-04-15T13:34:00.002-04:00

I've had to put my Spanish Sampler away for a bit because I promised #1 daughter at Christmas that I'd make this purse for her BF's daughter's birthday the first of May. So, here it is done. YEAH!!!! The front:

Don't ask me why it looks so funky. It doesn't look this bad in person! Really! So much for our expensive camera. I wonder how those disposable digital's work? Might be worth a try.......

Here's the inside:

Just a simple pocket for her pens/pencils/cel phone, etc.....

I hope this is the last pirate purse I have to do. I've made 3 now and usually only work any pattern 1 time, so, I did pretty good. Now, to mail it.

I have managed to get about 10 min. stitching on my Spanish sampler today too, now that the purse is done. I'm waiting on the air conditioner guy to stop by and check the new system out so I should be able to get in a bit more stitching.

Roasted Pork loin roast for dinner tonight. Mashed potatoes, some sauerkraut or broccoli. Haven't decided that part yet.

Spanish Sampler

2008-04-01T21:19:00.005-04:00

I've been meaning to post this but with #2's car wreck and then having to rush hubby to the hospital for kidney stones, I just really haven't had time to even upload it from the camera to computer. But here is my progress so far:

Second one.

I don't know if you can tell, but I've had to frog some right in the center and the last 1/2 motif far right will also have to come out! I'm off by 1 stinkin' stitch. Figures, my eyes aren't what they used to be! hehe But, hey, it can happen to the best of us. Anywho, I'm working this on Aida 14ct. cause that's all I can see anymore. I'm using pretty much the same colors she subjested but will probably change the colors around a bit on this part of the band design.

This sampler is a SAL from Lady Periphaeria found at: http://periphaeria.com/

Thank you M'Lady if you're reading this!

I'm loving this design so far. I can't wait for the next band but I really do appreciate the fact that it is bi-monthly. As impatient as I get for the next one, right now I still have so many other projects in my rotation that this way works for me.

Oh, sorry about the pics. They sure come out online looking really bad even though we have a very expensive camera. What's up with that!!? At least, if you click them, they look better.

HAPPY EASTER

2008-03-23T22:06:00.002-04:00

Hope everybody got their fill of Peeps, Robin Eggs and Chocolate eggs.

We didn't go to too much trouble today with food since it was just hubby and me. Lunch was leftover Chinese from last night and dinner was leftover steak, broccoli, scallops.
I would have done a better dinner but we had been on the road all day Saturday going to and from Valdosta to take daughter # 2's new car to her.
Yes! That part is finally done. She now has a 2007 Hyundai Sonata, black, very pretty. We forgot to take a pic of it though!

HAPPY SPRING

2008-03-20T17:07:00.002-04:00

Yes, Spring has sprung in Georgia. This is the only color I have in my yard, though. Camellia- Kramer Supreme. In honor of my Mother who's name was Camellia and my Dad who loved her so much that he spent a life time growing, grafting, and showing these at many flower shows. He won many, many ribbons. I remember when the old hot house got too small for all of the yearlings that he just built another- bigger- much bigger.
Mom and Dad are both gone now- I miss them soooo much- but many of those same Camellias I knew and loved as a small girl survived the devastation of hurricane Katrina. My sister who has the old house said they were glorious this year and still are, seeing they bloom at different times.

Here's the newest ornament finish. A freebie I am almost sure I got at The Sampler Girls site but it isn't listed in the freebies right now..... I know it's still out there in cyberland though. I changed just a few things on it to suit myself.

Once again, HAPPY SPRING ALL.

2008-03-16T13:20:00.002-04:00

Here's the 2 newest finishes. Both Dragon Dreams. The Knight is from the JCS Ornament 2000 issue and I'm not sure which issue the dragon is from but it IS from JCS Ornaments.
Oh, and MARY check my reply about that other chart you were asking about.
I also want to appologize for my very bad spelling in the last few posts. I usually check before publishing but got interupted at the time. Yes, it does matter to me. I hate making written mistakes- though we all do.

2008-03-16T12:58:00.003-04:00

I found some other finished pieces, minus framing/finishing. I guess it pays to clean closets....sometimes!
This is a freebie I got on line but must have deleted the site from my list cause I can't find it now. BUT it's called Tati ville. I'd love to give the designer the credit, so if you know who did it, let me know and I'll add her link here. This one is for my mud room which I am slowly getting rainy day pics done for. I just thought rainy stuff would be appropriate for that area of the house. Note the umbrella...

2008-03-15T11:36:00.002-04:00

Just a quick update while I'm already logged on.
It's been a busy month with #2's breakup from BF on Valentines day. What slime he was for doing that...up to that point, I had actually liked him! Then she got in a car wreck- NOT HERE FAULT. A woman pulled out in front of her. Cars totalled and guess what we're shopping for now?! Go see her pic of car here http://fathippycrafts.wordpress.com/

Well, on another note, I've stated the new Spanish Sampler mystery at Lady Periphaeria's http://periphaeria.com/community/news.php She put up the first part of it last night early for those of us who just couldn't wait anymore. That was soooo sweet of her. I had finally managed to finish gridding my fabric last week so was able to get started stitching last night. I didn't get too much done, just the center portion of the chart but plan to stitch today since I'm stuck doing laundry. I'll post a pic of my progress in a few days to let you see how it's coming along.

Update on other stitching:
The Blueberry Pickers are over half done. I'm working on my last little girl and already have one of her arms done.
Gay's Flower Sampler: I've started the individual letter blocks now. I'm on "A".
Christmas ornaments: I stitched a Dragon Dream one for Brook and also DD am almost done with "Oh Holey Knight".
I am 1/2 done with one of the Prairie Schooler house designs.

When I finally get some new update pics taken and posted, I'll have the info on what books I got the patterns from.

Well all, since the sky is about the flood open with the thunder/lightening thing... it's time for me to shut this compter thingy down for a while.

2008-02-07T21:59:00.000-05:00

Here's my latest finish for February. It's a Lizzie Kate freebie. I still have to sew a button/charm onto the center of the cup but didn't have anything holidayish or cute in my stash. I'll have to look for something next time I'm out but it looks okay like this too. It's just plain without something to decorate the cup up.

Here are my January ornaments. I told you about them before. These are the ones that were in various stages of being finished. This first one needed the very bottom of the ball design added and two of the larger center section flowers put in. There.... right above the year....

This one was from an old Celebrations magazine. I only had his right arm by the bird left to backstitch and put in the year!

And here are all three:

2008-02-07T21:32:00.001-05:00

Here's a pic of my last finish for '07. I will go ahead and say that this is the only finish for about 2 years..maybe 3. Since I had set my stitching aside and gotten back into crochet for several years. So, this is a Prairie Schooler chart that has been my "to go" project for about 2 years. I would take it with me to the doctor, traveling, etc and work on it just a bit each time. It sat around for probably about 9months when I pulled it out after Christmas and saw I only had 3 windows and a few vines to backstitch in. SHEESH!! What was up with me?!! I literally finished it on New Year's eve just a few hours before the New Year started. Enjoy and yes, they are clicky.

2008

2008-02-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

I have really been getting kinda sick of my crochet. I mean, come on people, I've been doing pretty much nothing but crochet for the last 3 years. Ghans, purses, scarves, etc... I'm really just tired of it all. There's nothing new I want to do and I need a break. I know, I know, I still have that Babette blanket promised for #2 daughter but I told her up front that it would be literally "forever" before I got it done so she KNOWS and I have that other pirate purse promised for #1's BF's daughter for her b-day in May and I'll get that done- eventually. I still have to put a new border onto 1's Grandmother's Flower Garden because I CAN NOT TOLERATE doing 1 more hex!!! So, I'm just going to start a dc border around it all and I DON'T CARE what it is going to look like. I just DON'T CARE!!! Though, it really should look okay.
Anyway, I have just started getting back into my stitching and have set a goal for myself this year. I need new ornaments for the Christmas tree IF I plan on putting it up anymore, which I do. So, I plan on having by the end of the year at least 12 ornaments finished and ready for the tree or giving as gifts, decorating presents with, etc....... Doesn't matter if I do one a month or 5 a month, just as long as the 12 are done by mid Dec.
So far, I have managed to finish 2 and almost done with 1 more. I'll post pics of them, probably later today/tomorrow. I'll do all the finishing/sewing them all into ornaments all at one time. Easier that way.
The two I've finished stitching are admittedely 2 that were started a few years ago and got put away when company came to visit, then I couldn't find them again until this Jan. But find them I did and they were in different stages of being done. So, I finished them. YEA! This third one is a Lizzy Kate: Cozy Christmas Wishes. I'm changing the pattern to have only one cookie on it, cause, well...... I'm on a diet. No point in stitching 2 big fat ole cookies on it to tempt me further. I mean... who doesn't "snack" when they stitch??? I'm almost done with this one and the 4th one I plan on is a Dragon Dreams one from one of the JCS Ornament issues. I'm pretty sure I'll be stitching the one with the knight. Right now I can't remember which issue it's in- that's in my sewing room- or the exact name of the chart but it has something like: silent knight or o holy knight...... It's cute.
So, that's what I'm gonna be doing this year and it's been easy to get some of these little ones done. Remember, in Dec. I did start my oldest sissy an alphabet flower sampler which is coming along nicely. I'll try and post a pic of that too, if you're interested.
Last but not least, for those of you that know me and know that my husband calls me "MaGoo", yes, you remember right, that's him... as in Mister....... I only stitch on 14 or 11 ct. I just can't see anything else at this point and I'm not ready to stop stitching forever. So, I've just relegated myself to the larger count fabs and call it a day. It still gives me mucho enjoyment and it doesnt' matter if you don't like the look of my stuff cause it's not being done on your prissy 3000ct fab. LOL I'm just happy that I can still stitch cause, come on, what's life without stitching?

2008-01-22T18:29:00.001-05:00

Just updated my links of places I go if anyone's interested.
Check some of them out if you've got the time.

2008-01-21T12:18:00.001-05:00

There's a lady on C'ville that wants to make this chart into a shawl. So, I thought I'd post here of how I used it. This is going to be a sissor/needle case with a mini pin cushion. I used DMC 666 and Krienik (sp?) metallic #4 silver braid. It turned out sooo pretty and the pics don't do it justice but none the less, I love it.
Yes, they are clickable.

Oh, and I forgot to add that I got this chart at about.com in the crochet area. It's a filet chart.

2008-01-12T12:12:00.000-05:00

One more pic today. Here's my beautiful daughter #2 with her new book- a gift from me- her loving mother. Book given Christmas '07 so she will always be able to keep herself warm and clothed in grannies. Oh, did I happen to mention how very clever and beautiful this girl is?

2008-01-12T12:08:00.000-05:00

Here's daughter #2 learning to make her first granny square! I am sooo proud! My girl is just brilliant! And here's another shot. Clever, clever girl!

Check out her crafting blog: http://fathippycrafts.wordpress.com/

2008-01-12T11:54:00.000-05:00

Here's the inside of daughter #1's pirate purse. Isn't the fabric really cute!? Here's another inside shot showing the pocket.

AND here's the outside, final, finished bag. Yes, I know that it's slightly off center, but none the less, I am pleased with it and so was she. So there!!!! :)

Her boyfriend's daughter has now asked for one for her b-day in May. So, I have committed to making one more. This next one I'll do in black with a pink pirate.

Testing

2007-12-22T20:38:00.001-05:00

Another Christmas present

2007-12-04T10:43:00.000-05:00

While watching Lonesome Dove last weekend with the Hub, I remembered that #1 daughter had asked me this summer to make her a purse just like I had made #2 daughter. So, I pulled out the (YES) acrylic in black and white and started a skull purse for her. I got it finished up yesterday and will be working on the lining today. I'll post pics later for all to see. I think it turned out just as well as #2's.
I have finished a gift for daughter 2 also but can't talk about it cause she might pop in here to check things. Wouldn't want to give the surprise away now would we!! ;)
I have also started a new cross stitch sampler for my oldest sister for her birthday in Feb. It's a flower sampler from a book I got at Goodwill (Better Homes and Gardens Cross-Stitch Samplers, copyright 1986) and it is suppose to be for her new flower/planting shed that they built after Katrina came through. I haven't seen it yet but am hoping that I can get this sampler finished before I go visit sister #3 in mid Jan. so we can drive to Gay's one day to see the shed and give it to her. If not, then I just may have to plan another trip down there in Feb. to give it to her.

2007-12-01T19:13:00.001-05:00

Close up of Moy's shawl.

Moy's shawl

2007-11-27T20:17:00.001-05:00

2007-11-20T16:09:00.001-05:00

P.S. I forgot: I finished Moy's ripple Shawl.

Still trying to figure out how to get pics out of camera, onto computer, then to photobucket so I can post them here. When I do figure it out- I'll have lots of pics to post!!!

2007-11-20T16:04:00.000-05:00

LOOK WHAT MY BABY DID!!!!!
http://mostlyadventurous.blogspot.com/
See Friday, Nov. 16 post.
She's sooooo talented and has a wonderful eye for color. AND this is her first quilt.

Updates on my projects:
Crocheted a new hat, a scarflett when we went camping, and worked a bit of crossstitch on Bitter Flower.

Project Update

2007-10-29T11:27:00.000-04:00

Just a quick update on projects:

-Rae's stinkin' Grandmothers Flower Garden quilt- still making hexes. I have at least made most of the colored flowers (only 2 more to make) and am concentrating on the black ones for the filler part. I can't believe 2 years later I'm still having to add to this. I hate, hate hate it!!! I won't ever do another pieced crochet quilt again!! EVER
- Moy's shawl is about half done now and looking mighty fine. She is going to love it and I sure hope that it will be very warm for her. This is the one listed in my last post worked with the Light N Lofty.
- I made myself a quick beanie hat to wear camping this weekend and really need to start on another pair of fingerless gloves. Otherwise, my fingers are going to freeze. I can't find any of the hundreds of others I've made in the past years.
---------
Projects I've recently found that need to go in a rotation:
Crochet
- Brooks' pink ripple blanket
- Billys' kitten in a row blanket
- my tapestry crochet horse totebag
- a Barbie dress I started for Brook

Cross Stitch
- Dragon Dreams- Element dragons
- the Dragonfly I started for Kim

I need to actually sit down and decide what I need to get finished for Christmas gifts this year and get er done!! Hmmm- definitely the shawl and Barbie dress. I need to finish those for sure and start more Barbie clothes. Barb can't just have 1 new dress this year. Azel also wants some kind of purse to carry her cel phone, pencil stuff in. So, maybe I'll start that while we're camping this weekend since I'm making it out of nylon. If it gets dirty camping- it can be washed with no hassels.

Apples

2007-10-25T13:03:00.000-04:00

#2 daughter, her boyfriend and I went to the Apple Festival in Ellijay on the 13th. We had a great time though we didn't stay all day. That was fine with us since she and I had gone last year. I got my apples for my apple butter and put that up this week. It turned out GREAT as always. I think I make the best Apple Butter in the world!!
I'm working on a shawl for my middle sister right now. It's from a free flyer I got at Walmart. I'm crocheting it in RH Light & Lofty Cafe au Lait. It's some kind of wavy pattern- I don't remember the name and the pattern is downstairs. But it's working up very quickly and turning out very pretty. This L&L is very thick and is going to be warm for her. I added extra stitches to make it longer since she's a tall, broad shouldered woman. It should fit her fine. Speaking of fine-- I even wrote a stupid poem to send to her when I get this shawl in the mail. Wanna hear it?-- well, okay.

This shawl is made with love for you
So you won't ever have to be blue.

Wear it at home to keep you warm
When winter decides it wants to storm.

Wear it out, they'll say you look fine
Then they'll try to buy you wine.

Then your shawl they'll try to take
You may just have to burn them at the stake.

Just shout "NO, This treasures MINE
Made just for ME from a sister of mine.

Keep your wine you stinkin' skunks
You won't ever see me drunk.

I'm keeping my shawl just for myself
Go get your own, you naughty elfs. (yeah, I know but it fit)

It makes me happy so I won't be blue
It keeps me warm when I'm at the zoo.

I'll love it forever, It's mine, it's mine
Made just for me from a sister of mine."
-------------------
Then I have this last line but haven't decided yet if I should add it. What does everybody think? Let me know.
-------------------------------------------

She'll love me forever, I know she will.
I just hope she won't send me a bill.

Well, I know it's dumb but she'll get a real kick out of it. She does have a sense of humor after all. AND even if she doesn't like the poem, she will still love the shawl cause I made it for her.
While I'm still on the subject of her, I taught her to chain, single crochet and half double crochet, last time I was there. She caught on real quick and started making herself some dishcloths with some cotton I gave her. I talked to her a few weeks ago and I think she's hooked on crochet now!! I had to make up another box of cotton so she could make some more cloths and mail it to her.

If I ever figure out how to get my pics out of my new digital camera and get then get them somewhere where I can upload them- I'll add the pic of her shawl when it's done.

2007-06-28T19:55:00.000-04:00

Good Grief! Can I actually believe my eyes that it's been April since I posted?!!!

I've been a bit busy with grandkids here for the summer and the prep of....
Last Gkid will be here next weekend, so look for a long post after that. I assume she will stay for at least 2 weeks. Since she's the last one to have her time here, and since she's the one I get on best with, I don't usually rush her out the door. She and I get along great. The others are great but Zel and I just seem to be on the same page.

Not much in the way of projects finished since April but I have made progress on many of them. Will update later.

I did sew myself a few summer dresses, 3. But none of them fit! What a pain! They were either too big or too small. Guess that's what I get for being in a rush to get something done before the kids got here.

That's all for now. If you have time; go see what Beck is doing with her afghans. Wow! That girl sure has it- talent and time. She's something else.

2007-04-11T11:51:00.000-04:00

Well, NewComer's Collegium has come and gone. It was a big hit. Essyelt outdid herself in the planning and organizing. I think this is the first year that everything ran smoothly. Things were set up that morning very quickly and all the classes started on time. We had a hitch in that a few of the teachers got sick and couldn't make it but Essyelt had even planned for this and had backup teachers ready.
The fighter's had an awesome day on the field and the rapier figher's also tore up their opponets. All were worn out at the end of the day. All in all, an excellent event.
Last weekend was Fool's War down in Macon. Yes, I went even though I had no idea how long I'd be able to stay. You see, the weather (as always when I attend this particular event) was doing it's own thing. After all, it is Spring, people. Last year, I high tailed it to Tifton to see #2 daughter because there were tornadoes on the way. This year, the temperatures were down in the 20's at night!! I did manage to spend Friday night on site and up till about 4pm the following day and had a lovely time. Well, except for the wind blowing cold the entire time. That wasn't pleasant. Anyway, I had gone back to my tent around 3pm and people were already tearing down to go home. Upon asking what they thought they were doing-- I was told that the temperature for Sat. night was suppose to be 20'. Well, after having slept the night before in 23' temps. I just really didn't want to do that another night. Though, with the new sleeping bags, I slept very warmly, my face was frozen all night, not being able to sleep with it under the covers (can't breathe that way), the biggest complaint was that I FORGOT MY EAR PLUGS. Stupid mistake on my part. The firepit had been brought in AFTER I set up my tent and it was placed directly IN FRONT OF me!! I just HATE when that happens and will probably not camp with our group anymore just because of it. Don't get me wrong, the folks are all friendly but some of the younger whipper-snappers must have been born in a barn. All they know is one level of talking- LOUD. Doesn't matter that it's 4am and there are people trying to sleep- they just don't care. I'M OLD. I NEED MY SLEEP- folks!! :)
So-- projects:
-I have finished my red dragon with the metallic silver background. I have plans to sew it into a small project/sissors case. I am almost finished with the 2"x2" matching pin cushion. That, I will sew a short ribbon on to loop around my sissor hole. Should be pretty sweet when it's done. I have absolutely got to get a digital camera so ya'll can see all my project stuff.
-Harry Potter still only has one side of his head with hair but I did manage to finish his robe and he's now dressed at least.
-I really can't remember what else I've finished off but I know there was something......it just escapes me right now.
-I am making progress on the Prairie Schooler autumn village, the french weather calendar, dragonfly and now almost finished with the PS Tend Your Garden sampler. I put the Peppermill Farms one away again...sigh... I guess it's just going to be one of those life long projects!
-Last but certainly not least, I have been looking for another charity to do something for. I've been looking at premmie baby stuff. There's a lot of seemingly good groups out there doing lots of good work. So, I printed out a dress pattern for a bitty one and am making it to start a box for donations. I'll find some other patterns, get stuff made, add to the box and send it out when it's full. I'll decide who it goes to later. I'd like to send it somewhere closer to home.

On a final note: Crazy Aunt Pearl (see link at left) has been having some smelly issues as of late. She's such a pip! Funny girl. And if you have time, go check out Beck's new Dobby afghan. Pretty cool. MAN that lady is talented!

2007-03-20T15:50:00.000-04:00

Life's a funny thing. We can go through all sorts of trials and tribulations and still come out strong. For those that don't know me, I'm a christian- born again. God has a way of doing that to us as we seek His face and postrate ourselves before Him.
Our lives can be a rollercoaster but with Yahweh, HE makes everything alright.
Don't ask me why I write today. It's just one of those days that someone I don't even know - except for his name- seems to be low and sad. For whatever reason, my Father has laid this man on my heart to pray for. I seem to think of this person at the oddest times and feel the need to pray for him. So, I do, whatever his need or situation(?)- only God knows that but interceeding for someone other than self is a good thing. For my Father knows of my need- which frees me to interceed for others.
It is a sad thing that so many people are without hope in life when there is hope in God. Without hope- we perish. God is our hope, our life, our all. What more do we need!
I have struggled hard these last few months with one thing on top of another...Jimmy's brain surgery and now precious nephew, Jonathan on life support fighting to hold on. I'm still not even over the loss of Mom last September and it just seems like it's just one thing on top of another. But ya know what? I haven't given up and I won't ever because I have a mighty Father that is more than capable of holding me up and taking care of everything. God is the strength of my heart and the lifter of my head. As long as I put my faith and trust in Him, I won't ever crawl on my belly again. That old person that I was, died and I'll never be the same again. I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed!
So, Raymond the Scot, I say to you: Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Prov. 19:21

2007-02-22T10:23:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update: Stop by Beck's Blog (left side link) and check out the afghan she did. WOW That lady is very talented! She took a pic of her son, turned it into a graph and worked it up in his school colors. It's incredible- the likeness.

I've finished several projects lately while still confined with hubby.
I've managed to finish 2 purses, free pattern from a flyer I got at Michael's. I also finished a book bag for #2 daughter. I used a skeleton graph I found in a post at craftsters.org for the front and worked up a saying "Ye, Intruders Beware" (from the movie Goonies when Mouth is reading the map up in the attic) for the back of the bag. I then put it in Babelfish and used the English to French translation (cause she took French in high school). I embroidered this on the back using a chain stitch. I'm not real crazy with how that part came out but there's too much work in it to try to frog it. So, it's staying. Anyway, it's still cute and since she probably won't use it anyway- it works for me. She just bought herself a digital camera so when she figures out how to use it, maybe I can get her to take a pic and post it on HER blog since I don't have a camera yet. I'll let you know.
Hubby and I have been looking for one (camera). Do you know that there is now one that's sort of like a disposable camera?!! I thought that was pretty cool. I mean, if you have no need to buy a good one cause you just aren't the type of person to take pictures but you just want one for maybe a vacation or special occasion like a party (kids, graduation, etc..) then I think it's a great idea for them to come up with something like that. I bet the pics wouldn't be so great though.
Anyway, getting back to projects, I have been finding all over the house, cross stitch projects that got started and then put away for whatever reason. I've pulled out what I have found and have started a rotation to try to get some of them finished. I'll post a list of what they are later so I can try to list my progress. One project (started that got put away) is Eomer from LOTR. I had found the pattern on the shipofdreams site quite some time ago and since I had already finished and framed up Haldir (from the same site) about a year ago, I had started the latter for #2 to go with it. My plan was to eventually do all the patterns I had accumulated from LOTR as a set (I have several of the characters). Getting back to Eomer, I am looking for him to put him in my rotation too but so far- he is eluding me. I'll find him sometime though and get started back on him. Never fear!
I also have started a set of Dragonflies for a good friend down in Florida. It's from a new chart I bought at Michael's 2 weeks ago. Yes, I actually BOUGHT a new chart!! Kim loves dragonflies and has redone her spare bathroom in them. It looks very classy and fabulous! VERY CLASSY indeed! The d-flies she has in there are real looking not cartoonish and the 2 prints hanging on the wall were photographed by a neighbor of hers that is a photographer so you know they are quality. I know she won't hang this set of 3 that I am doing for her in there but she will hang them somewhere! I'll also post the name of the chart I'm using later just in case you want to know.
I've been doing a lot of sewing lately for our Shire's (Owl's Nest) Gold Key. We were such a little group for so long and since we are growing big - quickly, we needed loaner garb. Our NewComer's Collegium is next month and we needed to have some ready for that. If you want to go check out the latest news on Bad Thomas, here's the link, look under Life around the Shire/ Thomas has aroused Baron Cathal.....Our Thomas is sooo BAD!!!! (chuckle, he just kills me! His favorite saying: MINE!)
http://www.asbrand.com/owlsnest/bbs/index.php

Well, I guess this wasn't such a short update after all. Until next time......

2007-02-02T21:38:00.001-05:00

Well, just, YEAH. I finally figured out how to add the comments button!Now everyone can let me know what I need to add, change, etc.. about my blog.

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A quick update: I finally gave Harry all his appendages and he now has a fully functioning body. NO! Don't go there! He still needs hair and embroidered facial features plus scar and I need to find some glasses for him. I was actually thinking of making some out of some wire that I have left over from other projects. I'll keep thinking about it and decide later.

I've managed to finish tonight a purse I started before hubby's brain surgery. It's a free tear off pattern from Michael's store when I was in there around Christmas. Brown, with fuzzy-ball things in the contrasting yarn. I'd go get the labels but they're in the other room and I'd have to get up, so I'll post what kind of yarn that is that I used later. Anyway, instead of the suede yarn that it called for on the body of the purse, I used Wool-ease, 2 strands held together to kind of mock the thickness of the suede that I didn't use. It looks really cute and the only other thing I changed was to add D rings for the purse handles instead of sewing them directly to the purse. I lined it in the cutest fabric that I bought at Walmart. It, the fabric, is Pink Panther with a brown background and various other hues of pink in it. I am pretty pleased with the results but of course, the real test will be when I actually use this purse. If it doesn't function right then it will probably get passed off to someone that needs/doesn't need it. :p)

Another project that I finished today is a bodice made for my Shire. There is also a skirt to go with it that just needs the hem put in. I will probably get that finished up tomorrow. The set will probably go into a raffle basket for our Newcomer's Collegium in March. I still need to make a pouch to go with it and some kind of head covering. NO, none of this is crocheted- it's sewn. While I am by no means a seamstress- I can carry a pretty good load in this department having made several of my own historic garments. Course, I'm not saying that they're perfect but I do get compliments on the 16thC. Flemish EVERYTIME I wear it.

Well, that's all for now 'cause it's getting late.

2007-01-24T19:24:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to finish off some old UFO's that I found while cleaning closets.
One is a cross stitch pic of Peppermill Farms that was started way back in ...? When I pulled it out, I could see that I had half of it done already so there was no reason not to work on it.
Since hubby is recovering from brain surgery, I pretty much am staying close to home and only running out to the store around the corner when needed. That means, I'm going to have plenty of time to finish stuff OR start more stuff, which ever comes first.
Did I happen to mention that I started crocheting a Harry Potter doll?! He's more than half done already in the last 2 days. He still needs one leg and his 2 arms. I found him at: http://www.angelfire.com/on/aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh/wizard.html . I couldn't find the link for this lady's home page. He's really cute even though mine doesn't look as cute as this lady's.
I'd like to add Ron and Herm. like Beck did over at her blog http://peskypixie.blogspot.com/ . If I remember correctly, she also has done a Prof. Flitwick. You'd have to check her archive for last year. I've been mulling around in my head of maybe trying to work up a Haggrid pattern. Heck, I've been crocheting for years! There's no reason I couldn't make some of my own patterns, well.... that is except that I can get a bit lazy at times and easily befuddled in my poor little ole brain.
Anyway, getting back to Harry, I hope one day to get a digital camera so I'll be able to post pics here. Hey, maybe by that time, I'll have him finished or maybe even the whole gang!!!

Peppermill Farms just could possibly do another bout in the closet (a different one this time) if hubby gets back on his feet quickly. It certainly seems a miracle that he even survived that kind of surgery let alone that my dear man is mending this fast. I'm hoping he will be his full, sweet, Mr. Comment self in no time at all!

Changing subject here: did I happen to mention that I started reading a new food blog? No? Well, I've added the link over there on the left of my page but for those good folks that don't know how to get to it (snicker, it reminds me of me when I first started using a 'puter) here it is, just click on this link: http://mostlyadventurous.blogspot.com/ . I happen to know this person personally and know that she's very creative and very inventive AND she had an excellent grasp of what goes with what. I've trusted my tastebuds to her many times. Ask her about her Charizo Soup. Wow.
Anyway, gotta run for now. Later.

Crochet

2007-01-19T20:49:00.000-05:00

I'm a self taught crocheter. I learned when my ex-ex husband bought me an afghan kit. Oh, that was way back in the 70's. It was a ripple afghan worked in sc in brown, orange and yellow; the colors of the decade. I struggled through that 'ghan, frogged more times than I can remember but finally finished it just in time for our divorce 2 years later. I didn't touch a hook after that for at least 4 years.
I had remarried by then, had a baby on the way and wanted to make something. I don't know what it was- but I wanted to make it. I guess I was going through a form of preggers cravings only with yarn instead of food.
I went to the store and bought yarn, hooks, books, whatever I was going to need to make "it". When I came home and began reading the instruction books, I realized two things:

first, that my ex had really done me no favors by giving me that first kit- it was a dreadful thing that I hated working on IN SC and only worked on it when he was around and for an absolute beginner, it was hard!

and second, that my ex had really given me a life time love of yarns, an ability to set myself free and explore the creative side of myself; to see colors in new ways, and to feel accomplishment in something that I'd made myself.

I discovered that crochet didn't have to be hard. It could be fun and best of all-- easy. With that first kit, I didn't know that and had always felt inadequate when I worked on that 'ghan. I didn't know I was suppose to be having fun! Well, I learned quickly and have really loved crochet ever since.
Who cares that not everything I make is perfect or useable. It's the excitement of the new project that gets me going, the 1000 colors I have to choose from, the type of yarn and best of all the feel of the yarn that gives me such pleasure.
I'll never be a professional crocheter but I'll sure enjoy it for the rest of my days.
You know, I can't remember what the "it" was that I finally made when I renewed my interest in crochet while I was pregnant, nor do I know whatever happened to that first Ripple Afghan but I did find that very pattern that came in that kit just the other day while I was cleaning a closet. Funny how we hold on to things, isn't it?! I'll never use that pattern again as long as I live but there just might be someone in my future that needs a hobby. I'll pass it off to them to enjoy! ;)

Creation of a Start

2006-11-22T01:33:00.000-05:00

I begin with the first and go on to the second.
Strands of light go dancing past as I silently watch them run.
Where will they take me.
When will I follow.
Only someone else knows.
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Seconds should be clearer but somehow, they aren't.
It should be easier by this time.
I lie in shadow waiting, wondering.