Mish Mash ... etc.

Very Low Carb Muffins

2012-02-15T08:15:00.000-06:00

I'm always on the look out for recipes that I can use for my sweet DH since he is diabetic and is very careful what he eats. These muffins are perfect! Easy to put together, bakes quickly... and here's the recipe.. ;o)

Low Carb Muffins

Heat oven to 350 °F

Butter or spray with baking spray a 6 cup muffin pan

Dry ingredients:

3/4 cups almond meal (9 net carbs)
1 ½ tsp. baking powder (3 carbs)
1 ½ Tbsp. cinnamon (1.7 net carbs)
½ tsp. salt ( 0 )

The recipe I found calls for 3 packets of Splenda. My DH has an allergy to all the artificial sweeteners, so he requested that I leave out all the sweeteners. You may not have this problem.

Other ingredients:

3 eggs, beaten ( 0 )
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil ( 0 )
1 dash pure vanilla extract ( 0 )
1 cup chopped nuts .. I use either pecans or walnuts ( 4.65 net carbs)

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix in beaten eggs, oil, and vanilla well. Add the nuts and stir until blended. Pour batter into each muffin cup, dividing evenly. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes until golden brown. ( NOTE: Not all ovens are the same. My oven bakes them in 10 to 12 minutes.. Don't ask me why! So I would suggest keeping an eye on them and when the look a little dry on top, test them with a knife to see if it comes out clean and if it does, take them out. ) I seldom let them cool more than a minute or two. I use Pam Baking Spray or Baker's Joy on my pan and they just pop out. I cool them on a paper plate. Then I store them in a large ziploc.. but they don't last long.. The midnight strolls of my sweet DH see to that.. ;o)

They are quite good served with whipped cream. We sometimes put them in a bowl and pour Silk Vanilla Soy milk over them. Wonderful!

When I add the carbs and divide them by 6 ... I come up with a net carb of 3.06 carbs per muffin.
Even with the addition of 2 Tbsp. of granulated sugar ( 33.06 carb)... after dividing it all out into 6 muffins there will still only be 6 carb in each muffin. I think I will make a batch using the sugar for me.. ;o)

My husband loves them. They fill a big hole in snack department.. ;o)

Looks like we're going to have more rain this afternoon and while I am totally tired of all the dreary day blues that I get when there is no sun for a while... we really need the rain. So.. I will turn on every light in the house and enjoy it.. ;o)

Have a great day..

And How Time Flies....

2012-02-02T08:54:00.002-06:00

I haven't died... I promise...

But I have found a "new" way to fix eggs..

These are called 1) baked eggs, 2)shirred eggs, 3) sheared eggs... and I love them. This was yesterday's breakfast. Chopped up ham in the bottom of a Pam sprayed individual oval baking dish. I used this one..

After the Pam... chopped deli ham, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, 2 eggs beaten, more cheddar cheese, tomato slices... baked in a 350° oven for 15 minutes or until knife stuck in center comes out clean. My goodness.. so wonderful..

Today I put (pre-cooked)bacon and cheese on the bottom, two eggs (not beaten) , more cheddar cheese and had it with the last of my guacamole and one piece of toast... yum yum

I have been dieting a bit again. Have lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks... I'm sure it's just water weight, so we'll see what the next 3 weeks do...

Life has been busy, but no more than usual. I have had pain injections for my back in the last 6 weeks and am amazed at the way they help! Dr. Amhan says they will wear off and this will be an ongoing thing...but I DON'T MIND how many times I have to go back! This is great!

I hope you have a great day.. and I'll be back sooner.. ;o)

2011-11-22T09:05:00.001-06:00

Looks like almost 2 months have flown by since I've posted.. I'm sorry it's been so long!
In October we had some wonderful friends visit from New Jersey. We had planned to take them to downtown McKinney and wander all the antique and rare book shops, but they had to leave early. Maybe next time.. ;o)

I decided to try once again .. sigh ... to do a houndstooth weave on my Kromski rigid heddle loom. This time I actually got it..lol This only makes the 3rd time I've tried.. I love it. And once I figured out the warp it was super easy.

This is the finished scarf. I used my fringe twister that I bought at Leef's for the first time. It really surprised me how much easier it was to make the fringe.

It's amazing that Thanksgiving is almost here.
We've been having rain for last couple of days, but we've had cool enough weather over the last month that using our fireplace has been a treat.

I'm hoping you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with comfort and warmth. ;o)

September 2006... Crocheted Slipper Patterns

2011-09-09T07:48:00.000-05:00

I was wandering back through my old Fabric Follies blog from September of 2006 and came across a pattern that I have used several times over the years. It bears re-posting since it's coming soon...ta da... the Holiday Season!

These easy and quick house slippers are a great stocking stuffer. They are called Abi's Slippers and the crocheted pattern for them is on her website.. Crotiques.com . Hers do not show a tie, but I found that with the kind of yarn that I used the slippers were a little too stretchy and required a little help to stay on my feet. (Never let it be said that I would just crochet them a little big...;o)

I found another pattern in my look back to 2006. It's one that I came up with in an effort to re-do some slippers that I had years ago. I'm not sure it's exactly the same, but I liked them anyway. Here's the original blog post from September 2006. And here's the pattern. (This pair is truly ugly, but I got that Homespun yarn at the thrift store...tons of it for about $2.00 and I thought I would never get it all used up. ;o)

Well...that's my "Blast from the Past" for today.. ;o) I think I'll start doing this more often just to see what's been happening over the years..

Have a wonderful day. They say our 100° days will be back soon, so I'm going to enjoy these cooler days while I can.. ;o)

This Day In My Life.... September 8, 2011

2011-09-08T10:01:00.000-05:00

Today is: Thursday... September 8, 2011

I got up this morning: wondering why in the world I spent half the night dreaming about spinning cotton...!! Could it be the Akha and Tahkli lessons (wonderful, by the way) that Pat and I took at Apple Leef Farm? If you ever have a chance you should absolutely stop by and visit with Leef and Les. Look around the shop.. you'll be glad you did.

This is the Akha and Indian punis that I just love. This has become my go-to project for taking with me almost everywhere I go.

As I look out my windows: I am loving this respite from 2 months of upper 90s but mostly 100-111° days. It's 63° out there right now and we are loving life..;o) Grass fires all over the state have taken their toll, including several smaller ones around here. (One burned 1,000 acres .. another burned 3,000 acres). I suppose this is not much when you consider that the fire around Bastrop, TX killed 2 people, burned nearly 800 homes and blackened 45 square miles (33,000 acres). NOAA says that in some areas of Texas it would take 20 inches of rain in one day to stop the drought. ;o( Surely this Long Hot Summer will end soon.

I am thinking: that I have an almost free week coming up next week. A very good time to get some arranging done around the house. I'm thinking that would be a good thing.. ;o)

One thing I've learned over the past week: is that if you keep a pad and pencil at hand beside you're chair when you're trying an original knitting pattern.... it's really easy to write it down row by row as you are doing it... instead of trying to go back and figure out what you did when you decide the pattern is one you want to keep... duh ;o)

This is the pattern that taught me ..lol These are wristlets that go with the Old Shale scarf I knitted. The free pattern for these wristlets will be on Fabric Follies Two in a day or two.

Creatively: this last month has been one of overwhelming thought processes...lol A Tahkli, Akha, and Charkha class, a Card Weaving class, and an Intermediate Spinning Class all in one month.. wow... a lot to absorb.. ;o) But fun.. thanks to Leef Bloomenstiel at Apple Leef Farm. No more classes for a while. Must spend some time practicing the 1/2 of what was taught that I actually remember.. lol Thank goodness Leef gives lots of good handouts! And nothing makes these more fun than going with a friend.. Thanks, Pat.

Things I am thankful for: my sweet DH who supports all of my interests and never says a word.. ;o) Except to really enjoy it with me... I love you, honey.

Plans for the rest of the week: do NOT include more classes.. ;o) Must get some things done around the house. Sooo looking forward to visits from special friends this fall. ;o)

I'm hungry.. ;o) Time to get around and fix some breakfast. And... speakin' of... I'll put up my try at making granola in a couple of days.. turns out really good..;o)

Have a wonderful day... and don't forget that hugs will make you live longer...!! ;o)

Today in My Life... July 11, 2011

2011-07-13T06:46:00.000-05:00

Today is: Wednesday, July 11, 2011

I got up this morning: early. 4am. It's not that I mind getting up early... it's that 10am letdown and sleepy that gets me.

As I look out my window: the sprinklers are sprinkling. There's a street light on our corner and the water makes all the plants out front glisten like tiny stars. Pretty enough to go sit out and watch... but it's already 82°F out there at 5:30am....

I am hearing: my sweet DH wandering around the kitchen getting coffee and asking me why I was up so early... ;o)

I am thinking: that the air conditioning in our new house is wonderful...but I'll be right back...after I've slipped on the shawl that Karen made for me! Cool on my back this morning!

One thing I've learned over the past week: is just how much fun it is to share brownies and cups of tea with friends. This is not a new learning experience.. ;o) .. it's just that it's been such a long time since I've been able to that it SEEMS like a new one... ;o) Hopefully all the major hubbub with the move is about over... ;o)

Creatively: I've learned a bit this week. You don't have to use vinegar to set the dye for Kool Aid (unless you are worried about the blues being colorfast). Kool Aid has citric acid already in it ... therefore it will be colorfast without any other additive. And... I feel totally set free now that I've dyed roving in the microwave and it didn't come out a felted hot pad. Thanks, Pat, for all the tips last Friday.

Things I am thankful for: Visits from sons John and Phil over the 4th of July... Life can't get any better than that... ;o)

Plans for the rest of the week: include (finally) the installation of the storm doors today... yes! this morning!...yayyyy!
And the RRFA meeting on Thursday. Really glad that Mercy may be able to continue coming even tho she's moving.

It's hot. And doesn't look there's much chance for any change in temps for a while. Not even into August yet and the temps are now what the usual high for the year is... ;o/

But... the grass is green, the sky is blue, the flowers bloom and it is a lovely day. Hope yours is too... ;o)

Today In My Life... May 8, 2011

2011-05-08T07:17:00.001-05:00

Today is: Mother's Day... May 8, 2011

I got up this morning: at 4:30am, made coffee and emptied the dishwasher. Normal stuff. Turn on the computers, listen to the clock tick. The peace of the morning makes me wish for an all day early morning... ;o) Just normal stuff... a gift.

As I look out my window: the sun is just lifting over the horizon. It's 6:10am. I look out over the backyard and the meadow and think of how I have loved just gazing down there...the trees, the flowers, the squirrels, the birds. I'm glad I've taken pictures over the years....

I am hearing: very little traffic this morning. It's Sunday. An occasional car or truck. But mostly just sounds of the thoughts rolling around in my head. Some good, some bad.... just normal stuff.. ;o)

I am thinking: that it's very nice to have a friend who knows that she is cared about even when things become hectic in life and there is not always the time or frame of mind for a call... or a visit...

The one thing I've learned over the past week: is this.... If you pack all of your dishes, pots and pans there will ALWAYS be a snag and instead of a couple of days...it will be another 2 weeks before you can move...

Creatively: I have been at a stand still... My creativity is just buried so far behind thoughts of my children and the move that I found myself back to knitting garter stitch dishcloths last night. Could not concentrate on any pattern enough to make it work, so the dishcloths were a life saver.. ;o)

Plans for the rest of the week: include 3 days of chiropractic visits.. and here I have to give a plug to Dr. Ryan Knight of Denison, TX.. The pain in my back and shoulders is so much less that I can actually breathe now and make it through the day.
Note to self: Must buy shelf paper by the mile... and soon...

A shout out and huge THANK YOU... to Amber DeHay for all the help packing and carrying boxes. And speaking of Amber.. pop over to her blog Knit My World and take a look at her new pattern for a knitted scarf to match the lovely wrist warmers I had the pleasure of test knitting..

Today is Mother's Day. I cannot think of any mother I know that is perfect.. or even the perfect mom. But the thing about Moms is this... They have a perfect love ... Happy Mother's Day!

Cooking... hmmm Recipe for diabetic "Almost Mince"

2011-04-24T10:34:00.001-05:00

My sweet DH and I have decided for health reasons to change our diet to eliminate as much meat and sugar as possible. Counting carbs (diabetes) and also counting cholesterol and fats (heart) means having limited choices. Yesterday I found that I had a couple of apples that I needed to either eat or cook.. I also had a package of 3½ inch squares of phyllo dough. So.... here is what I did.. I call it "Meatless Almost Mince"....

2 medium Delicious apples
1 cup chopped pecan/walnut mix
2 tsp. cinnamon (I did this to taste... )
1 tsp. cloves (I did this to taste..)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg (I did this to taste .. also.. ;o)
4... 1grain Necta Sweet saccharin tablets
1/2 cup water
36... 3 1/2 inch phyllo dough squares

I cut the apples (unpeeled) in quarters and cut them into about 1/2 pieces. These I placed into my tiny little electric chopper and chopped until about the size of large grains of rice. I also chopped 1/2 cup of pecans and then 1/2 cup of walnuts. I crushed the Necta Sweet tablets between 2 spoons. All of these I placed into a large stainless bowl. While mixing everything, I added the spices.. a little at a time and tasting as I went to see if I needed to add more.

I placed the finished mixture into a medium size pan, added 1/2 cup of water and simmered over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. When it was finished cooking, I set it aside for a bit to cool slightly and laid out single squares of phyllo dough on a plastic cutting board. I moistened all edges of the phyllo square, placed a really heaping teaspoon of mixture in the center and then folded the phyllo over the mixture into a triangle. I used a fork to press and seal the edges.

I placed the triangles in a Baker's Joy sprayed baking sheet and baked at 350° oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown on the edges. ( I could only use one piece of phyllo because of the carbs. If you don't have that worry, you can use 1/2 cup sugar instead of the NutraSweet, add butter to the mixture and use 2 phyllo sheets that have then brushed with margarine to make a more golden, flaky crust.)

Now... what we found. He could not eat the triangles because of the carbs in the phyllo. But... he can eat 3/4 cup of the apple/walnut mix as a side dish for chicken, turkey, fish or just plain Eggbeaters and toast! (I think next time I will add some Rum or Brandy to the mix and a little lemon juice. That will give it a more Mincemeat flavor than it already has! And I LOVE mincemeat! )

Today is Easter and I am wishing for all of you a really lovely day...whether you can be with family or not. ;o)

Today In My Life.... April 7, 2011

2011-04-07T07:37:00.001-05:00

Today is: Thursday, April 7, 2011

I got up this morning: and it was 4:40 am. My back and shoulders have hurt so badly over the last 10 days that I find it difficult to go back to sleep after I wake up.... so here I am with a cup of Apricot/Peach tea, my buddy laptop and you this morning. ;o)

As I look out my window: it's quite dark out thanks to Daylight Saving Time. The light of the cars shine bright red as they recede down the hill out front. I have always loved DST because the evening is so much longer and my children had more time to play in the summer. That was before they moved it up so much that now kids have to stand at a bus stop in pitch black to get to school. I don't like that. At all.

I am hearing: the slight noise of the very first clock my sweet DH made. It's a pale country blue. I have painted roses on it and it hangs in the kitchen. It's one of my favorite things.

I am thinking: that it's a wonderful thing to know that things are much better for my sweet DH. His cardiac cath showed an almost 100% blockage in one of his coronary arteries. The stent was placed and there could be no better news than that!

Also: exactly one month ago I posted here that I was very grateful that Steven was coming home from Iraq. Today.... well, see for yourself.

This can also rank up there with the best of the best that I am thankful for. It was such a joy just to put my arms around him (on tiptoe, no less) and hold him. We went to IHOP and were going to sit in the same seat that his brother Jeff and I would sit in years ago... but the smoke was wayyyy too much for both of us. So we sat somewhere else and talked.

I love you, Steven. It's so good that you're home.

The one thing I've learned during the past week:
It's much easier to be the "patient" than it is to be "waiter" . My sweet DH had a CT scan this week for reduction in blood flow to his feet. This comes only a couple of weeks after his coronary cath with stent placement. Now... being a nurse one is aware that for the most part all is well...but being a wife is entirely a different thing. Not fun being the "waiter".....

Also.....Even if you are near crying with pain, a new chiropractor will not adjust your back on the first visit. That's why I'm still in pain. While I really liked her, we are having to wait for the orthopedist that cost a fortune and did no good about anything to send my MRI results to her. May have to go and hand carry them from him to her... ;o(

Creatively: all things have just come to nil. I've tried knitting, card weaving, crochet.... nothing seems to work out just right. Couldn't be pain related, could it? I've spent more time frogging and just plain ripping out than accomplishing anything... ughhh

But I have to say that our Red River Fiber Arts group continues to grow and is more fun with each meeting. We are planning to have a booth at Arts Fest this September. So far, there is not a web site for this year, but there is one for last year. Here it is and we can only assume that it will be very much the same this year. Everyone is working on projects and we have built up quite a lot already. Should be great fun!

Plans for the rest of the week: include buying all the little things to finally finish up the new house. Had to buy a couple of lights yesterday that we had missed on our first trip to Lowe's. Things are finally finishing up, but even though I've said "should be done in a couple of weeks" at least 3 times now... what was supposed to be done mid to late March will now be done about late April or early May. But considering the winter weather that's not too bad ... even if we are in a hurry... ;o)

Just a thought: Unless I did something very wrong, I've found that I cannot paint the tile to go behind the stove in the new house. I did a quick and dirty painting on 4 of the tiles, cooked them in the oven like the instructions said. I then waited overnight and washed them. The regular wash was great, but when I tried the scrub with a mild abrasive it scrubbed off. I decided not to paint them after all since the replacing of tiles in 4 or 5 years is not something I wanted to look forward to...

I hope you all have a really good day. And I hope some part of it is filled with a great bit hug! ;o)

Today In My Life... March 7, 2011

2011-03-07T09:44:00.002-06:00

Today is: Monday, March 7, 2011

I got up this morning: not really ready to get up. Went back to bed for few minutes, snuggling in the warmth my sweet DH had just left. And then the clink of cups being set on the cabinet spurred one thought ... COFFEE!

As I look out my window: it's overcast and a little breezy. The daffodils have continued to bloom until it is a full mass of yellow. The red bud beside them is beginning to bloom with little purple buds popping up all over the trunk and limbs. As I stepped outside to take pics it didn't take long for me step back inside and grab a long, fluffy and warm robe to go wandering in.

I am hearing: my sweet DH .. "Better bring your coffee cup.." which means the toast is in the toaster, new coffee has been made and it's time for breakfast.. ;o)

I am thinking: that I am more grateful than can be expressed that our grandson Steven will be home...tour over ... from Iraq in just a few hours. Left Ireland yesterday and should be at home in Oklahoma this afternoon. What a gift!

I am thankful for: the small glimpses into the lives of family, friends, old classmates and best of all.. my children's every day lives through Facebook. (I know... that terrible Facebook.. but in reality the ability to communicate almost every day with the ones I know and love outweighs all of that... )

The one thing I learned during the past week: My sweet DH becomes a little less sweet when he feels that I am not taking care of my hurt back.. ;o( But believe me.. I am a fast learner..lol

Creatively: is all about my friend Amber DeHay of Knit My World. I am so proud that she has released her first knitting pattern on Ravelry as a true designer. She is also working on a matching scarf to go with wrist warmers.

Plans for the rest of the week: Boy... that would take a list... and a long one at that. Today will be spent with Sharon packing, packing, packing. Tomorrow will be spent preparing for the Thursday's Red River Fiber Arts group. The newspaper came last week to do an article on our group and was a bit overwhelmed... ;o) She asked if she could come back this week with a real photographer and do another interview for a full page spread. We are about to pop all our buttons...lol I thought I might also warp up my Kromski Harp and my small card weaving loom for the event. Will have to see just how much time I have to prepare.

Before I go I want to say how wonderful it is to have friends who pop over and glance through my meanderings.. ;o) I received a couple of comments from last weeks post that made me realize how much I enjoy this blogging thing.. lol Thanks... your comments mean more than you know..

Have a wonderful day... spend it with people you care about and doing things you enjoy.. live is short.

Hello, again.....

2011-03-02T08:18:00.000-06:00

Spring is springing and I have to say it cannot come too soon for me. The snow was lovely, the cold temps made eating home made soup wonderful and the warmth of sitting with DH watching tv was great... but .... the sight of this lovely yellow as I look out the office window almost made my heart flop...lol

The work on our house can finally regain a little momentum and possibly we will be able to move the last of March...or not... Now it all depends on the rain.. We REALLY want to keep Mother Nature happy right now.. ;o)

Just wanted to leave you with kisses.. ;o)... that would be TEA KISSES..

I hope you have a wonderful day. It looks like it will be a warm, sunshiny day here in North Texas. Hope it is for you too.

2011-01-12T08:18:00.000-06:00

Today is: Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I got up this morning: with a runny nose, raspy voice and feeling like I've been run over by a truck. Have been taking NyQuil at night for the last couple of nights trying to nip this in the bud, but looks like it's going to take it's own good time leaving.. ;o(

As I look out my window: I see the snow has stayed in it's perfect blanket of white across the yard. Not even any footprints from birds or squirrels. This is the third day for this snow and the weather forecasters are telling us the temps will remain below freezing for at least one more day... maybe more. Temperature this morning was 19° when DH looked. (Yukkk... my coffee's cold!) When I stepped out the front door the sunrise almost took my breath away! Pictures just don't do it justice.

I am hearing: just the ringing in my ears and the sound of the keyboard as I type. It seems this blanket of snow subdues everything.

I am thinking: that building a house and moving must surely be meant for younger people.

I am thankful for: new found friends... ;o)

The one thing I learned during the past week: is that my sweet DH will worry himself to death in an effort not to hurt any one's feelings even when he knows what is best.

Creatively: I finished the gloves that I started early last week. The Red River Fiber Guild decided last week to do a Knit-A-Long using the pattern shown here. I'm using the same hand spun merino that I used in the mittens and size 6 needles.

Plans for the rest of the week: Trying to clear out a lot of the redundant things we have collected over the years so there won't be so much to move... or to find a place for since we are scaling down. So far we have totally trashed both bedrooms and filled the dining room table with tons of dishes to be given away.... didn't know we had so much stuff "stuffed" in the cabinets..lol

I am now taking my cup of cold coffee... refilling it with "hot" coffee and heading to my chair with my Harry Potter book, my Puffs, and my blanket to spend the day trying to throw this off so I can attend the meeting tomorrow of RRFA group... sigh

Have a wonderful day.. ;o)

Merry Christmas.. !!!!

2010-12-25T07:50:00.001-06:00

Where: Butterfield Stage Theater, Gainesville, TX

When: Mid 1990s, somewhere around 8 pm.

For: Butterfield Stage Players performance of "A Camp Howze Christmas"

Starring: (among others) one of my sons

My mom was sitting beside me. I'm not sure whether she had ever been to a Community Theater before. She was a little nervous and seemed a little unsure of herself.

The lights dimmed and a spotlight was beamed on the table of a small cafe' scene on stage. The songs began and she laughed along with me and everyone else as Jim and a couple of his singing buds appeared on stage with WAC uniforms, wigs and stuffed bras that kept falling down..lol Then there was the jitter bug that she had been sooo good at dancing. (As a child, I loved it when she would hop up from a chair and suddenly begin be-bopping around...lol )

Mom had been a young waitress during the last months of World War II in a tiny little Texas town called Lorenzo. The scenes were all too real for her as we watched "the home front" replayed through the songs of that period that were so well done by the young singers and actors.

The lights went way down... a back lit silhouette became visible behind one of the windows high up on the wall.. it became very quiet in the theater and the soft sounds of music began as Jim began to sing...

I heard a small sound and looked at Mom. There was a tiny tear falling down her cheek.

Today In My Life... December 24, 2010

2010-12-24T10:19:00.000-06:00

Today is: Friday, December 24, 2010

I got up this morning: feeling a little down. It's Christmas Eve and none of the kids are able to come home. It forces me to remind myself of all those holidays... when my children were growing up or I was unable to get time off on the holidays or there was a lack of money for long trips... and the tons of other reasons that my Mom or Dad had to spend their holidays without us there. It's true... we never understand or appreciate our parents until we are parents.. and in similar circumstances. ;o)

As I look out the window: the flock of crows that greet us every morning by doing a fly-by of our window have not shown up yet. In fact, none of our morning greeters.. sparrows, wrens, chickadees... have shown up. Wonder if they are hiding out in preparation for the cold front moving through. Supposed to get really cold (at least for us..lol.. don't point, Phillip!) ;o)

I am hearing: my sweet DH in the shower. He (and I) have loved that shower that our sons put in for us. Really will miss all the wonderful memories that have come with this house.. ;o(

I am thinking: that perhaps I feel a little like Monte Walsh. We went to McDonald's yesterday morning and had breakfast. Someone had left the Herald Democrat newspaper on the table. It's about 1/2 as wide as it used to be, has about 1/10th the number of pages and reminds me more and more of the very old newspapers of the Wild West that had no pictures. And now with the e-readers, I'm afraid the same will be happening with "real" books. I'm afraid the world as we know it is changing much too rapidly for me......

I am thankful for: magic markers and corn cob ink pens.. ;o)

Creatively: thankful for Joe Camilleri of Mangiare . Wonderful chef who unselfishly publishes on his blog some of the most mouth watering recipes imaginable.. woo hoo!

Just a thought: Colors... like friends.. beautiful each to itself. Colors.. beautiful in a mish mash of random shapes... each close and making each other shine!

Today In My Life ... December 22, 2010

2010-12-22T08:48:00.001-06:00

Today is: Wednesday, December 22, 2010

I got up this morning: and it seemed quite cool.. not terrible, but cool enough that I went and found a toboggan cap as I sat here surfing the net and waiting for sweet DH to get up. Found some socks, wrapped up in my fuzzy robe... never realizing that in the heat of the "blazing 70° " of yesterday I completely turn off the heater... as in "OFF"! and never thought to turn it back on... hmmmph

As I look out the window: the sun is just rising with just a hint of pink on the horizon. The trees look a little forlorn with their bare, dark limbs slightly swaying against the steel of this morning's sky.

I am hearing: the patter of coffee cup against coffee pot as DH finds another cuppa.. ;o)

I am thinking: very little of any consequence this morning. My brain is doing that ADHD thing and there are so many to choose from it's just not worth spending the time deciding.. lol

I am thankful for: all the ups and downs in my life ... like everyone else... that lead us to become the persons we are. However... some days I think I might like to be "just a little bit" of someone else.. ;o)

The one thing I learned this week: is that I love the idea of a dream catcher. I would love to think that all the bad thoughts and dreams would become enmeshed in a web before they made it to my dreams.. ;o)

Reading: but still mostly not. Seem to be in a reading, creative, hand craft dip. Hmmm... what's up with that?

Creative news: Linda B. over at Chloe's Place is back after a very busy absence. So happy to see her blog busy again. She has the most wonderful ideas and lovely crazy quilt embroidery.

Not much else happening during the holiday season. Seem to be very busy with the details of building the house.... I suppose those decisions could be deemed creative.. ;o)

Am crocheting the edging on my Pi shawl. Seems just could not figure out how to do the cast on and knit back for the knitted edging that I really wanted to do. Anyway, here's how it's coming along...
It's laid out on top of a large crocheted afghan and the pink of that distracts a bit, but if I ever get it finished I'll make sure I take a really good pic.. ;o)

Plans for the rest of the week: It's the Christmas holidays.. what else is there to say.. ;o)

A picture thought:

Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company. ~Author Unknown

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Today In My Life... Saturday, 12/18/2010

2010-12-18T07:33:00.001-06:00

Today is: Saturday, 12/18/2010

I got up this morning: and wondered how my sweet DH can sleep with all the accumulated accouterments that I now have on my side of the bed. I guess the lack of my snoring all night must make up for the lack of stretching room.. ;o) I hope so anyway!

As I look out the window: I realize the shades are still drawn and the vision of Christmas lights I see so clearly stems from times past when my mom and her husband spent days putting lovely lights all around the house (as did every other house on their block)... and then the wait began. The wait for the shining eyes, glowing cheeks and laughter as each child in turn was awestruck with all the glittering wonder of the Season.

I am hearing: the clock that was made with such care by my sweet DH as it chimes softly the 3/4 hour...telling me that it will soon be 6:00am...

I am thinking: that it doesn't really matter how many classes you take, professors you listen to, interviews you take part in, spend your days working with... you will never understand a geriatric patient and their thought processes until you are one.

I am thankful for: old things that are stashed away gathering dust and cobwebs. The old glasses that allow you to see while that "forever" period passes and new ones are made... the old mouse that still works when the new one dies... the old keyboard that may not be so "ergonomic", but still fits the fingers like comfortable old shoes.

The one thing I learned this week: isn't just one.. ;o) But the one that I remember as of this moment is that shea butter is a wonderful thing. I bought some a couple of years ago..along with many other ingredients...to make my own hand creams. I did make the hand cream and now have all these ingredients left over. Shea butter..on it's own.. slathered over the back of very dry hands at night makes a huge difference when you wake up in the morning. Mine is a tad old and the smell may not be wonderful, but the hands are clapping "thank you"... ;o)

Reading: but mostly not... I just cannot seem to find a new author that I really like. I will think I've found one and then it just fades away. Back to reading David Baldacci's "The Camel Club" for the fourteenth (at least) time...

Creativity news: continues to be centered around the Pi shawl I am attempting to make and the most enjoyable friends that are growing into the Red River Fiber Arts group.

The Pi shawl is coming along, but I'm afraid I won't have enough of the New Zealand wool yarn to make it as large as I wanted to make it. I suppose I could spin up some Romney in a natural color that would match, but haven't decided yet. I have started to take it off the knitting needles using a crochet stitch. Considering doing a very large crochet edging to add another 4" or so to each side... that would add 8 inches to the diameter. Will see about that..

Red River Fiber Arts group... see the smiles on the faces and all that food on the table... there is nothing more to add...lol (Except the secret of the pounds gained... ;o) What a wonderful, talented and fun group of ladies.

Plans for the rest of the week: ... hmm.. there's not much week left. Today is laundry day and will certainly include .. ta da... "the mopping of the floors"....that sounds like it should be some kind of mystic holiday... ;o/

A picture thought:

When you leave a place, leave a small piece of your joy behind as seeds of contentment for the next persons who live there.

Christmas is almost here and regardless what it's called or how much rigmarole is presented by the press... Christmas is a personal thing for each family... they can't change any of that. ;o) So have the happiest of times during this Season. ;o)

Today in My Life... 12/13/2010

2010-12-13T07:09:00.000-06:00

Today in my life: December 13, 2010

I got up this morning: a little slowly and resentfully. Between being cold and waking up way too early (2am) ... I was just not in the mood.. But the robe is furry, the socks are wool and the coffee is wonderful.. so all is good. :o)

I am hearing: my sweet DH swishing his coffee around his mouth... just like I do. Something about that swish... just makes it taste better all around. ;o)

As I look out the window: I see only darkness. Between the time change and season change, that lovely warm sunrise that we see through the office window comes later and later each day. Looking forward to another equinox and the changes that will bring.

My one thing I learned this week: is that when recommendations are made by the doctor, there is usually a really good reason. Ages back, the Dr. said I needed to sleep with my head raised... just could not see that happening until this week. My sweet DH bought me a wedge for the bed and guess what... amazing... no more snoring and a massive decrease in heartburn. But never let it be said that I act on such recommendations in a timely manner.. my reputation would be destroyed...lol

Reading...or current book... or ??? : I just cannot seem to read more than 2 pages at night without my eyes closing. Guess my "book" books will just have to take all year to read. But as for the magazines... ah hah... I've read all my Spin Off magazines at least 4 times this week. I love the part that compares spinning for crochet as opposed to spinning for knitting. There is a difference.

Creativity news: Have finally begun to spread the wings a little bit with my knitting. Began another Pi shawl using the New Zealand wool hand spun that I did earlier in the year. It started out the same as the other shawl, but for this one I added a very simple (yo k2tog) row followed by 2 rows of stockinette. These 3 rows repeated make a lovely shawl. (Got the idea from Pat Blankenship of Confessions of a Fiber Enthusiast.. ;o) Thanks, Pat. )

Plans for the rest of the week: Seems no matter how hard I try, I cannot make my hair stop growing. That means another trip to the beauty shop for the buzz of the shears. A pot luck Christmas (almost..;o) dinner with the girls at the RRFA... can't wait for that! And as for plans for today... wishing daughter Bev the happiest birthday ever... !

And here's a thought: One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. ~Andy Rooney

Today In My Life... 11/29/2010

2010-11-29T08:53:00.001-06:00

Today: November 29, 2010

I got up this morning: about 6:30 to the sound of pitter-patter rain drops on the roof. Soft misty rain and gray skies are warmed by the green, sienna and ochre of the leaves that still hold on to the trees.

I am hearing: the click of the keyboard as I type reminding me that I really need to buy a new one. This has been the most disenchanting keyboard I have ever tried to use... ;o(

My one thing I learned this week: Seeing old friends after many years apart is almost as good as having children come home for a visit... different parts of the heart may be involved, but the heart swells with joy just the same.

The current book is: Look Three Ways at Murder by John Creasey. Published in paperback in 1966, I am enthralled with the work of John Creasey. I think the characteristics of human life never change... however much we would love to think of ourselves as having "progressed" into a newer way of life.

Creativity news: Several of the spinners and weavers in the area decided that we wanted a time and place to meet together and spin, weave, knit or whatever we would like to do. I checked with the local Senior Center, got an enthusiastic welcome, and now we have met twice. There is much interest in spinning and weaving in the area and up to now there has been no place to get together with others to learn or practice new things. We now meet every Thursday at the Senior Center from 1pm to 3pm (or whenever we decide to leave.. ;o)

In trying to teach several different ones to spin, I have found that one of me is just not enough to go around. I purchased a Mother Marion Kick Spindle last week to see if perhaps that will help some to understand the process. Have to add here... I love it.. ;o) Just wish I had 10 more..lol

I will be calling the Senior Center today to confirm that we can also have an evening meeting on the second Tuesday of every month. This would help the ones who have to work or go to school and give them an opportunity to learn and also to share some of their knowledge with us.

Plans for the coming week: are a bit up in the air. I think that perhaps this week will just come and go of it's own free will...lol

A picture thought:

The loss of the leaves only serves to open the view to the beautiful sky beyond...

Have a wonderful day... ;o)

There is no gift like an old friend....

2010-11-28T06:36:00.001-06:00

I searched for her for years. Finally I turned to my sweet DH and after about 3 days of searching... she's here... Turns out she was doing the same...searching for me... ;o)

We graduated nursing school together, we worked at the same places, we shared an apartment and we shared long moments of our lives. And it never matters how far apart in time they are...

They are gifts... those long moments of our shared lives.

I'm so glad to see you, Nancy.

First Prize and Judge's Choice!

2010-10-13T07:36:00.001-05:00

The Red River Quilter's Guild in Wichita Falls, TX. hosted their Quilting in the Falls: Bi-Annual Quilt Show on October 9th and 10th.

DDIL enters each show with a quilt that she hand quilts. Her work is so perfect that even though she encourages me to enter my quilts... no way...lol So here I am in bragging mode and delighted that she placed with a blue ribbon and also won Judge's Choice this year.

She does much more than just quilting. She crochets, embroiders, knits... and is just as talented with those crafts as with the quilting.
Have a look at some of the things she is working on now at her blog Black Cat. It's written in Japanese, but the pictures are self explanatory and there's always Babblefish.. ;o)

Congratulations, Tomomi...

Crystalized Ginger... Easy Almost Tutorial

2010-10-12T13:39:00.000-05:00

I use ginger root in my tea sometimes, but often have lots of that tuber left over to throw away after it shrivels up into nothing. Today I decided that there was no way I could drink enough tea to use up what I had on the cabinet, so I searched the net and found recipes to crystallize it. Had no idea it would be so easy.

First... peel or scrape the ginger. Rinse it off and slice it as thinly as you can.

Put it in a small saucepan and just cover with water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer and simmer the ginger for 30 minutes. It should be tender and getting translucent when this step is done.

My sweet DH came in about now and I forgot to take pictures of the next steps. (Did I tell you to open all the windows and turn on all the fans in the house? I didn't! Well, perhaps you should. ;) I actually like the smell, but some people don't, so better safe than sorry.)

When the 30 minute simmer is done, pour off the water. Measure the amount of cooked ginger using a food scale or a dry measuring cup. Place back in the pan and then add an equal amount of sugar and about a teaspoon of water. Bring to a boil once again and it will take another 20 minutes or so for the syrup to boil down. When it reaches the stage that it begins to look like the bubbles that come up when making candy, be sure to stir it constantly until it is almost dry.

While the ginger is cooking, take a paper plate or something and put about a cup of sugar in it. Gently spread it around a little.

After the ginger has cooked almost dry, pour it onto the bed of sugar. Using a fork, spread it around quickly to cover each slice of the ginger. Spread it out on a paper towel and let it cool and dry out completely.

After the ginger cools and dries, it can be stored in a sealed jar for several months. The left over sugar has now become "ginger sugar" and can be used in your tea or in baking.

I love this and will definitely not be without it from now on. As I was researching ginger, I found that chewing this is good for nausea...among LOTS of other things.

BTW... if you were one of those kids who loved Red Hots when you were a kid, you'll love this. Tastes wonderful, but as you go along eating it suddenly it becomes hot and then hotter. Never hot like a jalapeno tho.. just more like the Red Hot candies..

This was fun... If you try it, I hope you will let me know how your came out.

Have a wonderful day.. ;o)

Frustration... so let's sew!

2010-09-28T13:13:00.000-05:00

We thought we would have to call a repair man to check out the washer and dryer when we began to find dark spots that look like oil on our clothes. But we turned to the trusty personal computer and internet and guess what we found?... Gunky build up on the dispensers and in the tub are supposed to be what causes it. We spent all day yesterday working on this...took all the dispenser apart and cleaned them in the kitchen sink, washed the entire dispenser area until it squeaked.. ran a full load of whites with the recommended 1/4 cup of powdered Cascade w/Dawn degreaser and 1 cup Clorox. Whites came out pretty white, but the next load of his shirts and my pants showed no appreciable difference in the spots... ughhh Still working on this today... ;o((

By the time our tempers had vented from the frustration we decided it was time for a hug, supper and a little quiet. We had supper, watched "Frost" solve another case, and I decided to do a little hand sewing.

I have had that terrible urge to do something...anything... with a hand needle for the last couple of weeks. Why is that do ya think? Anyway, I have this pile of wonderful flour sack tea towels that I've had hidden away in my work room (there's a story...more on that later) so I decided to dig them out. Over on Fabric Follies Two , I will be blogging about some embroidery that I used on one of them. I digress...again.. sigh

After cutting them in half, the hemming went like a charm. This stuff sews like butter. I'm thinking of buying another dozen and sewing me up a blouse or something to wear with it... you think I'm kidding.. not! ;o)

It's going to be a busy week. Company flying in from Idaho that DH hasn't seen in many years. I'm really looking forward to this. They get on the phone and do nothing but laugh... It does a heart good.. ;o)

Hope your day is good... Hugs..

Look What I Found!

2010-09-23T11:17:00.000-05:00

Back in 2003, my sweet DH and I attended a reunion of the LRRP Rangers in San Antonio, TX. What a time we had! I met some of the most wonderful people I have ever known. Fun, fun, fun! One of the other wives and I wandered off down the River Walk and came across a guy sitting out in the sun doing pastel caricatures. I just had to do it.. ;o) And a couple of days ago I came across this stashed in one of the guest room closets. I love it...lol Just as he was finishing up, Karin was standing there hurrying us up... poor guy did a great job anyway...

News of the Day

2010-09-16T10:31:00.001-05:00

I've deleted my Facebook account. While I truly enjoyed it most of the time, I found myself on it far too much. It seemed that every day I spent more time sitting there looking than I did up and about doing things. So, yesterday the deletion took place. I will miss very much being in touch with far away friends, but there really is the old fashioned email and absolutely archaic snail mail.. ;o)

The weather here has veered to the slightly hot for the last few days. We've been in and out and find it just as funny now as we did when were we kids...tripping over stuff when the car door is opened and the hot air fogs the glasses. And it's even funnier when you look over and everyone you see is carrying their glasses in their hand for the very same reason. ;o)

I've almost completely cleared my work room. Essentially all of the contents with the exception of my sewing machines and mat cutter, tools and few other things were delivered to the Salvation Army yesterday. That includes all the craft paints, oil paints, pastels, brushes....everything. I will let you know if I have any real remorse when the reality finally sets in...lol

Finally got pictures of the spider lilies the other day. So pretty. They are like magic, popping up out of nowhere with a splash of color.

I find it a bit ironic that the City of Sherman does a bit of moaning about losing businesses in the downtown area. The Sherman Heritage Festival is this weekend...that would be 2 days from now... and not a word of it has been in the paper, on television.... not anywhere. Does that sound like a real effort to help the downtown businesses... ???? Oh well....

Hope all is well wherever you are and shades of happiness cover your day. :o)

Hello, Hermine and Cafe Press Impressions

2010-09-08T08:59:00.000-05:00

Occasionally a swath of the hurricanes that hit the coast of Texas will swing up here and we'll get rain...sometimes lots of rain. As far as I have heard, we here in North Central Texas have had pretty steady gentle rain, but no hard downpours. This is the perfect rain... just enough to fill your hair with fairy diamonds. ;o)

I haven't mentioned it, but I've opened a Cafe Press shop for Fabric Follies Two... and that's what it's called... Fabric Follies Two. I decided that before I said anything about it I would order some of it and see if the quality was as good as I would like. So far, I've ordered and received 2 mugs, 1 set of postcards and 1 journal. I am really impressed with the quality.

This is the first one I ordered. The pic on this one is of the first crazy quilt block I ever made. The colors are great and image is clear. But I hadn't quite figured our how to make the image wrap around, so I did another image.

This one is the pic of the bottlebrush bush that was outside our motel in El Cajon, CA. It did much better. With the mug, I also added postcards and a journal.

The quality of these is wonderful. I have been so impressed .. ;o) I don't know what I expected, but this wasn't it. So now I will go ahead and mention the Cafe Press Shop..lol

Looks to be a busy day ahead... Good day for cleaning out my work room... again.. ;o)

Hope all is good for you today.

Creating A Home... Free Thread Holder Tutorial

2010-08-24T07:52:00.001-05:00

One of the most popular posts on this blog concerns a thread holder that my sweet DH made for me a few years ago. It's made of wood and is really good for use with a side table.... However, if there is no side table and you have to either hold the thread/yarn in your lap or on the floor, this may not work too well.

Jim, from Creating A Home , has posted a wonderful tute using the most basic thing on the kitchen shelf... a coffee container. I had to make me one. I use it not only for crocheting, but also for needle tatting, holding the thread/yarn when I am warping my Kromski Harp, when I'm measuring thread/yarn for my tablet weaving loom..and any other time I need to pull a continuous length of thread/yarn. Love it...

I think the heat has finally pushed my bad mood buttons. Been a little funky for the last few days... my poor sweetie..sigh So I think in response to the cold wave pushing through that will bring the temps down to 97° (we can only hope) today, I will be looking around and appreciating all that I have... my sweet DH, those warm snuggles in bed in the mornings, even the gray in my hair.. ;o) Soooo.... for a few days we will be playing Pollyanna around here... it never fails to make me realize that bad moods are just that... not even a reality... just a passing fancy...

Have a really good day.. ;o)

The Winter Guest

2010-08-20T09:43:00.002-05:00

I was working hard on finishing up the cards, shuttles and thread packets for the last Tablet Weaving Class at the RR Historical Museum tomorrow. DH was gone to coffee...the house was quiet. I began to scan through the guide on the television and came across a movie starring Emma Thompson... she's one of my very favorites. I had never heard of the movie, but decided to watch it anyway just because she was in it. And another thing... this was the Directorial debut for Alan Rickman... another of my favorites.

I have to say that it was one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. The depth of the personal insights for all the characters reached out and touched me. Emma portrayed a relatively young widow with a 17 y/o son... the visitor was her mother who was portrayed by Emma's real mother, Phyllida Law... and their interactions were so deeply true to life. I cannot tell you about the movie... if I did I would only make it sound trite. I am unable to verbalize how it affected me... It may not do the same for you. But I have to give this movie an absolute 10..

Have a wonderful day.. ;o)

Kitchen Towel Holder Pattern

2010-08-11T09:07:00.003-05:00

I was wandering the web the other day looking at some of my favorite craft sites and came across a pattern for something almost like this. For the life of me I cannot remember where it was.. sigh If any of you know where to find that pattern, please let me know and I will give the author of that post the credit she deserves.

I did make one change to the pattern, but this one is almost completely the same...

What I needed:

1 metal clothes hanger
Cotton yarn ... I used Sugar and Cream Cotton Yarn by Lily but this pattern would work with acrylic or wool in either sport or worsted weight
Crochet Hook size I

The first thing I did was have my DH cut a metal clothes hanger to a length of approx. 10 inches. Then we curled the 10 inch length into a circle with the ends overlapping about 1 inch. I used tape to hold the ends together.

Row 1: Starting anywhere on the circle, attach the yarn. SC as many stitches around the metal circle as it takes to hide the metal circle. Join with a slip stitch to first sc.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in same stitch and in each sc around the circle. Join last sc with a sl st to first sc of round. Ch 1, turn,

Row 3: sc in same stitch, sc in next 11sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 4 thru 14: , sc in same stitch, sc in next 11 sc, ch1, turn,

Row 15: sc in same stitch, sc in next 4 sc, ch 2, skip next 2 sc, sc in next 5 sc, ch 1, turn, (The skip 2 sc and the 2 ch stitches make your buttonhole.)

Row 15: sc in same st, sc in next 11 st, ch 1, turn,

Row 16: sc in same st, sc in next 11 st. ch 1, but do not turn.
Now sc in each stitch completely around the piece. Fasten off.

I used a button about 1" across. Fold the top of the piece down until it just touches the circle. Find the button hole and use that as a guide to place your button. Sew the button on using either the same yarn as what was used in the piece or any sewing thread that you like.

Now sit back and enjoy your Kitchen Towel Holder.. ;o)

This is a really quick project. This was crocheted in about an hour last night while watching tv. I hope you enjoy it. It would make great quick gifts for Christmas... throw in a couple of kitchen towels, a few hand knitted dish cloths and there ya' go.. ;o)

The summer sun is still hanging in there giving up 100+ temps every day. Even the birds get all their running around done in the morning or evening..

Have much to do today... Hope your day is good and that you are staying cool.. ;o)

Still can't put any comments up on my own blog...?????

2010-08-06T08:27:00.000-05:00

First of all... thanks to Kristy of This Bean Knits for trying and succeeding to comment on my blog.. ;o) However... I have not been able to post a single answering comment or any other comment since I changed the look of my blog... Still wondering what's up with that and having a dickens of a time trying to contact Blogger Support... Oh well... will keep trying. Just wanted everyone to know that I am aware of the problem and trying to fix it... sigh

I need to buy some folders.....

2010-08-05T08:57:00.000-05:00

Some days it just seems like the piles of paper on my desk are out to get me... Ever have a day like that? And things like my camera and usb port bone seem to be magnets for things like my DHs 16' tape measure and my granddaughter's ball that was left here when she visited. Now add in my crochet books, calculator, sale flyers from JoAnn's, a list of "Things to Blog", a list of harmful ingredients in OTC drugs that I promised my DH I would research online, my coffee cup and hand lotion and well... it finally gets hard to even find my pencil cup! And the question is.... How Does This Happen?!! I have concluded that this is as insidious as weight gain! I looked for folders to file some of this "stuff" away and .. just as I thought... there are none. Oh well... it's just a short trip to Office Depot... sigh

Of Clocks, Eggs and Darn! It's Hot!

2010-08-01T08:23:00.000-05:00

My sweet DH has been working in the shop for a while now. He finished his clock and it's lovely. He's made 11 clocks and there are only 5 here in the house. I told him that this one is mine.. ;o) ... and not to be given away...lol Every clock he makes is lovely. This one is solid oak...as are most of the clocks he designs and builds. There is more oak in the shop... and he's already planning the next clock.. ;o)

When I started spinning I began to learn to knit socks. Now I knit "sleep socks" for my DH to keep his feet warm at night. This prevents the "charlie horses" and cramps that send him on his midnight prowls through the house in search of relief.

Of course, with all the scooting of the heels and sides of the socks across the sheets, pretty soon little holes begin to appear that are pretty rapidly followed by big holes. I found a You Tube video ... here ... that showed me how to darn socks. I bought a couple of darning eggs...alas they were too small. I found that the only thing that was big enough and easy enough to use was an incandescent light bulb.

Now I know that my hands are strong ... sort of... but not really strong enough to crunch an incandescent light bulb. (I hope not anyway). But I never could quite get past the sensation that if I wasn't careful I'd be picking tiny pieces of glass out of his sock...and possibly my hands... Sooo.. when he came across these 3" finials on one of his wood shop odds and ends sites online and asked me if I could use them for my painted eggs hobby... I immediately thought of darning eggs.

While he worked on his clock, I was drawing, wood burning and painting this egg. It has several coats of polyurethane on it to help protect it from the needle, but I will have to use it for a while to see how well it works. It fits perfectly in the heel of his socks and is easy for me to hold and control while I'm darning... loving it. Keeping my fingers crossed that the finish holds.. ;o)

Here in North Texas it's supposed to be 105° today and tomorrow. They are telling us that the humidity should only be around 30%, so perhaps it will only feel like 105°... we can only hope... This will be a really good time for air conditioned spinning... ;o)

I hope all have a good day today.. and... as my grandmother used to say...
"When you have a flat on your car...relax.. It's God's way of protecting you from that big truck that's down the road."

Curves and Kids.. I Am So Loving It!

2010-07-20T12:10:00.000-05:00

I was out running around a week or so ago. Errands, hair cut..that sort of thing. I found myself across the street from our local Curves. I have been looking at the sign every time I go to the bookstore or to have my hair done for a long time. I decided to stop in and find out what it was all about. I knew right away that this was something I could do.So I jumped in with both feet and boy oh boy.. is it ever great. I've only been going a week and already find myself with more energy than I've had in a long time. (Make that a "very" long time.) Everyone is pleasant and welcoming.. makes me look forward to going... Imagine me looking forward to exercising..lol

I can't believe I haven't put the pictures up of the kids visit.. ;o( So I will now.

First, of course, is my sweet Hannah. This is our only grand daughter and she is now 2 years old. She's not too sure about her first trip to Texas and all these new people so it was quite the visit. Her Aunt Loretta is holding her... Hannah calls her Nana. Son Phil and Loretta have never had children so this was pretty wonderful to watch.. ;o)

This is Dad.. son Chuck. Talk about a doting
father.. ;o) I just love it.

Two more sons.. Phil and John with very talented daughter in law Tomomi..

What a wonderful visit. Makes me (almost) wish they were all small again.. ;o)

It's hot, hot, hot. My grapevine out back wilts low every afternoon. It perks back up when the sun goes down, but it sure is being stressed. I see a few clouds popping up in the southwest but that really doesn't mean much here. I think the weather definitely has a mind of it's own and will do just as it pleases... does that remind any of teenagers.. ?? ;o)

Just to leave on a reality note.. A woman never realizes that her mother is right until she's about 40... too late.. she already has a daughter that knows she wrong.. ;o) Have a good day.. ;o)

What's up with my Blogger comments?

2010-07-01T07:46:00.000-05:00

I clicked when I should have clacked a day or so ago when I was checking the new designs for Blogger and found myself with a new look whether I wanted it or not...lol Isn't it always the way with curiosity? Anyway, I find that with a little tweaking I really do like the new look... even better than the old one. There's just one problem... my comments are not showing up at all. ????? I have it set up to send comments to me as e-mail, so I know I have some. I have even answered with a comment... but they don't show up. Anyone have any ideas what to do about that? I've tried everything I can think of... sigh

Welcome, Little Levi.. ;o)

2010-06-30T08:58:00.001-05:00

Good morning all... What a lovely sunrise this morning! The picture just doesn't do it justice.
We had a little rain yesterday, but not much. It's really nice to see everything green for a little longer.

My Aunt Edna and Uncle Bobby have a brand new (their first) great grandson. His name is Levi and he was born yesterday morning. What a little cutie he is! My the time does fly... I carried little Levi's grandfather around when he was tiny...walking the floor with him until he would go to sleep...

Not much crafting going on this week. Plans are being made for the July Craft Saturday at the museum. Nothing set in stone yet, but lots of ideas.

I'm loving this... ;o) This is a magnetic board from Knit Picks that my friend Marianne gave to me. I've wanted one for quite a while... just never seemed to be the right time to order it. And it works every bit as well as I hoped it would. Thanks, Marianne.. ;o)

Love and Intrusion

2010-06-28T12:43:00.003-05:00

This is a poem that I wrote in 2001... I found it in some papers that had been stashed. It was submitted to Poetry.com and I only found it when I found the letters telling me that it was to be published on a compact disc and cassette tape as a deluxe three-album set. ... amazing...

Love and Intrusion
© Linda Ingram

I sit in silence, watching the activity around me
Knowing that in the heart of my loved one
Love and Intrusion sit side by side
In the depths of his heart...
Wondering when one or the other
Will Stand
And push the issue
Of my presence.

Summer, The Class and the Crepe Myrtles...

2010-06-28T08:37:00.006-05:00

It's hot outside. As a result there is a lot of staying inside or doing the smart thing.... run to the car and jump in..drive to point B and jump out... run to the door of said point B. Thank goodness for the intermittent showers we've had.

The class at the museum is done.. ;o) It went really well and everyone had fun. The bad thing is that I was so busy I forgot to take pictures until everyone was gone! This is my friend Marianne (in white t-shirt) and Jessica helping me put everything away. Fun day..;o) Now to come up with something creative for next month... thinking along the lines of Beaded Wishes...

It's funny that since we have stopped feeding the birds..(due to an infestation of mice in the shop where the food was kept)... it seems that now the grapes actually have a chance to fruit. I think the Cardinals were eating them and feeding them to their babies before they had a chance to grow. Personally I would rather have the Cardinals...lol... but not real happy with the mice... soooo

The Crepe Myrtles are beginning to bloom and I love it. They are one of my favorite flowering bushes of all time... and the color of ours really shines against all that green in the meadow.

As we drive through town it just make for something beautiful to see in almost every block of town.

We are expecting our son and daughter in law from Michigan next week so this will be a week of cleaning...lol I can hardly wait for them to get here. And there is a possibility... perhaps...that the beautiful tiny granddaughter will get to come visit too.

Hope you have a lovely day... and week.. ;o)

It's Friday Again...

2010-06-11T07:20:00.005-05:00

My husband and I have decided that every day is Friday... It seems that no matter what happens, if one of us asks the other "What day is it?".. the answer is invariably "Friday!".

I am finally finished with all the things necessary for the class on Tablet Weaving that I will be teaching at the Red River Historical Museum on Saturday, May 19, 2010. I talk more about that on my blog Fabric Follies Two .

The year is slipping by but I finally did get some flowers and things planted along the front of the house. I love driving up and seeing flowers instead of an empty looking house.. amazing how flowers are so welcoming.. ;o) This is the second year for the hawthorne shrubs and the first year for the artemesia. Getting impatient for everything to round out. ;o)

It's been so long since I've blogged that a whole host of things have been happening. My sweet DH has found the joys of ebay... ;o) I now have 5 (that's five...!) usable spinning wheels, 1 flax wheel that needs a little work and 1 antique wheel that I've had for a while. Amazing.. ;o) He is encouraging me to give some classes in spinning to see if we can't build up a little more interest in this area. And that's exactly what I intend to do.. as soon as the Tablet Weaving Class is finished at the Museum.

This is the Ashford Traditional. I find that I enjoy the fact that this wheel is a little taller and larger than my Kromski, it is very stable... but is a little harder to treadle.

It came with Angora goat curls.. wow.. have not only never spun them, but have never seen them before. They feel silky and I'm going to have to find out if they need to be processed into sliver before I spin them. They are VERY clean...

More on each wheel in the days to come..

Son Phil and his wife were on vacation a while back and one day I receive this call out of the blue..
"Mom.. I'll bet you never thought we'd be in a place like this.. !" They were in Earth Guild at Asheville, North Carolina.

All I can say is "Wish I was there!" They had a wonderful time and he said they were amazed at all the things they found there. (Just so you know... none of my children had ever seen a spindle, spinning wheel or raw wool until I began my fiber arts journey. ;o) Then a few weeks later, guess what arrived in the mail... !! This is merino... and I can't wait to start spinning it.

I hope you have a good weekend... We don't have anything special planned, but am looking forward to a trip to McKinney in the near future... The antique stores and downtown restaurants are calling... I hear them clearly... ;o)

Sunday... A Day of Gratitude

2010-04-18T11:22:00.005-05:00

It's been a long time since I blogged things that I am grateful for.... so I think today is a good day for that..

It's raining outside... a soft, easy rain that is saturating the ground. Very good for the St. Augustine sod we had laid last month. It seems that one good rain is better than all the city water in the world.

Ice... I can't imagine what it must have been like to have lived without ice.

The color blue... my sweet DH's favorite.

Flour tortillas... heat with butter in a skillet, turn 'em over and sprinkle all over with cinnamon/sugar...when light brown on that side just fold it over and put it on a plate... dig in... yum...yum..

Memorabilia... those little things given to us that are a reminder of the thoughtfulness of those we hold dear.

Fingers... so much accomplished with them.

Throw pillows...comfort in a small package.

Ancestors... good, bad, indifferent.... they made us who we are.

Music... a gift from the gods...

Dust bunnies... a reminder that we have a home to clean.

Mississippi Squirrel Revival by Ray Stevens... brings out the peals of laughter from young and old alike.

Children... always a source of laughter and joy and all things new and wonderful...

This is my late brother's granddaughter, Marli.. isn't she a jewel? ;o)

And this is Jayke... my late brother's other granddaughter... such a little beauty... ;o)

And here's a thought to ponder...

Aerodynamically the bumblebee should not be able to fly... but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway. ..... Mary Kay Ash

Hope your Sunday is wonderful. ;o)

Ebay Day and More

2010-04-17T18:53:00.005-05:00

I seem to have spent the entire day with the new laptop sitting at the kitchen table uploading things for our ebay shop... whew... Add to that a chair pulled up along side, left foot up in that chair and an ice pack on the shin and it leads to a rather long, very cool day. But I must say that I am pleased with the amount of work done.

I think I have come up with a naalbinding stitch that I just love. Not sure yet how I will actually use it since I'm not very good at turning corners, but I will definitely find a way. It looks almost woven. I think the Hansen listing would be UOO/UUOO B1. I have no idea what the name of this stitch might be.

It rained today. One of those soft, easy rains that left everything glistening like tiny diamonds flickering in the sunlight. I took some pictures of the flowers...

These are the bluebonnets that I so look forward to every year. They bloom on the shoulder of the highway just across from our house.

This is Indian Hawthorn. I planted them last year, so this is the first blooming. I love them.

Never been able to keep a geranium alive, but this one is really surprising me. I put a little fertilizer in the water when I watered it and boy..did it ever go to town. This is on the front porch. I'm thinking that if I break off a branch it will be easy to propagate. I'll give it a little longer to just grow then you can bet at least 2 or 3 branches will be sacrificed to try it. ;o)

All in all it has been a really good day...even with the leg up on a chair.

A friend of mine put something up on Facebook today that I thought was wonderful... It goes like this....

"Your life is your garden

Your thoughts are your seeds,

So if your life isn't awesome

You've been watering the weeds."

Have to say it hit home a bit.. ;o) Working on that....

Hope your day was awesome and you have a great one tomorrow...

It's Friday ... again!

2010-04-16T07:47:00.004-05:00

My DH and I have found that as we grow older the weeks pass so quickly that it's always Friday...lol I have committed to blog every day this week...and the week is almost over and no blogging. I will try to make up for it with reminiscences of the week...

Monday was a busy day. Photographing and editing the photos of books and things for the ebay shop... Butterfield Mercantile... Had to reschedule an appointment that I missed... so much for the memory that wandered off the lane... ;o) I remember thinking how good it is that ebay is available and we can do this from home at this time in our lives

Tuesday was appointment day. I spent a lot of the day on my feet and by evening my lower leg was swollen and uncomfortable.... Did I tell you that I fell INTO the bathtub? Banged up my lower left leg a bit... black and blue but no bones broken... And for that a thankful thought went up for the day...

Wednesday... another appointment day. I have been feeling so much better with a lift in the depression after the deaths in my family. My thankful thought for that day... and I remember thinking and pondering it... Thank goodness for the new medications of the today that actually work. And for the change in attitude about seeking out help for personal problems... so much better than even 20 years ago.

Thursday... very early appointment with Dr. Truly about my leg. I knew it wasn't broken and that it was completely soft tissue damage, but it looked red and had a considerable amount of heat (fever) in it...but no cellulitis right now. Thank goodness...

I bought a laptop computer yesterday. It has been a biggy on my list of things I would like to have for quite a long time. It was a frustrating thing for me when it came time to set it up...I didn't know that the wireless router that we had put in had the wrong time and every time I tried to set up my laptop it would tell me I couldn't do that...the time on my computer was wrong.. boy... I was about ready to spit! When I got up to walk away and re-group, I thought about the fact that I even have one...sigh... Talk about a sudden dose of humility... ;o)

And then there's today... Up early, looking out the window as I post and loving the green of the trees. I think I will plant some forsythia down in the meadow this year. It needs a little burst of color here and there.

Thought for today... families may not always ( or ever) be what we think they should be, but they are ours... and we may not agree with anything they do or say, but for the most part if an open mind is kept, they have reason for what they think or believe. And who are we to say that our way is the only way....???

Today in My Life 04/04/2010

2010-04-04T06:57:00.008-05:00

Today in my life: the sun is just beginning to bring a little reflected light over the trees in the meadow. Not that bright, warm yellow kind... the faded gray of the day begins to show a little consciousness, stretch a bit and decide whether it really wants to get up or not.

I got up this morning: stumbled into the kitchen, made coffee and emptied the dishwasher. By the time that was done, I should have been awake... not so... still propping the eyes open after 3/4 of the first cup.

I am hearing: in my head someone say "I don't believe it!"... do you suppose if " I don't believe it" is said long enough and strong enough... it really will be "not true"? The child in me would love to believe that, but the adult says... ah well.... and smiles...

I am thinking: that I should hurry up and get a picture of the redbud with all the green behind it before it all changes... ;o(

The current book: is... ta da... drum roll... a re-read of the first sci-fi book that I totally fell in love with... The Belgariad Trilogy ...

From the family: comes these lovely plants from Aunt Edna and Uncle Bobby. I want to get what she told me down in writing since my memory took a hike about a decade ago.. ;o)

The large plant is a bromeliad that is only one of several Edna has growing in her glassed in porch. Beautiful and doing so well... I'm impressed with myself...lol The small packs are airplane plants, the wandering jew is about to bloom and the small plant in with the wandering jew is an oxygen plant...all of these also from Aunt Edna's "porch
greenhouse". That leaves the one that looks like a thick, broad mother-in-law's tongue. Long story.... in 1954 when I was about 7 and staying with my grandparents we would visit my grandfather's brother who lived in Stonewall, OK. His name was Tom and his wife's name was Etta... This plant is the proginy of Aunt Etta's plant... (Everyone used the "Yankee" Eastern pronounciation of her name... she was called "Aunt Etter"... ;o)

I am so pleased to have these plants. Thank you, Edna and Bobby...

From the learning desk: I am working hard at making examples of useful things that can be done with card weaving to show my class in June. Yesterday I began this watchband. It's turning out really pretty and I'm hoping that when I put the findings on it will still be pretty... ;o)

Plans for the coming week: I think it's about time for a trip to McKinney. It's been a while and I need to check out the Michael's store for thread and yarn.

I've been working on a handbook for card weaving, but have almost decided to do a video instead. We'll see...

Thought for today: "Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life." ... S. D. Gordon

I hope you have a lovely Easter. Hug your family close and bask in the beauty of this holiday...

March 28, 2010

2010-03-28T09:23:00.005-05:00

I could think of no title for this post. I really like the format of a journal, but I don't like the idea of using someone else's and therefore having to link back to their site. I don't know why that is... I just don't. Probably because my memory has taken a hike and sometimes I forget...leaving me feeling like I have committed the unforgivable sin... ;o) I will keep working on it and come up with something....

The Memorial Service for my brother was yesterday and went well. It was good to see everyone and learn that Curtis and Rosalie will be moving closer in a few weeks. We will even be able to visit after being apart for the last 40 years... ;o) How cool is that?

We are considering an e-store on ebay to sell books... not that we would ever have excess books...lol Stay tuned... more on that as the story breaks.. ;o)

The office floor is fixed at last... no more loose tiles. Just hope this spring is not as wet as last spring and maybe it will stay that way. DH says that if it does it again all the concrete under there will have to come out and be replaced.

Why are they allowed to have so much bone ground up in hamburger? I just want to know. Don't they ever have teeth break while eating a hamburger... ????? sigh

Today In My Life....March 24, 2010

2010-03-24T07:16:00.006-05:00

Today in my life: March 24, 2010

I got up this morning: bleary eyed but with enthusiasm. The tile on the office floor will be fixed today. No more fear of either breaking it more than it is or of me falling on my fanny every time I step on a loose one... :o)

I am hearing: the movement of traffic out on the highway. It's funny how it's almost never noticed any other time but in the quiet of the morning.

The current book: is by Robert B. Parker .. He's a new author we are reading after seeing Tom Sellick as Jesse Stone in a couple of "made for television" movies. Love them.

Creating: Many things over the last few weeks. One of them is a small needle tatted doily. I am so enjoying this craft. Very easy to do, very easy to carry with me when I need something for my hands to do on a trip or a visit to the doctor.

As I look out: the season is finally changing and Spring is here. I am so ready for this change. The gray days are wonderful after a long, hot summer... but it sure seemed like we had more than we needed this year.. ;o)

I am thinking: that I should be grateful for all the little things in my life...and some big ones too. In a time of sorrow it's really easy to forget all the good little things... like memories...

Plans for the rest of the week: My brother's memorial will be this weekend in the town where our family has lived for at least 150 years. At least 4 generations are buried there.

From the learning desk: Have finished 15 tape looms to use with the class I will teach at Red River Historical Museum in June. The cards (8 each) are finished and tied together. The pattern is printed off. Now have to put together an instruction booklet and cut all the yarn for each packet. Still have to make about 100 rice bags to use for weights... But it's all coming together.. ;o) Looking forward to this.

Just a thought: "A home is not a mere transient shelter: it's essence lies in the personalities of the people who live in it." H.L. Mencken

Hello, Patty... ;o)

2010-03-03T09:08:00.008-06:00

Hi everyone. I know it's been a long time. I could use the excuse of Facebooking again, but the fact is that I am having a hard time coming to grips with the loss of both my brother and my sister. This makes it a little hard for me to come up with something more than a Facebook line or two to write. But since my friend Patty from Virginia keeps giving me little nudges... here I am.. ;o)

Our sons from Phoenix came home last month to get their house ready to sell. I'm sorry they are selling the house and moving permanently to Arizona, but it was really good to see them. During the visit, Jim taught me another craft...lol Needle tatting... I love it. I seem to do the same thing trying to learn this that I did trying to learn knitting. I get lost in the pattern and then have to pull out large amounts of it...and believe...frogging tatting is not nearly as easy as frogging knitting..lol He blogs about it..and other things.. on his blog Creating a Home. I completed a medium sized, red bookmark as the first thing I did...but .. believe me... you don't want to see it..lol This is the second thing I completed. I have no idea what to do with it, but the pattern was so easy I made 3. ;o) I think I will join them together, make a 4th and have myself a medium sized doily. Ta da! Hmmmm...maybe that should be "make a 4th, join them together and have a doily.."... that might work better..lol

I also committed myself to teach another class at the Red River Historical Museum the 3rd Saturday in June. This class will be tablet weaving... We (as in my sweet DH and myself) are in the process of building 15 looms for this class. The photo is of 120 cards that are in the process of being made...8 per loom... to weave this pattern...

This is also the type loom we are building. I am hoping this will be a fun and informative class... and they the student will love this as much as I do.

The ribbon on the left was done using 10 cards and polyester sewing thread. It came out lovely. There will be several more ribbons made of various materials before class time comes around so I will have some samples to show what can be done with craft.

Card Weaving Loom and Naalbinding

2010-01-22T10:48:00.008-06:00

I find that when I am in an emotional upheaval I want to eat. This is not good when you are trying to lose weight... hmmm

I have been fairly busy even though I have spent an inordinate amount of time on Facebook lately. I am currently working on the first cardweaving loom I made. I have taken it apart and drawn on some relatively easy patterns, a few instructions on it's use, woodburned all of that and then painted it. I am using a rub on polyurethane finish for it and an hoping that will be enough protection for the paint. It should be finished in a day or so...depending on drying time for the finish.

Naalbinding has not been neglected... ;o) This bag was done using the Oslo stitch and some hand spun. I love the softness of this bag. The scarf is done using several small end pieces of handspun that I wanted to use up. It was done with all the stitches facing one way...each row ended and the next row began at the top each time. I was amazed at the how the underside looks EXACTLY like knitting when done that way.

Larry Ingram

2010-01-21T10:59:00.004-06:00

Larry Ingram

He had more energy in his left arm than I did in my whole body... ;o) We played cowboys and indians, made a "home" out of an old chicken house, used tow sacks to make a saddle for our fallen tree "horse" and played with his pet possum... We got off the bus at the corner to walk the mile home (risking the wrath of Grandma), picked her wildflower bouquets and loved her vinegar pie. We took turns putting our head in Dad's lap on those long car trips, spent our dimes on Saturday buying comic books and loved the hamburger steak smothered with chili beans in a downtown diner with Dad...

Time changes things and we grow up but the memories never leave. And I am so thankful for that.

August 10, 1949-January 19, 2010
He was my brother.

It's Been a While....

2010-01-05T10:55:00.006-06:00

Hello everyone... It's been a while. I got totally caught up in Facebook and being able to talk almost instantly with my family that ... well... you could say that I grew addicted...lol Anyway, hopefully the new is about off it and things will get back to normal. ;o)

We had our first snow last month...very unusual for this time of year. I don't mind the snow or bad weather as long as I don't have to go out in it..

Christmas was good... Sons in from Arizona and daughter and her family in from Oklahoma for a bit... Another bit of wonderment.. Her oldest son was married over the holidays. On the 30th. Wow! Doesn't seem possible. Just yesterday I was sitting in the nursery in Kentucky and feeding him a bottle... Congratulations again, Will and Savannah...

Will and Steven are two of the four grandsons that we have in the military. Steven ( in the dress uniform) will be leaving before long for Afghanistan. Will will finish training and will then head for Iraq. May the world soon regain some sanity.......

It's Holiday Time...or How to Make Cranberry Relish...

2009-12-07T16:07:00.013-06:00

I was talking with my daughter this morning. This is what she wants for Christmas... ;o)

Cranberry Orange Relish

Gather ingredients...

1 pkg. fresh cranberries
1 medium orange
1/2 stick cinnamon
1 cup sugar

Because I wanted to can this batch, I placed 3
half pint jars in water to cover and the lids in water and placed both on the stove to bring to a boil. There is no need to boil the screw caps since they will not be in contact with the food or the lip of the jar. (If you have never canned fresh fruit, I would suggest you go here to learn how to do home canning.)

Wash the cranberries and pick out any soft or bad ones. Pick the stems. Wash the orange with a veggie wash. Place the cinnamon in a medium saucepan. I used navel oranges so I cut the pithy ends off my orange. Cut the orange into quarters. Place 1/2 the orange and 1/2 the cranberries into a blender or food processor and grind. Empty into your saucepan and repeat with the other half. Add the sugar and stir to mix well.

Place on medium heat and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Meanwhile, the jars have been boiling and sterilizing while relish has been prepared.

Using a pair of tongs, pick up one jar and pour the water out. Sit as closely to your cooking relish as possible and using a metal spoon ladle the relish into the sterilized jars. Try not to get any on the lip of the jar as this will stop the lid from sealing. If you do get some on the lip, use a damp cloth to wipe the rim of the jar. Using tongs, dip a lid out of the boiling water and place on jar. Place the screw cap on the jar and tighten just finger tip tight...not screwed on hard.

Since I know these will be used within the next 2 weeks, I placed these back in the same boiling water for a 10 minute boiling hot water bath. If I wanted to keep these for a year, I would use a much bigger hot water bath pan and the water MUST cover the jars at least an inch. The hot water bath is make sure the heat inside the center of the jar reaches high enough temperature and maintains it long enough to kill any lingering bacteria.

After the 10 minute hot water bath the relish is removed from the hot water using the tongs and is wiped with a clean dishtowel. They are placed on a clean dishtowel to cool for several hours or overnight. The lids should pop and form a suction. When pressed in the center the lids should not give any... If it does move up or down when pressed, then the seal has not sealed well enough and you should place in the refrigerator and use within a week or so.

This recipe can be used (without the cinnamon) as a fresh relish and requires NO Cooking... if you want to make it the day of or the day before it is eaten. To keep for any length of time it should be cooked and/or canned.

If you try this, please use caution since you will be dealing with very hot, boiling liquids.

I do so love this stuff..lol This is the second batch I have made since before Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy this little tute... Daughter mine... ;o)

Today in My Life... November 30, 2009

2009-11-30T06:50:00.012-06:00

Today: November 30, 2009

I got up this morning: very early. It's still cold, but if I turn up the heat it bothers my sweet DH and he gets in a frightful mood... lol And besides..if it were very cold I would just put on socks and dig out that wonderful huge shawl that I love to wear in the winter. It's going to be a lovely, clear day today, but am already missing all the green leaves on the trees...

I am hearing: him move around, turn on the faucet and click down the hall. ;o)

The current book is: Four Blind Mice by James Patterson. I'm not sure I can finish it this time around (already read it at 3 times...) Seem to be needing to try some other genre than the murder mystery... just can't find anything that will hold my attention..sigh

Creating: I have done several things since the last time I posted... The quilt is finished.

This is my very first bedsized quilt. It is a queen and I found it not difficult at all. But then it was an easy one..lol But now I have the confidence to continue on to one that is more difficult.

Another of the small pastels that I do in the evenings...

Knitted two scarves from my handspun Merino. Both used Yarn Harlot's One Row Scarf Pattern...

The other scarf is exactly the same knitting pattern, but is a deeper burgundy than this one. Love this pattern.. simple, pretty and warm. Drapes well...

I found a free pattern on Ravelry for a men's cowl that I wanted to do for one of my sons who feels he wouldn't use a scarf very much, so I did it. I used my handspun Merino lamb..... It's my first try at doing cables and found they were not nearly the ogre stitch I thought they would be. Finished it, bound off, wove in loose ends and found that in at least 2 places I had dropped stitches off the ends of the double point needles that I used... Terribly disappointed. I tried to pick them up with crochet hooks and succeeded in one place, but cannot seem to succeed in the other one. This may get frogged and redone with another set of needles. Anyway, the small needles that were called for in the pattern seem to be too small for this yarn... the cowl is very stiff and if it shrinks at all will be too small for him... hmmm

Family news: Daughter Bev and her husband Kent were here for a couple of days over the holiday. Kent had to pop in just overnight due to work schedule, but was terrific to get to see them.

My diet: took a couple of days off while they were here. I made some luscious cranberry/orange relish and canned it... Could eat my weight in that stuff...lol

May have to buy more cranberries and make enough to last all year... ;o)

The coming of daughter and son in law was all the excuse I needed to make banana bread.. ;o) Made a large loaf and then 4 small loaves.

Yum... Yum...

Have to add in here that I have lost 30 pounds, so felt that perhaps it would be ok to backslide for a day or two. Am truly happy about the loss and will have no problem getting back to business...lol However..that is said with a serious caveat... this is once a year holiday season with fruit cake and eggnog..lol.. and I will have both before this is over... ;o)

Looking forward to: Christmas... ;o) Will be putting up my tree this year after not putting it up last year. The holidays just are not the holidays without some kind of decoration and that makes it all too depressing.... instead of happy....

Just a thought: Be faithful to that which exists nowhere but in yourself - and thus make yourself indispensable. ... Andrew Gide

Today in My Life... 11/10/2009

2009-11-10T09:51:00.010-06:00

Today: November 10, 2009 Tuesday

I got up this morning: stumbled to the bathroom and then immediately got on the scales... So pleased to have lost once again to 181... will not give up until I pass the 179 mark this week..

I am hearing: the click of my SDH (sweet DH ) as he plays solitaire on his pc...

The current book is: The Collectors by David Baldacci... for at least the 5th time... I messed up a while back and misstated the author of The Camel Club... it is not James Patterson.. it's David Baldacci. Sorry...

Creating: Several things this past week... I started this quilt top a couple of days ago. It should be finished today and hopefully quilted tomorrow... Nothing like a little optimism..lol

Earlier this week I found a couple of oak dowels that were just lying around in the shop. Sooo.. I cut them in half, ground the tips to a point, sanded them well then brought them inside and broke off a piece of scented candle and rubbed them for all I was worth... Wow... so smooth and smell so good.. Voila' !! Knitting needles... size 17 and size 12...

The Harp has been re-tied after having the weaving cut off due to a broken warp. This is Romney wool single plied with polyester sewing thread and kool aid dyed. The fabric is very nice, but has a bit of an open weave. I don't know if it will full up a bit or not since I abused the yarn about as badly as I know how... (thanks for that tip, Abby Franquemont!)... in hopes that the final product will be much less fragile... As of last night, I only have about 6 inches left and this will be done.

I'm not sure what store we were in but there on the shelf (for almost nothing) were a couple of artist journals... one for watercolor and another for pastels... Well, you know I just couldn't leave them there so they followed me home.. imagine that... It has be so much fun sitting and doodling at night watching tv...

Anything new: is the discovery of Facebook. I am not altogether comfortable with all the family links and personal stuff that can be deduced from these sites, but I do enjoy having the ability to be in contact with so many in the family on a daily basis... Love that...

A Special Tribute

2009-11-02T10:48:00.003-06:00

This is my brother Larry. Several years ago he wrote this .. and I love it.

A Special Tribute

I was driving I-40 the other day, listening to the C.B... not much to say... when I heard a young hot shot, loud and clear, bad mouth a waitress I hold so dear. We are both old now, and needless to say, she has more miles on her than me and my old Pete today.

Thirty years is a long time to anyone in this line of work, but I couldn't do her job, no way. I wouldn't put up with the jerks. I remember sitting in that cafe a long time ago... I was young, she was still pretty as a rose petal, covered with morning dew...eyes shining, beautiful hair too.

I saw her give food to a family that couldn't pay, then pull out her tips she worked for all day. "I'm sorry it's not more", she said to the man, picked up the child while she shook his hand. Then hugged his wife and with a tear in her eye she said, "Always look up... you see a blue sky." Then turned around, went back to work pouring this coffee for some back then jerk.

I stop in every chance I get, just to say hello and remember a bit. We laugh and carry on about what we've been through, still listen to Bill Mac, and wish Conway was here too. Maybe one day ol Garth will put words to what I'm feeling and put an end to this jerk's thinking.

Then everyone across the country will know... My Mother is the waitress I talk of long ago. She's been down the road, thrown all the curves... so give her a break. That's the best she deserves.

Larry Ingram

Today in My Life... 10/28/2009

2009-10-28T08:01:00.007-05:00

Today: October 28, 2009

I got up this morning: very early. Before 5. But since I was totally awake I just got up. Didn't make coffee until almost 6 and then wondered why I was in such a hurry for it take 3 minutes making the coffee... duh... lol

I am hearing: the whir of the electronics in this room. Too early for any other noise except the horrible sound of this new keyboard (that I love except for the sound). The keys are harder to press than my previous board and each one makes this sound of someone pounding on a wall with a hammer... sigh

The current book is: The Bourne Deception by hmmm... says Robert Ludlum's... but then on the bottom of the cover it says "A new Jason Bourne novel by Eric Van Lustbader"... hmm.. guess that means he's the ghost writer... Anyway, just couldn't get into the Piers Anthony fantasy.. maybe will try again later...but probably not.

My diet: is still hanging on. I have plateau-ed at about 181...182... Still holding out for breaking that 180 mark..

Creating:

Yesterday I dyed the merino yarn that was spun during the previous week. The red and pink are bulky 3 ply. The purple is merino single plyed with silver polyester sewing thread. That will be used to weave something... not sure what yet..

I finally got the lizard/dragon worked out on the inkle loom. It still has some places that are done wrong...but maybe when I do it again it will be better...

The stand for the swift works really well. The design is a bit flawed and the screws had to be put in from the top on the legs, but it works great and I like it... ;o)

Family news: Don't you hate it when you just skim over things and miss the important ones? I found an email this morning from my second cousin that I saw for the first time in many, many years at the family reunion. I seldom use my gmail... don't know why that is the one I put on my cards..duh Anyway, it was so good to see her and her sisters and the email was just a bonus on top!

Looking forward to: going out to eat... !!! The diet has prohibited it for a long while now and it will be a real treat... ;o)

Just a thought: "Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. " .... Mark Twain

Today in My Life... 10/24/2009

2009-10-24T07:21:00.009-05:00

Today: Saturday, October 24, 2009

I got up this morning: thinking about dragons... I know that sounds strange..lol.. but I have been trying to get the pattern for this dragon to work on my inkle loom for hours..sigh I can get the tail to look beautiful, but then into the body it just disintegrates..sigh

I am hearing: the trucks whiz by on the highway outside. It's too early for the regular automobile traffic going to work.

My one thing learned this week: is that I need to start physically writing letters instead using email. Sounds strange after using only email for most of the last 10 years, but it suddenly impressed itself on me when I got a short email from one of my sons and I realized that it's been years since I have seen his handwriting... ;o(

The current book is: Air Apparent by Piers Anthony. It's too soon to say whether it will grab my interest as I just started it last night. So far it's only skimmed the top layers of my interest. Not looking too good at this point.

My diet: is the the Cabbage Soup diet. Still in the low 180s and truly looking forward to breaking through that 180 line. Maybe this week....

Creating: Since I finished the checkers board and pieces, I decided to make a Wahoo board out in the shop. I had a piece of the pine used for the checker board left over so I spent most of one afternoon figuring out the dots for the marble holes. Yesterday I put the holes in and did some sanding. We'll see what happens today... lol

Family news: Received a call from my Aunt Elva this week. It was wonderful to hear her voice on the phone. I saw her for the first time in about 35 years at the family reunion this year.

Looking forward to: using the hot tub since the little house is now fixed and it won't run down the hill with us...lol

Just a thought: "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." ... Winston Churchill

Today in my LIfe.... 10/18/2009

2009-10-18T06:47:00.008-05:00

Today: October 18, 2009

I got up this morning: at a little after 6, made a pot of tea for me and coffee for DH...turned on the computers and realized it has been 10 days since I have blogged here...

The weather is: much cooler in the mornings and the evenings. I have had to pull out my heavy terrycloth robe and every time I put it on I smile as I think of son and son-in-law who gave it to me for Christmas a couple of years ago.

I am hearing: my sweet DH as he putters about getting his coffee. The clock that he made is bonging 7:00am. It has such a nice tonal sound.

My one thing learned this week: It's easy to move the warp of the large inkle loom if you use both hands... pull up with the left hand and down with the right hand and the warp slides easily across the pegs.

The current book: is Easy Prey by John Sandford. It's a Lucas Davenport novel and I like him almost as much as Alex.

My diet: has changed from the Atkins diet to the Cabbage Soup diet. I like this one because it has so much more diversity in what I can eat. And it is working...lol This morning... 182... that's 24 pounds... yayyy 36 to go...

Family news: Another grandson has left for the Army. That makes 4 grandsons in the Armed Forces right now... Dustin, Joe, Steven and now William. We are very proud of them... and wishing the world would regain a bit of sanity...

My brother Larry has become a Grandpa again. His son Brian has a new baby girl named Margaret Jane... They call her Maggie... and Maggie's older sister is Mandie.. ;o)

Looking forward to: a visit from daughter and grandsons before Steve has to return to duty at Fort Riley...

Just a thought: Mark Twain says... "Be careful about reading health books... You may die of a misprint."

Warped, Painted and Raining

2009-10-08T07:08:00.003-05:00

The checkers and checker board are finished. All the time I was working on this I had pictures of my grandfather floating around in my head. He loved to play checkers and dominoes. And he was very good at it...lol Of course there was no television and the radio was only turned on in the evening... if there was no company. If there was company all the men gathered around the kitchen table and the dominoes or the checker board was pulled out from the cabinet above the refrigerator and the men would proceed to have a laughing good time... ;o) I can only hope that this board will be privy to good times like that.....

Only a day late... here is the promised pic of the inkle loom warped. It was not difficult as I used only 2 colors and did a continuous warp. Of course I did exactly what Linda Hendrickson talked about in her video... When I was turning the cards I found that I had dropped 2 at one time. Well, let me tell you... they turn just as easily as if I had pulled it off and re warped... Since this is another "learn something" warping I did not re-do it. I have to say... I highly recommend this floor model loom to anyone looking into tablet, card or inkle weaving. The height is very good, the warping is easy and it is so much easier to control the cards... I just can't say enough good things about this type of loom. One of the best things is that it doesn't try to run to the other side of the room every time you slide the cards... a very big plus.

Well, it has taken up raining as a hobby in North Texas. Every time it seems that the ground will dry up enough to work on the little house... humph... The contractor did come yesterday just long enough to look around and put a sign up in the yard. Now all the neighbors think our home is having foundation problems... Let's just hope we don't decide to sell the house any time soon..lol

Of Checkers, Knit and Linen

2009-10-06T07:29:00.005-05:00

It's been raining again this week. I have given up on ever getting the little house fixed... The contractor called Monday morning and said it would not be good if they dug foundation holes and then they filled with water so we are once again on hold.... Just hope the little house knows to hold on... no pun intended... lol

We've been working in the shop and since I finished the floor inkle loom (which I finally got warped last night...pics tomorrow) I have had nothing to do...so I decided to make a checker board and checkers. This is the day before yesterday's pic. I have actually got the grid marked and the dark squares painted, but I think they will need a couple more than the 3 coats I have already put on them. The "king" side of the checkers has rosebuds painted on them... as in The War of the Roses. While the colors in this war were red and white roses, I used red and blue because..well...the white roses would not show up on the yellow. This should be finished by the end of the week.

This merino 3ply languished for a while in my stash. I just could not come up with anything new to make with it so I made another scarf, 57 inches long. It turned out really well and I love it.

This is the linen single that I took off the spinning wheel so I could spin the lemon Romney. I don't know how much there is, but there is still this much to be spun. The smallest heddle I have for my loom is 12 epi and I'm not sure that is small enough, but then it would make a light and airy fabric... hmmm Or...there is such thing as linsey-woolsey... a linen warp with a wool weft. hmmmm...

Oct. 5-11... National Spinners and Weavers Week

2009-10-01T09:49:00.010-05:00

Next week is National Spinners and Weavers Week... If you live near any yarn, fabric or fiber shops you might look for something special happening. It would be a good time to spin, weave or knit/crochet in public. I'm going to talk to the ladies at the library and see if they are having anything special...

The "sheep to shawl" shawl is finished...as of yesterday afternoon. The warp is 3 ply merino and 2 ply Cotswold...the weft is the 2 ply Cotswold and merino single plied with silk single... ooowww wonderful stuff. It finished at 74" length with an added 4" of fringe x 16" wide. According to the book, any time a person does leno weaving there is a narrowing of the width of the piece... so extra weft should be left... Well... it didn't seem to matter what I did, the leno would pull in. My advise... just plan your width around the width of the pulled in leno weave.

I love the way this turned out. I think I will add some beads and maybe some embroidery on the ends... We'll see...

DH and I are off to Durant to Ozark Mills today to get some more wool. While I have every intention of finishing the flax, it is not my favorite thing to spin. I find that it is almost like trying to spin twigs and occasionally hurts my fingers like I have stickers in them. The Cotswold was something new to me and I really enjoyed it. I think I will try at least one new kind of wool each time we go.

My diet is working extremely slow.... and to top that off... the steroid pack the doctor gave me for my wrist and elbow causes immediate weight gain. Sooo... doing nothing any different on my diet, I had an overnight weight gain of four (4) .. make that 4... pounds! But... lost a pound of it yesterday, so looks like I will have to lose all 4 again.. sigh Oh well... at least they are going...

Found some wonderful tea that I can drink with no sugar. I mean wonderful...

Have a good day....

Free Bookplates for your Home Library

2009-09-29T07:19:00.008-05:00

I love my books. While I don't have nearly as many as I have had at several times in my life, they are still very precious to me.

Today I came across a site that has LOTS of free bookplates ... and they are done in a fashion that will encourage kids to read. Love that... and I've even found some that are wonderful for us older "kids"...lol
It's called My Home Library.org

Like this one...lol It may seem to be in a bit of questionable taste for some, but those of us in our family will totally understand it! And know that we are not alone!

The Simple Woman's Daybook... September 22, 2009

2009-09-22T07:41:00.008-05:00

For today: September 22, 2009

Outside my window: the baby wrens fledged while we were gone. We went out to the shop, peeked into the nest and they were all gone except one egg that had not hatched. Since there was no sign of "foul" play...pardon the pun...lol... I can only hope that they fledged with no problem. Sure am sorry we were not here to see it... baby birds are so much fun to watch.

I am thinking: that today is the Autumn Equinox. Each day will get a little shorter... a little cooler.

From the learning room: the building of an inkle loom...really large... has been researched to death and with the assistance of my sweet DH, we have put one together.... trying this and that as we went. It will come together and come out of the shop today... yayyyy!

I am thankful for: paint. It covers a multitude of mistakes...lol

From the kitchen: comes nothing new. But I have lost almost 20 pounds... :o) We found some pickled (they call it "marinated") asparagus that works really well used cold right out of the fridge for lunch or a quick supper. And very few carbs... love that...

I am wearing: my pink gown... but will be wearing stretch denim slacks and a denim shirt as we will be working in the shop today.

I am reading: The Camel Club ... again... by James Patterson. I really must find a new author...sigh

I am hoping: that the rain continues to stay stopped and we can get the foundation stabilized on the shop....

I am creating: several things. I have a leno shawl on the Kromski Harp loom...a belt on the weaving sticks, a pair of fingerless gloves on the dpns, a neck scarf on the size 10 knitting needles, a star pattern band on the card weaving loom and flax yarn (linen) on the spinning wheel. There's also the cross stitch quilt blocks that were my mother's that I brought home to finish ... If I think of any more I think I'll keep them to myself...lol

I am hearing: the whir of the printer. It seems with each new one we get it is a little more complicated to work...

Around the house: the quilt hanger shelf that I finished a while back is still waiting to be hung. That will happen today (I hope!)

One of my favorite things: is my leather thimble. I can make them to fit me and they are so comfortable to use that I can hand sew for hours without discomfort....

A few plans for the rest of the week: include wearing the brace on my right wrist that the doctor gave (big laugh... "gave?") me yesterday. Have to wear it at night and as much during the day as possible for 3 weeks...ughh Taking the steroid dose pack beginning today and hoping that it works as well as the shot did in the other shoulder a year or so ago.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you:

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." .... Stanley Horowitz

He Did It.... He's Retired!

2009-09-16T07:42:00.004-05:00

After 20 years in the Marines... He's retired...almost...

Actual retirement in October, but is now on terminal leave. He says he told everyone at his job that he was hiding his phone ... so don't call him...lol

Congratulations, Son....

Odds N Ends...

2009-09-13T09:44:00.007-05:00

I bought these little chatzkies...the bird and the vase... at the reunion auction. I just wish I knew who brought them..! I will have to ask Uncle Bobby if he remembers.

We've been working in the shop. DH bought a router and yesterday made a perfect circle faceplate for a clock. He is thrilled! and me too, of course..lol Today will be the true test... oak. More on that later....

I decided to try my hand at pattern weaving.... just not in too big a way at first. This pocket weaving was just the right size and worked out fine. This kind of weaving is not nearly as hard as I thought. The next one will be on the rigid heddle loom and will probably be a wall hanging.

It's been raining a bit here in North Texas. A little cloudy today and cool. Hope it stays this way for a while.....

Happy Labor Day

2009-09-07T09:20:00.008-05:00

Well, it's that cool down time of the year again. Lovely and green but with cooler mornings and evenings.

The reunion was wonderful. My sister Leisa was there looking lovely as usual. (She's a Mary Kay Consultant!) There were people there that I had not seen since I was "knee high to a grasshopper"... as my dad would say. Aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins and on down the line...lol There was just not enough time to spend with each one...Seems like I got to see everyone and visit with no one...ya know what I mean? But will surely try to go from now on...lol

I'm sorry to say (but not...lol) that my diet went on hiatus for the day. Uncle Harry grows paw paws and his wife Sue made some wonderful Paw Paw bread that was luscious. He had some seeds and I sure enough missed getting some...sigh Uncle Bobby made Vinegar Pie and that right there shot my diet for a week. Do love that stuff!! Aunt Elva said that her grandmother (Great Grandmother Angel) always made Vinegar Pie.... did not know that. Saw my cousin David (whose father was my mother's brother and his mother is my grandmother's niece... figure that one out..lol) for the first time since our kids were small and let me tell you that I almost fell off the step when I heard his youngsters call him Grandpa... All in all a wonderful day... just way too short.

Reunion Eggs & a Clock

2009-09-01T12:27:00.007-05:00

It seems like forever since I have posted...and I guess it has been. It seemed a good idea to skip a week of going to Tulsa to the chiropractor. Some days I think it is helping and other days not... Mostly not, I guess, if I really want to be honest about it. I think I am in deep denial about carpal tunnel in my wrist and elbow because that would mean a drastic cut in all the things I really like to do... Anyway, one way or another we will find out soon.

Time is drawing near for the family reunion. I have not been for so long that no one can remember the last time I went... that is too sad. Anyway, we will be going this year. There is always an auction on Sunday afternoon to help pay for the newletter and things and everyone who wishes can bring something to auction off. These are what I have been working on for the last couple of days. This afternoon I will finish the stands and then all that will be left will be to let the finish cure a bit.

This clock is the first project nearing completion since we started back to work in the shop. This is one of DH's designs and it is now waiting in my workroom to have something painted on the bottom of pendulum area. He really wants it to be my little snail and mushroom (I really am going to have to give that little doodle a name at some point!) but I haven't figured out yet how to spread it across the area without making it look like a caricature cartoon... That will be this afternoon's second project...

It'a a little cloudy outside this afternoon, but nothing in the forecast about rain...as if that means anything here in Texas..lol The workmen are back and working on the shop trying to finish it up at last. It seems that the rains took so long to stop that it has been forever ... then the contractor had problems of his own. Sure hoping this is the last bit of that job... sigh

I hope everyone is having a good week. Hugs...

I Made a Tablet Weaving Loom...

2009-08-25T07:41:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I made a tablet (card) weaving loom. It didn't take long. Last night I tried it out and made a sampler of several easy patterns... This goes very quickly and I can see how a person could make yards of ribbon in very little time.

However... as I began to finish off and had cut the yarn, my left hand was holding the cards so they wouldn't fall all over and my right hand and arm... went crazy. You know that charlie horse you get in your feet and legs... well that's what I got in my right arm and index finger. My right index finger was pulled into a 90° turn and I couldn't straighten it up. This does not look good as far as all my hobbies go... sigh

Rockport, Massachusetts et.al.

2009-08-22T07:38:00.010-05:00

My children's grandfather came from Rockport. There were many stories told and talked about over the years. There was a small oil painting that was kept hanging on the wall for years of a bright red building sitting on a pier... and here it is. I was amazed when this picture showed up in the photos that son Phil emailed to me of his and Loretta's trip to Rockport. The perspective is a little off and the colors are a lot brighter than the very old painting...but there is no doubt that this is the same building. (Well...there may be some doubt. It has been about 35 years since I saw that painting..lol But this is how I remember it.)

It seems that Loretta had to do a genealogical study for a college course she was taking. Voila'... new obsession...lol (I laugh because those of us who have been bitten by that bug totally understand... kinda like the knitting bug!) There was much information found on this trip...even the house the family lived in.. and they found the natives to be wonderfully friendly and helpful.

This trip was made before the tourist season started. It seems that once the season begins a person can hardly walk down the sidewalk for the wall-to-wall people. Of course, it was a little on the cold side. Notice the cap... polishing lapels here... That is the hand spun merino, hand knitted fair isle cap that I made for him... and this one even fits..lol

This is one of my favorite photos. It makes me want to go... and maybe stay...lol I think I will try to either paint or pastel this picture.. We'll see...

The movie The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds was made here. There are some photos shown here of some of the movie props that were around town. I have to admit that I have not seen this movie...but I will now...lol And I adore Sandra Bullock.

As for life in general... the trip to Tulsa this week went well. My shoulder actually seems to be feeling some better. I seem to stay a bit tired, but I think that is because for the first time in years he has me doing some exercises to strengthen my neck. And the vitamins and supplements.... Lawzee... what a mess of them to try to swallow. But will continue... I'm ready to try anything and for as long as it takes. Seems it's either that or give up knitting. I really think that I am holding the knitting needles not only wrong, but too tightly and that is exaserbating the problem. Oh well... either way... must be fixed.

We are again in the woodworking aka shop mode. Yesterday and the day before was spent re-setting the routers. That sounds bad..lol It did not take that long to set the routers...but had to try several to get the one that made the look we wanted. Then had to buy some things..so that meant trips to Lowe's... etc...etc.. The first picture frame has been cut and will be sanded and put together today. We are working on a quilt holder/shelf that will fit one of my small quilts to be put up on the wall. Can't wait to see how that will work out!

The baby wrens gave me a scare a couple of days ago... I checked the nest and they looked dead. So I checked it again later and they still looked the same. I checked again later and they had moved, but still couldn't tell if they were breathing or had been moved about by the mom. About an hour later we emerged from the shop to see the mother flit away and heard them cheeping... phew... I worry that they are so close to the ground and accessible to cats, snakes and anything else that may want to harm them. We'll see if they make it to the fledging stage... Fingers crossed.

Have a good day...

The Simple Woman's Daybook... August 17, 2009

2009-08-17T07:44:00.004-05:00

For today: August 17, 2009

Outside my window: is a mass of green from all the trees and grass. DSIL once remarked that I needed to go sow something that would add some color in the meadow during the summer. He is correct... lol The sunshine is just beginning to shine over the top of the house and I love this time of day with the interplay between light and shadow...

I am thinking: about the Angel-Grooms reunion coming up and trying to figure out a way to go. It's been years since I have seen everyone and it would be lovely to see them again.

From the learning room: I have just finished my first ever plying of silk and merino singles. It came out well with the softness of wool and sheen of silk. The dyeing process is next to see if it will dye consistently. That will be today or tomorrow...

I am thankful for: colors. I cannot imagine a world with only black and white...or for that matter only red and blue. The blends and shades of color all around us makes life so much richer.

From the kitchen: comes the same old thing these days...lol This section will be very boring for months to come, but I have lost almost 15 pounds... so I am not complaining... ;o)

I am wearing: the turquoise ugly dress today...lol Later will be Donkenny slacks and shirt in either red or blue... haven't decided yet...

I am reading: another Alex Cross book by James Patterson. This one I have read 4 or 5 times already, but can't seem to get interested in too many other authors lately. Wonder what's up with that?

I am hoping: to get the cd in the mail today to DS #3 that is video of baby Hannah ... came out tooo cute. Just wish I could see his face as he watches it.. ;o)

I am creating: not very much lately. I finished the snail/mushroom quilt and the spinning of the silk/merino. Not too much left on the agenda unless I once again pick up the flax and give it another go. We'll see.

I am hearing: I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song by Jim Croce.

One of my favorite things: is seeing the light in a child's eyes when they are happy. (Or anyone else... for that matter..lol)

A few plans for the rest of the week: another trip to Tulsa. Then we'll see what comes after that.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you:

Four Year Anniversary... I Missed It

2009-08-16T09:09:00.005-05:00

On August 13, 2005 I made my first ever blogging post. I never dreamed that I would still be posting 4 years later. The customary thing is to link back to that first post on your anniversary... however... we were out of town. So I will do it here... Sharon B's Bags of Fun That was a fun undertaking. As the pages clicked by while I was looking for that first post there were several that stood out as places that turned out to be kinda important. Here's one...

The Joy of Handspinning Anyone who has been around my house lately can vouch for the fact that this site definitely changed my life...lol I am now surrounded by hand made spindles, a spinning wheel and a rigid heddle loom. I teach anyone who will stand still for a minute and doesn't fight back...lol

This site gives step by step instructions for making your first spindle and how to use it. Somehow it never left the back of my mind, but nothing happened until August of 2007. That was when I had been back to the site multitudes of times and finally decided that I would give it a try. That would be 2 years ago this month.

Much has happened in the 10 days since my last post. A trip to see my sister, on to Tulsa for a trip to the chiropractor (none near us uses our insurance .. bummer), and back home just in time for our son and daughter in law to arrive from Michigan. Busy time.. ;o) What a wonderful visit!

I hope all are having a good Sunday... It's a lovely, sunshiny day here and we have tiny baby wrens just hatched out in the back yard. It will be fun to watch them grow...

Spinning in the Dark...

2009-08-06T10:04:00.012-05:00

We had no chance of rain yesterday... Yahoo weather said so. We checked....

This was taken around 4pm... See the sign...Almost on the ground with the wind. About five minutes after my computer acted like it was shot and then shut down this is what I saw when I went to the door. The electricity went off all over the house. When we call our neighbor next door, he said they didn't have any electricity either. It seems that the electric line in their yard broke and was hanging free. DH was standing at the door watching for the work crew when a huge lightening bolt went off and I guess it charged through that line because he said it looked ten times brighter than a welder's torch arcing across the air. Scary...

When we called Reliant Energy we were assured the problem would be fixed by 6pm. So we lit candles and got out the flashlights because it is dark in the center of our house...especially with it storming outside.

6 o'clock came and went... Dinner was prepared under the romantic lights of our heavy duty flashlight... For the first time in a long time we actually ate at the dinner table in the kitchen..lol Another call the Reliant... Now it's 8pm. I got out my spinning wheel and went to work on some Merino that I've been spinning to sport weight. I have a little more than 300 yards finished in Navajo 3-ply. Anyway, DH used his flashlight and worked a crossword puzzle. Another call to Reliant promised an 11 o'clock fix.

Well... our romantic evening continued until we finally gave up and went to bed around 9pm or so and read our books by flashlight. We left the bedside lamp on to wake us up when the electricity came back on since everything had been unplugged and we really needed to plug in the refrigerator.

I woke up about 3am freezing to death... It seems the electricity came back on around 1:30am (great show for the 8pm fix time... don't you think?) and DH had gotten up and fixed everything and let me sleep. I turned off the overhead fan and sunk back into oblivion... What a night...

But... we did decide that if it were not the laundry and refrigerator we wouldn't really mind all that much living without electricity. And then again... there is the pc... and the printer...and the... hmmmm

Simple Woman's Daybook 08/03/2009

2009-08-03T07:11:00.007-05:00

For today: August 03, 2009

Outside my window: the sun is almost up and it looks like it will be another hot day today. The wren has nested in the utility trailer that DH pulls behind the mower, so there won't be any using it until after fledging. I can hardly wait... This is the second breeding period for wrens and I would love to know how many eggs are in this nest.

I am thinking: very slowly this morning in my effort to drink my first cup of coffee and wake up. I did not want to get up this morning... it was so nice to just lay there in the cool comfort of the bed and slide up to DH's back. The only problem with staying there was the beginning of a dream... I was walking into work and pulling out a med cart, taking report and watching other nursing staff come into work... Had a very deleterious effect on my semi-sleep progress...lol

From the learning room: I have found through working on the little snail/mushroom quilt that I can design my own quilts. They may not look totally professional yet, but I can do it. Working on color balance will help... Maybe I should do a color wheel quilt..

I am thankful for: mornings like this one where I can sit and blog while half asleep... take my time waking up and not have to worry. If history teaches us anything, it is to appreciate what we take for granted today. At the turn of the century everyone worked hard every day... 6 1/2 and 7 day workweeks were the norm beginning about age 10 and lasting a lifetime.

From the kitchen: doesn't come much new. I have learned to make a meat loaf that DH and I can eat on the Atkins diet. That was for supper last night.

I am wearing: that rather horrible loose dress that was bought at Dillard's. I may have to start leaving this one out..lol.. since this what I put on every morning to get around, drink my coffee, cook breakfast and eat. Then comes the getting dressed and ready for the day.

I am reading: my new Spin-Off Magazine that arrived a couple of days ago. Love that...the first one since I subscribed. Also started a new book for bedtime reading. It's called Dragontears by Dean Koontz. I'm not far enough along in it yet to know whether it will be a favorite, but since I usually really enjoy his I don't think there will be a problem... ;o)

I am hoping: that whatever the floor in the office is going to do, it does it soon. The lift in the center of the floor that caused the tiles to lift about 4" and break loose has gone back down, but still going down more. It will be really nice when it is all done and the tiles are re-set.

I am creating: a bit of a mess trying to learn to spin cotton with a supported spindle. The spindle is one that I made with a round something..forgot what it was.. and a bamboo skewer. It is working quite well. I was using a small Japanese bowl to support it, but it seemed to be too big and allowed the spindle to move around. Sooo... I moved one of my painted eggs from the candle holder that was supporting and used the candle holder. That works much better. The problem is that I think my support spindle is too long. While I don't have a problem with the no hook part, I have reach quite high to draft or just put the twist in then park and draft. We'll see what comes from this... ;o)

I am hearing: the air conditioner purr. Not long ago a flash back memory jumped up as we were walking across the parking lot going into Sam's. It was not until the late 1950's that air conditioning became widespread across the South. I can remember as a child seeing the banners in the windows of some grocery stores and department stores advertising "Air Conditioned". What a treat it was on a hot August afternoon to just stand in the door of such a wonderland.. lol
Around the house: plans are being made for the arrival and visit of son and daughter in law in a couple of weeks. What a joy that will be.. ;o)

One of my favorite things: is a small triangular stool that sits in my bathtub with a little pull out tray with a footstool attached. Love it... makes it so easy to do the daily ablutions like shaving the legs so much easier.

A few plans for the rest of the week: include finishing the last 3 seams of the snail/mushroom quilt, finishing with the de-clutter of the kitchen and then on to the rest of the house. Would love to totally redecorate much of my house...but will settle for the de-clutter...lol

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you:

"Grow old along with me!The best is yet to be.
The last of life, for which the first was made. "
Robert Browning
Robert Browning "Rabbi Ben Ezra"

Thursday, 07/30/2009

2009-07-30T07:58:00.010-05:00

I just realized that I haven't blogged about the new picture I put up as a header. This is a Bottlebrush plant and while I have read about them many times, this was the first one I had ever seen. It was growing in front of the elevator that we took to get to our room in El Cajon while we were on vacation. It was so big, it tipped the 3rd floor and was in full bloom. I want one... ;o) If you click on the link, there is a picture of the hotel and the bottlebrush plant in front of the blue tiled elevator.

There's not been a lot of hobby-ing in the last few days except in the evening. Since we had to take the curtains down anyway, I decided to cut them down. While the "puddle" look with fabric on the floor might look ok, it's not too great at keeping the dust and dirt off the curtains...not to mention the bugs out here in the semi-country. No.. I'm not drinking 2 or 3 cups at a time.. lol The coffee cups are to hold the fabric down...

As an aside... Now that DH has assisted with cutting the window film and the curtains, he has decided that he needs one these cutting mats to use in his shop. He cuts the glass for the picture frames he builds and this would sure help to line it up straight. Wonder what they'll say at JoAnn's! lol

Isn't it great to have gardening friends? ;o) DH came home yesterday with this batch of wonders. Today they will be peeled, sliced, blanched and dipped into corn meal to be frozen. It's a shame I can't eat them right now... sigh But... I'm 10 pounds down on my diet, so there's no stopping now.

Tuesday I found that I had finished spinning the chocolate merino, the Cotswold and the bamboo. I dyed the Cotswold blue and tried to dye the chocolate Merino, but there was no way. I think if I want to dye it I will have to use acid dyes or some other type professional dye instead my old stand by Kool Aid. Since it has been raining the drying was time was quite long, so it wasn't until last night that they could be rolled into center pull balls.

Have a good day... ;o)

"What you see is evidence of what you believe. Believe it and you'll see it." ... Dr. Wayne Dyer

Tuesday...07/28/2009

2009-07-28T07:50:00.008-05:00

A couple of days ago I was trying out the idea of free motion quilting on my machine and used a couple of small pieces of scrap that I had lying around. It took a bit to catch on, but I finally did and finished quilting the whole thing. It seemed such a waste to just throw it away, so I decided to make a book cover with it. I dutifully came inside and got a book, measured carefully, sewed it up and... voila'! ... it's too small... deep sigh

Not to be outdone by a measuring stick...

The book cover will now become a dpn knitting needle roll... VOILA' ! .... Of course, there is a little to be done. The divider seams for the different dpn sets have to sewn and another ribbon will be added on the other side so it will close properly.
There is another piece of this in my workroom that will be made into a book form with pages to hold my circulars. That idea just popped up, so we'll see how that works out... ;o)

The truth is that I have been wanting to make one of these for a while. I have been slowly gaining dpn and circular knitting needle sets for a while now and have had to continually hunt in my little case to find the sets that I need. So this is a good thing...

We finished the window film on the master bedroom yesterday...which also has lots of window space on the west and south sides of the house. After all the climbing to reach the tops of the windows and bending to do the cutting, I was ready for a sit down...

So...after supper I finished the spinning of the bamboo batts that I bought a year or so ago. There were two batts, but one was of a color that seemed more mud than anything else and I really did not like it when it was spun. I pulled as much of the brightly colored bamboo fiber out of it as I could (it was a wool/bamboo mix) and spun it in with the other batt. Getting the single onto the knitty noddy was as far as I got last night. It will be double plied, but that will have to wait until this evening.

It rained some yesterday and when I went out to take some pics of the flowers in the back yard it was very much like a really bad sauna. It is supposed to rain again today and tomorrow... and that's good as long as I am putting up the window film. (It keeps the windows from being too hot and the film holds better)

As for the pictures...

The trumpet vine is outdoing itself this year. It makes a perfect rounded top to the 10 foot tall stump we left of tree that died during the drought three years ago. It's a wonderful draw for the hummingbirds that swarm around it during the day.

The crepe myrtle is not as showy this year as it was last year, but it is still one of my favorite plants.

"All the abundance you want is already here. You just have to tune it in." ...

Everyday Wisdom by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Energy Efficient Window Film... I Like It!

2009-07-26T11:45:00.006-05:00

We have 16.5 linear feet of windows in our office...facing west. The Texas summer afternoons are not easy in here even with the window shades drawn. Yesterday we started putting energy efficient film on the windows. We found some that reduces 70% of the sun's heat and 99% of the UV rays. (Did you know that UV exposure causes the back of your eyes to burn until they turn yellow? I didn't either until my ophtholmologist told me mine were yellow...hmmm) The picture makes it look like it really darkens the room...but it doesn't. It does however make what's outside much clearer by reducing the glare.

I have to say that I would enjoy this job much more if we had solid pane windows instead of having to cut all these little ones...but even with that, it is so worth it.

The snail/mushroom quilt is now ready to quilt and the le Tour de Fleece is finished... These are blogged about on Fabric Follies Two .

Have a good Sunday...

Weather, Workroom and Working It Out

2009-07-21T11:02:00.006-05:00

It's hot outside today...and a heavy sort of hot at that. It rained during the night and was cloudy when we first got up this morning, but now it's just steamy. We are both back on the Atkin's Diet and have found that if we go to Grandy's we can both eat all we want, stay on the diet and feel like we have been "out to eat"...lol So, this morning we went "out to eat" and then to Kroger's. So much for my "day out"...lol But with the muggy heat out there getting warmer all the time, I have to say that it was all I really wanted.

I've been cleaning and sorting through my workroom for the last few days. There is still much to do, but finally there is progress showing through the mess. During this process, I have come to the conclusion that an entire re-do is necessary. Getting rid of the refrigerator was a major step in the rearrangement process. Now there is room for another shelf. That will help immensely in finding more actual working space on the tabletops.

The "Snail and Mushroom" quilt block is finished. There will be an edging put on two sides, then the rest of the quilt will be made around this block. The complete quilt plan has not totally evolved, but I am thinking there will be tall pines on the left and underneath will be a long block with floral applique... But we will see how it comes out...

Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl

2009-07-19T20:22:00.003-05:00

My heart is breaking for Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl, 23, of Ketchum, Idaho and his family. I hope he and they know that there are many Americans who are sending their hope and prayers for his safe release. We have a son and 2 grandsons serving in the military during this trying time... May it end soon...

108° .... Phew.. Good Time to Spin .... Mangiare?

2009-07-16T09:29:00.004-05:00

When DH came in yesterday from coffee with the guys, he said the bank temperature sign said 108°. I personally wouldn't know since the closest to outdoors I went was to take a few things to my workroom quickly and shut the door behind me as I left. :O)

The silk/merino mix that I bought in Tucson at Grandma's Spinning Wheel has been spun into a 14 wpi 2 ply yarn. When I have plied what is on this spindle I am hoping to have enough for a light, lacy scarf. I love this stuff... The silk gives it a wonderful sheen and the softness just makes me want to walk around with it glued to my cheek...lol

If you have read my blog for a long time, you know that I started this blog blogging about embroidery and ribbon embroidery. One of the best I have ever seen at this is Julia Camilleri of
Julia's Place . Well... her son Joe is a chef and has his own blog called Mangiare. What a jewel of a site! Recipes that will make your mouth water. And even one for my favorite of all time... Bread Pudding! Have a look and see what you think... You won't be sorry.

The Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan...Thought Provoking

2009-07-15T08:35:00.001-05:00

When all the wrangling for position and corruption of politicians and all the day to day irritations and every now and then when it seems that life in general is just pulling me down... I watch and listen to this. And realize how eternal and circular are the loves, laughs, tears and majesties of this world. And that the best we can do is be kind to ourselves...and to each other.

Comment Freaks

2009-07-15T08:03:00.004-05:00

I'm sure I am not the only one who is incensed with some idiot using comments on my posts as a way to advertise. The one on my previous post is particularly annoying because I can find no way in the blogger layout to delete it. If anyone out there in cyberspace knows how to delete this from blogger posts, I would be most appreciative to learn how.....

HOT!... and Vacation Pics

2009-07-14T08:28:00.012-05:00

It's so hot this week that staying inside is the only reasonable choice (if you have one). It's supposed to be 104°F today and was at least that yesterday. Wichita Falls is expecting 107°...as is Yuma, AZ. How did anyone survive before air conditioning? We have turned our hot tub down to 83° .. which holds it around 92° and sure makes for a nice cooling off dunk in the afternoon. I think this heat is worse than the heat in Arizona... the humidity is so heavy. So... who was that was complaining about so much rain...??? ;o)

I took this picture on our way home from Phoenix while we were on vacation. I love these cactus "trees". They are the most amazing looking conglomerations of vegetation that I can imagine. And they were everywhere. Reminds me of a sci-fi otherworld-scape.

The really good thing about the entire trip was that after we reached Pecos, TX there were no itchy eyes, runny noses or clogged sinuses. It seemed that my (and DH's) allergies just disappeared.

If you ever get a chance to go to Pecos, TX...go. The museum there is huge and extremely well done for such a small town. This bar is the original one from the saloon and is in the original building with the original tables and chairs . The mannequin behind the bar is a recreation of the bartender that worked that bar ... he moves wiping the bar and talking about the history of this building. It's great. There are 50 rooms filled with history in this building and the adjoining one next door.

There is one room filled with nothing but memorabilia about Judge Roy Bean. If you have never heard of him, he was called "The Hangin' Judge" and named his little piece of the West "Langtry" because he was obsessively enamored with the world renowned actress Lily Langtry.

These Indian grindstones fascinated me. Can you imagine how many generations it would take to grind down the one on the left and in the middle?

There is much more in the museum... I have many, many pictures but enough already..lol

It was terribly hot that day and after we toured the museum we just went back to the room and slouched for the rest of the day. Ventured out again around 6pm to find some supper.

This Best Western was new and did we ever love this room.....

Nielsen Ratings...Our Turn

2009-07-10T08:43:00.006-05:00

Have you ever wondered how "Nielsen" gets his ratings for the television shows? I have. Now I know. We had a call just before we left for vacation asking if we would like to participate in the Neilsen ratings for last week.

DH was not interested, but I was... if for no other reason than to see how it worked. I told them that we have absolutely no use for regular television... that we hate all the useless "reality" shows that are so scripted it reminds us of the 1950s wrestling matches.... and who in their right mind is "entertained" by watching people scream and yell at each other... ughhh They said that was ok... they wanted us to do it anyway...so I did.

There is a chart for every television in the house...even if they are never turned on. All you do is fill out the channel name and number for each show that you watch for a week. Easy peasy. List the channels you have available to watch and enter any shows that you have saved on a DVR and when you watched them. Really nothing to it. Then there is a place in the back where you fill out what you really think of television in general. Boy! Did that one get filled in quick...lol

Mine are to be put into the mail today. Two of them with nothing but our names in them. They were never turned on.

And now...the next time anyone talks about "so and so" got the top Nielsen Rating, I'll know how they got it... and so will you... lol

Charles Ward

2009-07-07T09:27:00.007-05:00

Charles Ward married my mom over 30 years ago. He has been a staple in our lives for a long time. He watched my children grow, my sisters' and brothers' children grow and now all of their children grow. He worked every day. He loved to grow things.. had a lovely lawn and pecan trees everywhere on their small yard and grew a yearly garden. Fishing and boating were "his thing" and he made sure everyone got to go if they wanted to go. He was "Mr. Fix-it".

Charlie loved his two daughters Lindy and Cindy. They never had anything to do with him after the divorce of their parents, but that never stopped Charlie from telling anyone who would listen that his Lindy was the greatest basketball player on the team. He talked unceasingly about them.

He died of leukemia on July 3rd. He was 83 years old. He is missed.

Hiding My Head In The Sand... Mariella's Mitten Tutorial

2009-06-30T09:47:00.005-05:00

We got home Saturday... tired and happy. Got to see that lovely little granddaughter and got some great pictures, but... alas... my pc crashed last night so I cannot post them until my pc is fixed. That shouldn't take but a couple of days (we hope) .... In the mean time, I guess I can post using my sweet DH's pc...but he has NO pictures on his... so this is one I had in Flickr.. It seems to fit my mood... ;o)

I just popped over to Knitting Nonni and she is doing a tutorial for those great mittens with the thumb in a comfortable place... imagine that... a comfortable thumb placement.. amazing. This will be one that I will have to do... Thanks, Mariella, for taking the time and trouble to post this tute....

In Benson, AZ

2009-06-17T10:02:00.004-05:00

Hi everyone... Posts will either be short and sweet or non-existant for a week or so. We are...guess where... today! This weekend we will be seeing our new granddaughter for the first time, so will have lots of photos when we return.. Today is a tour of Tombstone, AZ and the pit mine in Bisbee..

Will blog again at next computer stop...lol

Have a safe and happy week...

Lightening, Recall and Dishcloths

2009-06-11T08:39:00.006-05:00

We were doing up the dishes from supper last night when we heard a popping noise and then very loud thunder... This has just been the year for it... It knocked my computer offline, but not his and we never found anything else besides the fact that the garage light was on. All this and we only had a 30% chance of rain yesterday... ;o)

The water once again was almost inside the front door, so we looked a lot closer and realized that when we had the flowerbeds put in this last year the edging was placed just about 1/2 inch higher than the front porch. The water no longer could drain off the porch... so now we have had standing water almost inside the house this year every time it rains more than 1/2 inch. DH pulled the edging up a bit and the water immediately started draining off the porch... That's what we need.. !!! Another fix-it!!! ;o)

We got a notice in the mail last week that the new Chevy Colorado pickup DH bought earlier this year has a recall on it already. Some computer module. When he called the dealer it seems that they did not have any of that part in stock, so we had to wait until today to take it in for repair.

When GM announced that they were closing so many of their dealerships we kept our fingers crossed until we got word that ours was not one of them... phew!

I just cannot keep my hands off the knitting needles... sigh It's an addiction... I wish someone had warned me...lol I seem to have become really "into" knitted wash cloths, dish rags, dish towels... whatever you want to call them. I love the way the cotton knits up and how it feels and drapes. I may have to knit me a cotton sweater or vest or something... I think I've become "titched"... as the hillbillies say...lol ( "a little touched in the head..." )

Happy Flowers Quilt

2009-06-09T08:10:00.005-05:00

I was wandering through my fabric stash the other for something or another and came across...voila... a baby crib quilt piece of fabric that has to have been there for at least 5 years... Since it is pink and green...girl's colors... I guess I thought I would never have a need for it. But now there's Hannah..!! :o) Well, it is now in the process of being quilted... This will be much quicker than the last one. I will not be doing any embroidery on this one.

And... guess what... when I was in JoAnn's the other day... lo and behold...what did I find...and on sale, no less...for 99 cents... but the impossible to find in this town or any nearby town... a quilting foot! I have looked everywhere...asked everywhere. No one has one and everyone wanted to send me to Wal Mart to find one.. I had already looked there and they didn't have one. It will get it's first tryout on this quilt.. ;o)

The sun is shining today and the temps will rise this afternoon into the low 90s. I haven't looked at the weather, but I'm sure hoping for at least a week respite from the rain. Of course, along about August everyone will be praying for rain..lol.. can't be pleased....

Have a really good day...

International Clothesline Week

2009-06-06T08:36:00.009-05:00

The week beginning the first Saturday in June has been designated International Clothesline Week...

How to Use a Clothesline .. this article in Wiki How was my introduction to this international observance. Having used clotheslines for much of my life, my first inclination was to snicker and wonder who in the world would think to write such an article. And then... after a minute or so... I realized that what today's generation is born with is their normal... clothes are dried in a clothes dryer. I'm sure that many today have never seen clotheslines. Many home owner's associations and apartment complexes don't even allow clotheslines to be put in place.

I love to feel all fresh from a hot shower or lingering bath and slip into my bed to sniff the fresh smell of air and sunshine and feel the crispness that only the gentle stirring of the breeze can give to linens... Anyway... I am truly glad that some of the things that were done a couple of generations ago are making their way back. I firmly believe that not all things are progress...
she says as she throws her clothes in the dryer because it is raining outside...
Oh well... maybe some things are progress... for rainy days, anyway.

Close Call...

2009-06-02T09:12:00.004-05:00

I stepped to the screen door of the back porch with my camera to take a few pictures of the incessant rain and just as I clicked this shot of the shop roof.... ka boom...!!! lightening... right beside me! The hair on my arms stood up and the back of my neck tingled... ooowwweee... You talk about a quick retreat! lol It probably would have been funny to watch and I have to laugh now when I think about it, but it wasn't much fun at the time... That's the first time that has ever happened to me. I've never been that close to lightening before and don't think I want to repeat the experience...

I did some sewing yesterday for Hannah. Still have a few more things to make, but the little fabric book and bird that was finished yesterday turned out really cute... Have a look...

EZ Pi Finished! and How to Tell if You Are Old

2009-05-30T10:36:00.007-05:00

I am one happy camper today! The EZ Pi Shawl is done...fini..over..at last.. I love the fact that I did it and love the way it looks. I may even attempt another one when I get some more wool spun... but that is a definite maybe..lol When I finished the crochet border around it, I spent some time yesterday and did another Kool Aid dye.. this time using green. It does have a little yellow hue around the outside, but not as much as it looks like in the picture. The only place I could find that was big enough to block it was on the den rug.. Believe me, I counted the straight pins as I put them in and again as I took them out...and DH still found one on the floor later last night.

Speaking of later last night... or maybe a day or two ago... We were watching the History channel about the German people during the war hiding in mazes of bunkers under the streets and one woman was speaking of the smell... The fact that there were no antiperspirants..her words... and it immediately reminded me of the blouses that I bought when I was very young. And all the dresses, blouses, and shirts of the adults in my family... They had underarm garment shields sewn in... to catch the perspiration so you wouldn't walk around with sweat circles under your arms. I hadn't thought of them in years. Lo and behold, I did a search today and guess what I found... garment shields for sale.. If you remember these in your clothes, feel free to join me in the "Boy, am I really that old!" club...

Allergist "Rant"... Or Maybe Not

2009-05-28T07:28:00.006-05:00

The week has gotten away from me somehow. It cannot be possible that it is already Thursday.

Today is the trip to McKinney for the allergy shots. I think the allergy shot thing will go by the wayside after this bottle of meds is used up. Last week we learned that the series of allergy shots is supposed to last around 5 years... ha.. I don't think so. When asked how long these would have to be taken, the allergist hum hawed and referred to months instead of years.... he knew that years would be out of the question...

I always thought my grandfather was a bit off whenever the subject of doctors would come up. He felt that they were "quacks" who only wanted your money.... small grin here... After working in the medical profession for years and seeing some seriously expensive tests or procedures ordered about the time BMW payments were due... I think he may have been closer to right than I wanted to believe....

Please don't get me wrong here. I have to say that if not for my sweet DH and Drs. Davis and Bonilla I honestly do not believe I would be here to write this today. But I also think that it is very easy to become enamored of all the money the profession brings to them... and writing that order for whatever procedure makes them the most money is so very tempting for many of them...

Anyway.. I have wanted to make a few of these tissue covers for a while now... just have not done it. So I did make me one a couple of days ago. It is much easier to keep up with this in the car than that big tissue box sliding around under my feet...

EZ Pi Shawl,Card Weaving, Rigid Heddle and Shuttle...

2009-05-26T07:15:00.011-05:00

It's been a little difficult to blog for the last several days. Thank you to all who sent their good wishes... Time is moving quite slowly right now...

Do you remember all the knitting markers I made a while back... in several sizes? Well... I have finished the knitting on the EZ Pi Shawl and decided to take a picture of the reason one does not want to use markers like this in sizes way to big for the needles...lol This is the 4th one that I had to cut off. It seems that my fingers would fit inside the circle and I would end up knitting the marker right into the shawl. It would be great if that is what one intended to do... Make great bead embellishments...

I am now adding a crochet edging around it. I can't believe that I finished off with stockinette stitch... just like a rookie who doesn't know that the edge will roll unless something else is done on the edges... Oh well...

I've done a little card weaving and find that as I go along the pattern gets looser and looser... I think that must be because I was not using a wooden shuttle... so guess what I did...

I went out into the shop and made me a wooden shuttle... and a rigid heddle. My mind is having a bit of a problem concentrating so I was very surprised to see that the rigid heddle made a weft faced weave...duh.. I guess I was still in card weaving mode that produces a warp faced weave... But the heddle and shuttle worked just fine...lol I have been bitten by the woodworking bug...lol

Tina Marie Mink

2009-05-21T07:15:00.002-05:00

1958-2009

My sister... This is my favorite picture of her and it was taken in my yard in 1982. She was 24 years old and loving mom to her first daughter. I think she had no idea how much she could love her two daughters until after they were born... and had no idea how much she could love her grandbabies...

I loved her.

Goodbye.

Another Birthday... One More and I Get Paid!

2009-05-16T11:14:00.006-05:00

Well, yesterday was the 61st birthday... wow... One more and I get paid... Social Security... Can that be possible?? Really??? As said about a million times every year by everyone who reaches 60...Where did it go?

My sweet DH surprised me yesterday when he came home from coffee with these...I almost cried. I have wanted some of these for several years, but could never really figure a way to justify them besides just loving the look of them. So I would never get them for myself... Well...take a look at this...

For the first time in recorded history the top of my end table beside my chair is visible...lol... and I still have access to all the things that are usually scattered about on it... How cool is that...

This is the second set that he gave me. Both sets have magnetic closures that are wonderful...not so easy to spill things out when lifting them up... These haven't found a home yet, but believe me...they will.