Fine As Frog Hair

wow 3 post in one day...

2011-12-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

it's hard to get the camera and the laptop

in the same location for some reason...

so i wanted to post these pics while the postin was good....

flannel pj's and yes you caught me...

that's Detective Mike Logan ...

when i'm sick i always watch LnO reruns

.....or old movies or BBC classics

my little forest all ready to be priced and taken to Kindred Spirits

these are for the ooooooother christmas project...

but that's all your gonna see of those til it's all finished.

i will tell you it took me a lot longer than i thought

to cut the foam board letters out w my exacto knife

...so it better come out awesome

note to self...

2011-12-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

...fake snow in anything glass

w/ anything nestled into it

helps to make the season bright

http://isabellang.blogspot.com/

http://www.crystalbblog.org/

sick bed

2011-12-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

so i am sick in bed...sort of

by "sort of" i mean whenever a burst of energy hits i head downstairs....

change over the laundry...unload the dishwasher...clear off the dining room table from where my sweetman has been "helpin" out by unloading decoration boxes and "starting" the tree...rearranging the kitchen and cooking for myself

...that's sorta thing

i also decided to work on a coupla christmas projects that i have been itchin to do...

maybe i'll get some "help"

my view from my bed

...the art room

keeps calling to me

"please come back and finish what you started"

...not today sweet room

the "bursts" don't last long but

i'll keep you posted on the "project"

2 movies....

2011-12-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

i love lookin into peoples lives and this doc is a good way to do that

i heard this was really sad

so i had a lump in my throat and a knot in my stomach

....the whole time

turns out (tho is had some sad animal moments) it was not really sad and i thought well done

now i want to read the book

again...

2011-12-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

sick today...since friday morning
did dinner &the havoc hockey game with the girls and david friday night tho...
and i am so glad i did

but really just want to be well....tho the "rest" has been a blessing

found this singer today...tripped over her accidentally
...love it when that happens

this is gonna be harder than i thought

2011-12-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

no facebook...
not just temporarily disconnected but "permanently" deleted
i knew it was gonna be tough but i guess i never considered how weird it was gonna be
i feel so disconnected...
like very important stuff is happening that i know nothing about...
out of the loop as "they" say

i have several friends who have never ever even had a facebook...
they seem to be sailing thru life fine
actually they are the ones who seem to have so much more time and peace
they are the ones that gave me the idea it was "do"able just by the lives they are leading
complete...whole...fulfilling lives...right?
then why do i have the nervous skittish feeling
i mean it's not like i was addicted to crystal meth...right?
so why do i have the shakes and dry mouth

...i may even throw up later

i'm back

2011-12-09T08:53:00.000-08:00

ok ok i know that's what eeeevryone says...
actually think i myself have said it
on HERE actually
BUT i REALLY am back
for reals

i have recently...just today permanently deleted my facebook
actually it takes 14 days for them to "let" me delete permanently let me loose
but i am jumping ship...

for those of you who don't know me i am an escape artist...

life becomes too hectic and hard and relationships get messy i look on the back of the imaginary "hotel door"
and look for the fastest escape route...

i prefer those in this box...facebook...pinterest...netflix
what happens is i trade trash for treasure

i trade my time w God...projects...creative writing...reading...home making...and the list goes on
to look at pictures in the albums of friends of friends or friends....and the list goes on

so God is helping me cut off some escape routes...facebook was the first "road cosed" sign to go up

sooooo good bad or ugly...i'm back

daddy where are you...

2011-07-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

well we have finally come to the dreaded "time"...tomorrow will begin the search for a full care facility for daddy...he is so bad most nights that mama has not been able to rest...yesterday morning she called at about 4:30 am...after hours of agitation he left the house and would not come back in...we went right over...by that time he was back in the house but not really "himself"...he finally went to sleep around 7am and mama was resting so we came home...they had a pretty quiet day yesterday...

we went and picked them up for supper and they spent the night @ our house...he did very well all evening w/ no "episodes"...after we got home from dinner we watched one of their Gaither Homecoming dvds... daddy remembers all the words to the old hymns...he would throw his head back and raise his hands and close his eyes and siiiiiiiiing. it was so precious...

we rigged up bells on the outside of the bedroom they were sleeping in and as far as i know he did not get up and slept thru the night...i had made arrangements to meet w/ an in home care service company next week but i think we are beyond that now...last night was good but my mama has felt like he has been a danger to himself (and her tho she is slower to admit this) lately...

such a strange road tp be on...but daddys not daddy anymore....theres a glimps now and then but he's not there really any more...it's scary to leave him in someone elses care...just reating in the fact that he is in the care of my Lord...trying to muster strength...courage...comfort...wisdom.... my mother will be living alone for the first time in over 50 years...in some ways she's lonelier now than she's been...but i dread the rough seas ahead...

that this man...david joseph quinn...whom i have been blessed with as a soul mate...is soooooo amazing...he has takin on a "sons" responsibilities w/ my folks...i mean i'm tough to manage by myself...let alone these other people...
gotta put on my mountain climbing boots...

whatcha reading?

2011-07-12T11:28:00.000-07:00

i'm reading...

the rewards of fasting by mike bickle

http://www.amazon.com/Rewards-Fasting-Experiencing-Power-Affections/dp/0977673812/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310495124&sr=1-1

the keepers of the house by shirley ann grau

http://www.amazon.com/Keepers-House-Shirley-Ann-Grau/dp/1400030749/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310495087&sr=1-1

made to crave by terkeurst

http://www.amazon.com/Made-Crave-Satisfying-Deepest-Desire/dp/031029326X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310494975&sr=8-1

empty nesting building

2011-07-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

tis a wierd thing to have to rebuild a nest after 22 years

a picture is worth a thousand words...

2011-07-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

things i adore:

davids hands....*sigh

usa today crossword puzzle

fidos coffee house cafe in nashville

whiling away the morning at a sunny table in said cafe

iced latte

yummys

http://www.bongojava.com/fido.php

view from here...

2011-07-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

it's been a long time since i have done avfh photo

this morning...

2011-07-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

who's with me...

2011-07-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

i adore the blog beauty that moves

it's good for the soul

last season heather (from btm) offered an online 30 day vegan experience

i missed the sign up deadline

a coupla other loved blogs were doing it and blogging about it

i was eaten up with jealousy

i wasn't gonna miss a second chance

so...i jumped at the chance to sign u for the summer session

i did it...paid and everything

it would be fun to compare notes

so do it with me

oh and btw i am so sorry i have been MIA

i am committed to do better

maybe this will help

meatless tuesday

2011-03-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

monday....

sweet surprise...

all day date with baby ava bird...

wow it's a lot more work than i remember...

taking care of a one year old that is...

she had fun "helping" me scold gus who was locked in her huge kennel in the same room with us...

simmer down all you animal lovers...she jumps up on ava and her nails are sharp...

she...ava not gus...would point her chubby little finger at the cage and say "shuuushhu" (hush up doggie)

she is by far about the cutest thing in the whole world!!!!

i don't know why but i went brain deadish the second i got home with her...

i forgot it was monday 1st of all...

i even had...and please don't judge....i'm scared to say...ok here goes...

mcdonalds

yikes

and when i got home bible study last night...my sweet man had chicken potstikers and brown rice ready

and since i can never say no to potstickers...or a meal that i didn't make...or that sweet man-o-mine

ok thats a lie i can say no..to that sweet man-o-mine...but not the other 2

again don't judge

needless to say meatless monday is really meatless tuesday....today

k...so 3 things

2011-03-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

this is my youngest child
she's a nut
she graduates this may
i have been collecting things for a memory box
actually reviewing the pile it looks more like voodoo ingredients
weird....hmmmm....
anyway she found the hair and whilst i was brushing my teeth...
she showed up w/ this goatee
hard to brush ones teeth with toothpaste and spit coming out ones nostrils

i been painting again
don't ask me "why a chicken" cause i don't know
but here it is

3rd meatless monday under my belt...hahaha
it went well as usual
makes me think i could be a vegetarian
...just as long as i could have sesame chicken once in a while
oh and bacon once a year
oh aaand a big ol juicy hamburger and beef lo mein
...and ribs

never mind

canned biscuits...canned coffee

2011-03-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

i am usually a purest...
you know organic...plastic free...hormone free...and such

for instance my middle daughter (who is away from home for a few months) says to me..."sorry mama but i want/need gift-cards to walmart and mcdonalds...because those are the 2 places we go ALOT...oh and you're gonna hate this too...i eat top ramen almost every day" she is apologizing (which i think is super funny because she's almost 21 and can eat and shop where she likes <3) because i say all the time how the devil lives there (mickyd's and walmart) and allowed so little top ramen to my girls that they think it's like special occasion food....***like ok it's your birthday...we can eat anything/anywhere you want*** and they say TOP RAMEN...or the mcdonalds that's inside the local walmart...

however...
i don't know if i am feeling rebellious or lazy but this is what my brunch consisted of today...

i mean it wasn't even the brand name canned biscuits....
no it was the butter "flavored" store brand...

whenever i send my sweet man to the store for tampons he always buys beer and sugared cereal and canned biscuits...i guess these qualify as "man food" and even things out @ the checkout

so i decided to reeeeally throw caution to the wind and put brown sugar on them...and then slather butter on them when they came outta the oven... @least it is organic butter and pure cane sugar and i did pour the coffee in a pretty glass..

i'm so glad sweetman is on a 3 hour bike ride this morning and can't witness the debauchery...
which means i'll have to eat the whole pan to get rid of the evidence...
gotta go...
lot's a "work" to do

mice

2011-03-16T06:49:00.001-07:00

meatless monday...pancakes by candlelight and scrabble

2011-03-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

so monday i went meatless...
before you get too proud of me...
i need to tell you that i ate 2 meals of nothing but hot corn and cheese dip and fritos....

supper was leftover pancakes and sangria punch by candle light...
we also played scrabble...i used to like that game...
until i got creamed tonight

i'm still here

2011-03-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

so if i tell you something promise not to judge??
ok so i had chinese 3 days in a row...4 meals 3 days
it was heavenly but a little weird no?
in my defense....only 2 times was it "new" and 2 times it was left overs
one time my married daughter brought it for a girls night we had
then i ate the left overs the next day....
theeeeen that night my sweet man called and said
"it's thursday...how bout chinese"...
i didn't have the heart to tell him i had eaten it for my last 2 meals...besides that i wanted it again
so he brought some home and then of course i had the leftovers the next day
believe it or not it's been 3 days and i want more
somethings seriously wrong with me

ok 2 more things...

2011-01-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

hey it's a work in progress...
make cloth napkins
clean out/organizer/set up our art room...again

i will be tweeking to this list along the way
so stay tuned

i'll give it a whirl

2011-01-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

TO-DO LIST 2011

drink 80oz of water a day

walk 5 days a week

read a book a month

take guitar lessons

write at least one thank you or note of encouragement each month

write zac 2xs a month

throw out or give away 10 items a month

eat out less than 5 times a month

stay away from white sugar n white flour n white rice

no sodas

make up my bed everyday

memorize 24 scriptures

hmmm...what will this year bring

2011-01-02T17:46:00.000-08:00

i feel like i am standing on a precipice...here's why:

*we are putting our 75 year old house on the market in february because we need more house n less land n we are climbing out of debt

*both our dads have dementia...davids because of alzheimer's n mine because of TIAs...they both have gotten so much worse this year

*our middle daughter will be leaving for the International House Of Prayer (IHOP) in KC in a week for a 3 month internship..i have a feeling this is just the beginning of the end of her living @ home

*our youngest child will graduate from high school in may and is very anxious to use her wings...most likely college bound

*i am the heaviest n most out of shape than i have ever been

*i am feeling the need for reducing all my "stuff"...simplifying

*i am craving a closer relationship w God

*busting w/ creative juices

*changing my decorating taste/style after 20 years...from the 1865s to the 1930-1950s

whew...so whats to come...what grief n joy n loss n gain will 2011 bring my way...what will be poured into my cup...

Lord give me the courage n strength to drink it

tis the season...

2010-10-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

...this is where i'll be spending the day
....this time of the year is cotton harvesting time in alabama
...they spray it w/ a chemical that dries it up making it easier to harvest
...what it does to me n many of my neighbors is gives me a sore throat
...headache n general ickyness
...funny...this used to be my favorite season

Spinning on a Drop spindle While Arguing With my mother

2010-10-18T01:24:00.000-07:00

n last but not least...i HAD to put this one because of the title alone...but it just so happens shes fun to watch because shes so good....ok now i'm finally sleepy...goodnight

the plarn lead back to this...

2010-10-18T01:22:00.000-07:00

i was reminded of this spindles that i have but never used by the plarn tutorial

which lead to this...

2010-10-18T01:19:00.000-07:00

no sew version of the last tutorial

which lead to this...

2010-10-18T01:18:00.000-07:00

i liked her tutorial but my machine is on the fritz...a lot...so the next is a "no sew" version

which lead to this...

2010-10-18T01:16:00.000-07:00

this looked too cool to pass up

it all started when i couldn't sleep....plarn

2010-10-18T01:12:00.000-07:00

it all started when i couldn't sleep n a friend on facebook had a photo of a tote she made from something called plarn...it was so colorful n cool n i loved the idea of recycling plastic grocery bags (i use canvas reusable ones but i know lots of people who don't...so i thought i could beg theirs)...so this started a weird youtube tutorial trail...here's the 1st

awesome tutorial....make tshirts into yarn

2010-10-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

can not wait to try this....stay tuned

"You can eat all the junk food you want, as long as you make it yourself!" -Michael Pollan

2010-10-05T16:58:00.000-07:00

home fried sweet potato chips w pink sea salt....yeah it's really pink...pink sea salt contains various amounts of 82 different trace minerals including...calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and gold...it comes from the himalayan and andes mountain ranges...i think its an algae in it that makes it pink

remember betsy clark

2010-09-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

i'm pretty sure i had a plastic lunch box w/ a long strap @ one time...soft plastic covered cardboard not the hard plastic lunch boxes of today...i think i used it til the cardboard rubbed thru...anyway i don't have the lunch box anymore but i found this old tin in a keepsake box n decided that i liked lookin @ it so i got it out to use in the art room...it was filled w/ powdered bubble bath...i still remember how "womanly" n grown up i felt when i used the bath powder....it probably gave me a rash but the tin brings back soooo many sweet memories...

i'm in love...again

2010-09-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

i have a lot to tell you about but i don't have time right now...

i do have just a moment to tell you of a blog i found today n absolutely adore...

http://www.tiffanyruda.com/

talk to you in a bit

dirty dishes n muffins

2010-09-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

woke to a sink full a dirty dishes...

but i had my heart set on muffins...

lemon zucchini berry muffin

preheat 375

grease muffin tin

1 1/2 cup grated zucchini

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 eggs beaten

1t vanilla

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2t baking soda

1/2t baking powder

lemon zest

1 1/2 cup berries

mix wet ingredients n dry ingredients separately

combine wet n dry

fold in berries

(i use blueberries from this years homegrown bumper crop)

filled greased muffin tin

bake til golden n toothpick comes clean....25 min

*worth puttin' off doin' the dishes for*

hello

2010-09-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

i woke w/ a start this morning...don't you hate that...i was forced to take a half a dose of allergy meds before bed last night n still needed a coupla hours to sleep that off...

when i was a kid i was a morning person now i'm more of a mid morning person...but even then i needed a minute to ease into the day...you know to remember who i am, where i am, how old i am n is there anyone depending on me that day to sustain their life

so i got ahead n got up...so did my lover man

since c was spending the night on a girlfriends trampoline n r had to be @ church early for worship practice n l is married n sleeping in her own bed in her own house w/ her own lover man it was just he n i alone in the house this morning

so he mad tea....i made cinnamon toast n we played cribbage on the porch in the cool of the morning...i won

then we separate the recycling...dropped it off on the way n went to church

when we got home i felt like i had been shot w/ a tranquilizer dart...that word is so misleading...it stats w/ the word tranquil although if you have ever seen an elephant shot w/ one on wild kingdom...they go out n down like a ton of bricks....hardly tranquil

anyway we (my lover man) laid on the couch for an afternoon nap...after a coupla weird "am i asleep or awake" dreams i woke again w/ another start...again drowsy but up

everyone left for youth group...i had a shot of CoooooooOOOooLD sweet tea n opened a new blog i have n]been meaning to check out n its ammmmmmaaaaaaazzzzzzing....i wish i could meet all the ladies who create the blogs i adore...

i want you to check it out...

http://matsutakeblog.blogspot.com/

oh an another i spent...well i'm embarrassed to say so i'll just say i started w/the most recent post n went back to 2008ish....hey
don't judge....

since addicts love company here's the address for that one as well...

http://www.susieharrisblog.com/

i have been busybusybusy painting black n dark stuff all over my house...everyone thinks i hit my head...no i'm just ready to "lighten up"

i am also feverishly working on my art room...i have so many projects n paintings swirling around in my head n i long for the time i can walk in there n put my hands on all the items i need to get them out of there

tata till next time

i am in love

2010-09-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

i stumbled upon this online shop this morning.....aaaahhhhhh

http://www.hawthornethreads.com/home

am i too old for one of these...i hope not

2010-09-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

these are a few of my favorite things...

2010-09-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

odds n ends

my moms collection of rollin pins in a wooden bowl

POPCORN!!!

dumplins n brown rice

davids crepes w/ butter n powdered sugar

today

2010-09-05T07:41:00.000-07:00

today is sunday...

in a bit i'll get ready for church

i have that feeling in my chest like i'm getting sick...hopefully the thieves essential oil n hot jasmin green tea'll knock it out...i'll let you know

sometimes...n only sometimes mind you...dirty dishs strike me as pretty

i painted alot this weekend....

hmmmm not sure...

if i like any of it...

we'll see

i have been busy

lately w/ projects

i want to show you

n i found sooooo many

goodies yesterday

@ my friends garage sale

...but alas i have to get the pictures together

2 quick things...

2010-08-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

what i have been doin this mornin...

instead of what i ought......

paper beads...my 3rd cup o coffee n sourdough toast

can you see the butterfly in the middle of my pallet

hello...remember me

2010-08-30T07:27:00.000-07:00

i can not believe i have been gone for so long....how rude

after all it's not unusual to think 1oo times a day
..."oo i want to blog about this" n my camera literally has 100s of photos i have taken for you

....why then do i go so long between post...hmmmm

last week was my 45th birthday so i had birthday money burning a hole in my pocket n paid an obscene amount for a somerset magazine on blogging

...it did just what i hoped inspired me

....maybe part of the "hold back" has been that my laptop has been out of commission for well over 2 months n i am having to borrow my sweeeeeeeet daughters whenever i want to do anything on line.....since i am sorta like a squirrel running from one shiny nut to another...if i don't have my writing "instrument" at my disposal when the urge hits...it quickly passes n i see something shiny in another part of "the yard"...then it's hard to make myself do it when i do find the computer in my lap....

but i am inspired n feeling very artsy lately n have soooo much to tell you

....hang on a minute...i'll be right back

waiting...

2010-07-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

to do list....yesterday n today

2010-07-20T08:38:00.000-07:00

what i did yesterday...

it may not look like much but....whew what a mess it was

what i gotta do today....

fold n fold n fold n fold...

i'll let y'all know how it goes :)

reused=reloved

2010-07-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

a blog friend wanted to see a picture a what i did w/ the old blue shutters

i got out a a pile a trash from the roadside....

i sold 4 for $10 each @ my annual porch sale...the rest my sweet man screwed them to the porch railin to make a cozy little nook to sit n visit in....the wild wisteria thinks i put it up for it...no matter...we all win

i also thought i'd throw in a pic of a chalkboard i made from a old winda frame...

i have yet to buy chalk for it...it's hard to find white chalk

my booty

2010-07-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

yummy green handled spatula like granny used to have...darlin fruit bowl from the 40's...wooden scrub brush...a olde soft quilt...silver butter knife...sweet little bread plate...a precious hanky for a precious pal...n find of the day the bottom half of a hoosier for $28....

mmmmm i'm in heaven

the view from here

2010-07-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

in my world...everything fits

2010-06-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

what wouldn't fit....this is not MY world

homemade blueberry pancakes make my toes curl...

2010-06-28T13:54:00.000-07:00

2010-06-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

whatcha do when the lights go out on a saturday evening in alabama...

2010-06-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

homemade doughnuts...mmmm

2010-06-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

the view from here...

2010-06-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

i just got on this morning to listen to my playlist while i worked on some computer housekeeping...but then i remembered that there was a coupla things that i've been thinking about alot lately...so i say to myself...oooo remember to blog that....but i know myself i won't....remember that is...

but 1st i have to make a quiche...quiche is one of those things i always forget about how much i like.....but it's so easy to make....it's eggs n cream n cheese n if you're lucky tomatoes n spinach n such....whats not to like....i made one the other night but we didn't get to eat it because the movie was starting...so a coupla daughters n myself ate it the next day for breakfast AND lunch...last night the last words from my sweet love before he drifted off to dreamland were "is there any quiche left...so i am going to make one this morning while he's biking...n the doughnut recipe i want to try this morning said something about setting a while in the fridge n last night when i told my girls the plan for today they were so excited about the doughnuts...sooooo i must make that happen....when you have a 17 n 20 year old get excited about homemade doughnuts you must let nothing stand in your way...so i'll be right back...just let me get those things underway then there's something i want to tell you

ok sweet man is home n in the shower...there's 14 min left on the quiche n the doughnut dough is "setting" in the fridge for 1 hour...it looks too wet?....hmmm we shall see

baking is so good for me...actually cooking in general but there is not much room for the undisciplined in baking...i mean in just general cooking you can...fudge things a little..i don't mean add chocolate to everything stop getting happy :) ....i mean you can do change the order of things a bit...or make things up as you go along (my recipe for the rest of my life in most cases) w/ out quite as much possibility for disaster...but baking???...its a bit more persnickety...so this is GOOD for me...i have a teensy problem following directions n i hate being told what to do...i once told an aunt that "nobody bosses on me but my mama" ...some might say it's trouble w/ authority but that sounds too brash so i refuse to except this definition....aaaaaanyway since i don't like being bossed it takes everything in me to do things in the proper order of the recipe...i mean does it really matter how long you whip something....n whats w/ this magic little "well" i had to make in the center of the dry ingredients??? but it does matter...which really stinks! but i have made enough "messes" to know this is one area i must submit... a friend once told another friend" don't give that recipe...she has no respect for the natural order of things in the kitchen" this same friend highlights n bolds anything on a recipe card she knows i may skip or get creative w/...like letting things set overnight or waiting until the water is in a "rolling" boil??? really?? humph!

so baking is like exercise for me...i should work out my compliance muscles more often...i want you to know i followed the recipe to the letter....it looks to wet...we'll see

the quiche is done n it's beautiful n hot so i'm gonna go eat w/ the ones i love...

my plans for a gentle day...

2010-06-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

so tomorrows saturday...it's been a long time since we had a "saturday"...i am looking forward to it very much...i am trying not to get my hopes up too much tho because most times when i put toooo many eggs in one basket it never turns out as planned

however...clinging to hope these are my plans...

i want to go to the farmers market...the local one is not very big but i got some woooonderful goat cheese n kale m jam n a potted herb last time i went...since we have just this week returned home from 10 days @ the beach we are in need of some fresh veggies n bread...

then i want to come home n make homemade doughnuts from a recipe i found on a delightful site @ http://www.themayfly.com/weblog/trying_to_cook/
who got it from...http://3191.visualblogging.com/archives/11518_1443007713/345655

then i need to empty some boxes full of stuff that was junkin up a room n has needed to be gone thru for sometime...

then i want to work on that odd little room which is "dangling"(a word i got from another blog to describe a similar room) from our master bedroom...this room has had many titles...one being "school room" because it has in the past housed all of our home school "stuff" but has not had one moment of school work done in it...now w/ the last homeschooled child entering the 12th grade it has lost it's use as a homeschool supply closet...it also has been called the computer room...which is more accurate....but even this title barely fits anymore because the computer in there doesn't work n everyone would prefer to use their laptops anyway...so it has mainly sucked in junk n outgrown clothes n anything else no one knows what to do w/ but they don't want in their rooms anymore....it's a scary mix of trash n treasure...

about 4 months ago i started transitioning this room to be an art room...one that will hold aaaaalllll the stuff that i use for aaaaallllll the different "things" i do....n i have carved out a small space for all my husbands painting supplies as well...we both have quite a collection...i once decided to not by another piece of cloth r string r button r pattern r anything else until i had used all i had but that never took...just like once i decided to never buy another book til i had read everyone i already had but that never took either...thus i need a room for all my books n art supplies....aaaalll that to say that i want to work/play on/in there as well

oh n pick blueberries....

so that's what i really hope my day holds tomorrow....

so whatchu got planned

edited blog...because my friends are so sweet

2010-06-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

because my sweet friends are worried about the seemingly giant steps i am taking i have decided to do some editing....before i do that tho i realized i should have been clear on a few things...i have already mastered several items on my list but thought by listing them that
a) it may inspire someone w/ a good idea n cause them to say "hey i could try that one"
b) it does feel good to look @ a list that already has some achievements on it...kinda like how if i think of a "to do" that i forgot to put on my "to do list" n i do it i ALWAYS write it on there n then cross it out...quirky huh :)

so while i am not deleting anything off my list i have added an * beside things i've already or am on my way to mastering such as shopping bag thing...been doing that for about 3 years n have several in every vehicle that calls our driveway home...n i have not eaten pork (of my own free will) for about 5 years n such....n i have added a ~beside items that i am really striving n in some cases struggling w/

also remember that some of these will only be 1 month commitments ie eating out n i have left room for movement w/in these parameters ie eating out if someone else treats me n such

so hear goes not new but edited list....

~eating out @ ALL (unless someone else is treating *hinthinthint)

~buying anything "new"....garage sales n resale don't count since that's a way of recycling n of course that doesn't count gifts for others r food r hygiene products of all sorts

*eating white sugar or flour or pork w/ the exception of anything that is served to me from another ie: eating @ someone elses house *hinthinthint (mastered pork n weeeeeeellll on my way to the flour sugar thing)

*use disposable water bottles or plastic grocery bags n the like (mastered this many moons ago--backslide on the plastic water bottle thing from time to time but always downcycle oops i mean recycle them)

ok enough w/the don'ts n can'ts n negatives...here's what i WILL do...

*drink only water n fresh juices (this one is on again off again...but i'm a much happier n healthier person if i'm really practicing it)

*exercise @ least a 1/2 hour 5-6 days a week (again this one is on/off but same is true here healthier n MUCH happier)

******compost everything i can (to my childrens great disgust) (have even been know to bring other peoples trash (coffee filters/tea bags/banana peels) home w/ me for my compost bin)

******recycle everything i can

~track my progress n such by blogging @ least 2x's a week

for some reason it helps...

2010-06-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

so today i watched no impact man AND food inc...it helps center me to get me started on the task below...what helps you do the things you know you should n stop doing the things you know you shouldn't....do tell :)

ok...so here i go...again

2010-06-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

ok so as many of my faithful readers know i have been really grappling this year w/ my overweight...overspending...overconsuming.. overover self...toooooo much of almost everything...

i have failed miserably....but alas i am not able to just be fat n poor n wasteful n happy....so....here i go again

i am quite sure that anyone in their right mind has long since stopped reading r following my emabarrasingly sparse ramplings so i am mostly writting this to myself so i can have SOME sort of record in case i actually accomplish this feat...

if you are reading this bless you n please comment n let me know if you'll join me or @ least cheer for me in the stands :)

so starting this coming monday the 28th of june (hey don't judge...i'll conquer procrastination in august...maybe september....november @ the latest) living thru one month ending wednesday july 28 w/out...

*eating out @ ALL (unless someone else is treating *hinthinthint)

*buying anything "new"....garage sales n resale don't count since that's a way of recycling n of course that doesn't count gifts for others r food r hygiene products of all sorts

*eating white sugar or flour or pork w/ the exception of anything that is served to me from another ie: eating @ someone elses house *hinthinthint

*use disposable water bottles or plastic grocery bags n the like

ok enough w/the don'ts n can'ts n negatives...here's what i WILL do...

*drink only water n fresh juices

*exercise @ least a 1/2 hour 5-6 days a week

*compost everything i can

*recycle everything i can

*track my progress n such by blogging @ least 2x's a week

friends have made comments in the past that i wish to save the world...this is not so much about that since i nor anyone else can save the world...it will waste away precisely n not one second sooner r later than The Creator n my Savior has in mind already...He is the only one that can create or save this planet..however i am commanded to be a good steward of my gifts...ie...this earth n my body n my resources ($)...so this is not an earth mission but a melinda mission...mission NOTimpossible

ok so here goes...who's w/ me

7 things

2010-06-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

ok so i was talking to a dear sweet friend tonight @ my 1st book swap...more about that later...n she was sorta chastising me for not keepin up my blog post...i told her that sometimes i think my life not interesting enough to read about n she reminded me what another blogger friend said...don't write to be read - write to write n i'm suffering from the unsleepy's...sooooo here goes....7 things that have happened to me in the last coupla days that in my small little world that seemed so interesting enough to me that i told @ least one other person about it...

a coupla days ago my sweet<3 n i were @ our tax lady's office n noticed her "office kitty" she (the cat not the tax lady) jumped up on the counter n was so friendly n my sweet<3 said this cat looks just like one a ours...she said yeah this one is a replacement for our 1st one that died...
S<3 "where did you get her?"
TL "from the 'cat house' (the name of the cat drop off @ the pound here)"
S<3 "the one here in town?"
TL "yes"
S<3"we took a batch over there last summer"
TL "that's when we got her"
S<3 "in julyish"
TL "yep"
well since she's the spitting image of the ones we took n the ones we still have there's little doubt she's one a ours...weeeird...she's a friend from church...she coulda come n picked her up here n skipped the middle man :)

yesterday on the way to run an errand my car ran out of gas...in my defense the gas thingy that tells you how much gas you have is not working properly n so it was not telling the truth...anyway i ran out ok...it happens...so i put on my hazards n pulled off the road as much as possible...there is no shoulder there only private yards so i was trying to be safe AND respectful of the lawn i was driving on...i did the best i could n it was about 85 degrees in the shade so i assure you i was not having fun...aaaanyway sooooo many people got soooo upset????...like i could help it or was just trying to ruin their day....a guy in a huge truck FLEW around me honking his horn all the way...he almost ran off the road himself in his anger...one sweet older lady in the oncoming traffic lane slowed down enough to give me the stink eye n shook her head @ me...a teenager flipped me off!! can you imagine getting that upset @ something so trivial n minute? i can so after i cried a little n retold my story to my hero (aka my sweet<3) who came lickety split n stood in traffic n braved the angry mob to save me, i decided to ease up on people, cut 'em some slack, save my blood pressure n maybe their feelings, especially other drivers....so i'm glad it happened...it taught me a valuable lesson n reminded me not to trust my gas gauge (there see i do know what it's called...i just couldn't remember what the doohickey's proper name for a moment)

so turns out i have an ear infection ON my ear drum...the outside of it...i have had a "plugged" up ear for over a week...it also has an incessant ringing added to the charm...nothing "popped" it, not blowing my nose or yawning (which is very difficult to do on purpose) or jumping on one foot w/ the plugged ear pointing to the ground or holding my nose n blowing as hard as i could (which i know there is a scientific name for n i'm pretty sure i read it wasn't healthy some time ago but i was desperate n it was suggested by a friend) so i went to the ENT this morning to get it UNplugged...here's what i found out...seems some time in the recent past it ruptured n the rupture got infected...i don't remember it rupturing..i have not been sick lately (his idea for how it may have ruptured) other than of course almost constant allergies nor have i been swimming lately (his ideas for how it may have got infected)....but none the less it was n it is...so ear drops for 10 days then a recheck...the reason i'm telling you this story is that it may have been caused or @ the very least aggravated by my zealous use of q-tips...ouch...he sucked out (n i'm sorry in advance to my squeamish readers for the upcoming TMI) a lot of gunk unplugging (thank You Jesus) my ear. BUT the ringing remains..seems trapped in the gunk was several tiny cotton fibers...so much for "fudging" the truth about my addiction, so i have itchy ears, it's my only recourse.....however i assured him i could quit any time...to which he replied that's what all addicts say...his parting words were...see ya in 2 weeks n lay of the q-tips...so i'm gonna n you should too...lets reapply the wisdom of our kindergarten teachers...don't put anything in your ears smaller than your elbow...which can't been done btw...i've tried

on a sad note my nephew's in jail...this is my late sisters son...he's not yet 20...he drinks...which he never should have done cause my sister God rest her sweet soul was an alcoholic n druggie...she fought a good fight w/ it but lost in the end...i was hoping this would be a lesson to him but as w/ most kids,they gotta find out the hard way...when he drinks he acts stupid n does stupid stuff...he has not had his hearing yet so he's still in county lock up...but he may go to prison....why am i writing this...maybe because it's 3:26am n i'm heart sick over it...i wish there was some way to help him...i want him to pay for his crimes n take the consequence for his actions but i do not want him to go to prison...he's not a hardened criminal....yet...he's still redeemable n salvageable...Lord you know whats best n You love him far more than even me...so I place him in Your hands...

ok on a lighter note...actually it's a delightful note..i hosted w/ my sweet 1st born a book swap here @ my place...i invited all my girlfriends to bring their gently read books, their own beverage, n $2 to cover some cost...i provided a place to set up sorted (fiction,nonfiction,classics,etc) books, lotsa yummy "girl" food (which i had the pleasure of shoppin for n bakin n cookin all afternoon w/ my sweet daughter) n notepads for wish list makin....here's how it worked...as soon as you got here you took a tiny notepad (which 1st born had stamped "wish list" @ the top n a # @ the bottom) from the basket...you set out your books...got a snack...perused the book tables n made your wish list...after it looked like all the people had come that were going to (15 counting my daughter n i) n every one's wish list's were complete, we started the swappin....i called the 1st # n that lady went n selected one of the books on her list n called out the title so anyone w/ it written down on their list could cross it out saving precious swappin time...the the next # n the next n so on...it was so much fun everyone was gathered around the table helping each other find the book on their list...when several people had reached the end of their wish list we opened it up for leftovers...out of a huge table full there was only 2 small boxes left (which i volunteered to donate to the friends of the library book sale closet) it was looooooads of fun...everyone wants to do it a coupla times a year n some one volunteered to host the next one..you should try it...i promise it's a wonderful way to spend an evening

ok i had 2 more things i wanted to write but i'm finally sleepy n ready to try bed...again

i will say one more thing...i thank God for my precious daughters...they are soooo fun to be around n make every single second of life more enjoyable for me...even the bumpy spots...they are mostly grown...almost 22 n married...20...17...n i'm sorry to see "it" end but i look forward to many wooonderful years of "grown up" daughter girlfriend times...they are my 1 true thing <3

1 step forward...2 steps back

2010-05-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

seems like i''m always taking one step forward n 2 steps back...in almost every area of my life

but todays a new day n i got my "stepping" shoes on...actually i'm barefoot which is how my feet are dressed 90% of their day...but you get the picture

hmmmm...today i rode for 20 minutesish on "thebike" n had good for me cereal w/ almond milk n washed a load of dishs n watered the plants on the porch n have spoken to 2 people so far n have not hurt anyone's feelings or said something i wish i could take back...so i'm off to a good start

so...today's to-do-list....
*make my bed
*pot the devils backbone n christmas cactus sprigs my sweet friend/sister lynne gave me
*organize n box the "wall" of books against the wall in my bedroom
*empty the box of junk @ the top of the stairs (hate this one the most)
*move the dresser n shelf into the art room
*piddle around in the art room a bit
*put away the laundry in the hall downstairs

i think i'll also start my "52 things i want to organize or accomplish this year" list...one "thing" a week...like a drawer...a box from the garage...a closet...a room...etc that i need to declutter r organize r purge...one a week...seems managable....hmm...we'll see

gotta start steppin...

time is flowin like a river...remember that song?

2010-04-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

...so today's my 2nd child/daughters 20th birthday...i keep asking myself how this happened...can it be true that having all adult children is peeking @ me just around the corner...seems unreal...i barely feel like an adult myself...hmmm...these unfamiliar waters are a weird place to be...not unpleasant...just unfamiliar...like standing in front of a group to speak n suddenly being so aware of your hands...for the first time in your life they feel unfamiliar...not quit sure what to do w/ them...they don't feel..."right"...kinda out a place all the sudden...

anyway that's the way i feel today...adding to this slightly addled feeling is the fact that i can't get my porch put back together again....like humpty dumpty...

...not this past weekend but the one before that i cleared off my porch so i could have my annual country porch sale..now i have time to move everything back into place only i don't want all of it back in the same place nor i think, do i want to keep everything...it's all just junk anyway

...so i keep moving and moving n adjusting n rearranging n changing...i STILL can't get it right...so i just came inside...i think i'll try again in the morning...it's sorta overcast n chillyish today...the porch is easier to do in the sunshine...

i want to get rid of more stuff...i have the need to purge...the porch sale is a lot of work tho...hmmm...gotta get creative...

oops didn't realize how late it was...gotta run...birthday supper @ cheddars..yeeeaaah...maybe loads of simple carbs n grease will get help

peace

new business cards....yipee!!

2010-04-21T20:20:00.000-07:00

here comes the sun do-do-do-do here comes the sun n i say it's alright...

2010-03-29T07:15:00.000-07:00

i can not believe how "hard"this winter has been! i know it's all so relative...but here in the sunny south the endless days of rain n soggyness is...discouraging....we have had misleading glimpses of sunny springy days but they only serve to get me all excited only to make me plunge into despair when i wake up the next morning to a heavy frost n greygray skies...ok that was probably waaaay too dramatic...lets just say i'm so adoring the sun this morning...i even popped..you've got mail into the dvd player to play in the background as i bounce around the house doing odd jobs...it's such a happy sunny day movie

i have a new project that i am going to be undertaken soo...

for the past 15 years r so my bedroom...well i should say "our" bedroom has been decorated the exact same way...lots of ecru lace n croched bed coverings n curtains...greens n dark rose colors....dried roses n other romantic flowers....i have loved it BUT i am ready for a change....

i was thinking light n white n vintagy...total redo....

does anyone know of a good site that has some ideas n pictures to look @....maybe your bedroom or that of a friend is something like i'm talkin....or maybe you just like it n think it would be fun for me to see....can you send me a picture or a fun site to go to....i'm open to suggestions...

my email is sewqt@ hotmail

even as a child i felt giddy @ getting an appliance as a gift

2010-03-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

History Of The Apron

2010-03-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma or mama's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven or stove.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, wiping snotty noses and on occasion was even used for cleaning dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove or oven..

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen or living room in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.

After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In autumn, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma and Mama walked out onto the porch, waved their aprons, and the menfolk knew it was time to come in from the paddocks to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

less impact woman

2010-03-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

ok so i just got done viewing the documentary called "no impact man"....its about a man n his wife n small daughter that go on a yearlong crusade to make no net impact on the environment some of the ways they do this include: eating only locally grown organic food, generating no trash except for compost and using no carbon-fueled transportation....they also get rid of electricity...laundry n other soaps...cosmetics...toilet paper...disposable diapers...other consumable paper products....

no going out to eat...no buying ANYthing new...they rent borrow or buy second hand ONLY...

so i was thinking...because my family already thinks i'm nuts because we don't use tupperware or have a microwave i know i couldn't go aaaall the way nor do i feel like i need to...

BUT i would like to try to make less of an impact....n not so much so i can save the planet but mostly because we waste too much...n we (as a family) have TOO MUCH stuff...

i recently shared w/ a friend on facebook that i was embarrassed @ the fact that we can not park our cars in the garage because of all the "stuff" ...dresser drawers that won't shut...food that goes bad n has to be thrown out before it gets eaten......

when lottie was little she loved the berenstain bear books...they had a series called "too much______...like "too much birthday" n such...i could write a book.."toooooo much STUFF"

ok so does anyone have good recipes for dish n laundry soap...

I'm baaaaack....

2010-03-10T14:57:00.000-08:00

hey everybody...wow i can't believe it's been so long...

i spent last week in tacoma washigton visiting my precious little grand niece...

she is sooooo sweet n shaped like a ladybug....seeeeeee???

ava the babybug

holding her was a dream!

welcome to the world ava..all in all it's a pretty good place to be

2010-02-05T08:17:00.000-08:00

my {late} sisters daughter {my sweet niece} n her husband had a baby 2/2/10!

this little goundhog weighed in @ 9lbs n 22" looong!

introducing ava jordan

ava is african american, native american, spanish, japanese, n german

she's a tiny melting pot

february 1 --- plan of attack

2010-02-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

to-do list for the day
*laundry (especially towels)
*collect t-shirts for the haiti project
*update white board calendar
*grind wheat
*make granola
*make bread from my sour dough starter
*go for a walk
*work on weekly menu

this list sadly points out how i have done thus far on my yearly goals n one month has already slipped past me into history...

...take for example laundry...1 load of laundry a day (5 days a week) was my goal...but upon hearing one daughter suggest to another, who was looking for a towel for her shower to "just dry off w/ a robe"...i realized this goal has not been met

...next, t-shirts....i have yet to "organize-declutter-simplify" one single area of my life IN A WHOLE MONTH, let alone 1 a week..i guess it takes a natural disaster to get me moving....sad

...moving on to the menu...we ate home way less than "@ least 18 meals a week"...mainly because i did not plan well...must make a menu so meals are planned for

...you may have noticed i skipped over a few after all i don't want to drive myself over the edge...just kick my fanny into gear...here i go...wish me luck

help friends

2010-01-29T20:08:00.000-08:00

i have been so frustrated lately by not bein able to sell my wares very easily...pictures, descriptions, pricing....sometimes it takes longer than the creation itself...if i do sell them, i seldom get what they're worth...it's hard to "show" textile art w/out people being able to hold them n feel them...

so maybe a show....they always looks soooooo fun when i see them on other peoples blogs n such...i have always wanted to "do a show"...but i have never been able to find one close enough to drive in a day...do any of my artist friends out there know of any...we live right outside of huntsville alabama...just a thought

new ebay listings

2010-01-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

just listed some new items on ebay...here take a look

i know you by heart

2010-01-25T01:12:00.000-08:00

happy birthday my love (Job)

boy am i ever glad you were born

nooks n crannys

2010-01-20T14:05:00.000-08:00

these are a few of my favorite things:

ol blue highchair

hand made cloth dolls

ol rag rug

cotton

ol dog...harley

whats next...

2010-01-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

i am going to finish covering some antique books today...they have been sitting in a basket w/ their cloth for about a year...i want to use the basket so alas i must evict it's inhabitants....i also want to make a couple a penny rugs today...i heart wool!! BUT *insert whiney voice, ugly face n flopping around here* i have a mountain (not washington state size but most definitely alabama size) of clean sheets n quilts to fold before i get @ what i reeeeally want to do so farewell for now....

etsy n baby cousins

2010-01-17T15:40:00.000-08:00

i decided after much urging from friends to give etsy a try..i have been selling on ebay for about...mmmm 6 years r so...i love the idea of selling on a site where all the items are handmade r vintage...i have always been afraid my little sock dolls n stitcherys will get lost in the shuffle among....well....everything n anything you can imagine...so i did it...i listed 6 items last night n one already sold! my baby cousin in georgia bought it...she coulda had it for free but it sure did boost my self confidence! :)

this is the sweet little kitty that will be making her new home in georgia

the unsinkable molly brown

2010-01-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

ok i have (since i have been heavy) told by maaaany that i favor kathy bates...while for years i have cringed @ the thought wanting to look more like oh lets say sandra bullock, who by the way is a year OLDER than me, after a recent comparison n the usual following rant, mrs pack looked up some pics and i have decided to ...embrace the things that make me look like her waaaay prettier, younger thinner baby sister...

and besides....if shes in a movie she'a almost aaaalways my favorite character :)

welcome beloved followers

2010-01-11T10:08:00.000-08:00

thank you so much for following my blog...perhaps you have no idea but it gives me such a thrill when i see someone new has joined my following...to think that anyone finds my ramblings followable is so sweet...and encouraging!! and to those who "follow" it but have not officially joined the "following" for some reason or another i thank you as well...(miss bonnie :)...i do wish you to officially join tho...that way i know you're there! :) thank you again n don't ever hesitate to comment...your thoughts are very important to me! love

lisa

2010-01-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

missin my sister today...i was lookin @ an album of a friends christmas holiday which she spent w/ her 2 sisters n their family's...so sweet...but it brought a weird longing..she has been gone for some 16 years last october and certainly the raw sting is gone....but having a sister to travel w/ or to christmas w/ or to share the load of caring for aging parents...havin an older sibling that can advise you n share her experience...to have a person that has the same memories as you..her oldest is about to have what would have been her 1st grandchild...this is such a sober somber post...sorry

wow...3 post in one day

2010-01-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

a few of my newest creations.....

stitchery n eye glass case

n neck snug (modeled by my lovely youngest daughter charlotte)

friends

2010-01-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

i have found a new movie favorite....aaaaahhhhh....ok i have seen it 4 times now...every time someone new once to watch it i MUST see it w/ them! i tried to examine why i like it so much.....i have determined that it is because of the great friendships....how important female friendships are...makes me appreciate my friends so...

...farewell

2010-01-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

...little stow-aways that i keep finding around the place

...think i've rounded about all of 'em up

....back in the old suitcase until next year

What are your 2010 goals?

2010-01-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. --Luke 2:52
Mental - Wisdom

* Finish one book a month

* Finish 1 creative project a week

* Organize one thing (drawer, cupboard, box) each week

Physical- Stature

* Lose @ least 50lbs ( @ least 1lb weekly/4lbs monthly)

* Workout in some capacity everyday

* Only 1 glass of tea a day n water only except for weekends
* In bed by 10pm on weeknights

Spiritual - Favor w/ God

* Journal everyday --Bible - food - daily activities - song lyrics - etc

* One on One w/ God daily

* Pray for 1@ least one (non-family) person a day

* Fast 1x a month

* Pray daily w/ David

* Pray daily w/ girls

Social - Favor w/ man

* Start book club

* Spend @ least 2 hours alone w/ each daughter weekly

* Get up every morning w/ David for coffee

* Return phone calls

* Have a family that we don't know very well over for a meal 1x a month

* Do @ least 1 load of laundry a day (5 days a week)
* Send 1 note of encouragement @ least 1x a month

Financial - Added by me :)

* Eat @ home @ least 18 meals a week

* Create a working budget n stick to it

* Make menu weekly n stick to it

* No bounced checks

Misc.- ?

* Accomplish 1 home improvement once a month

* Compost - Recycle - Reduce Reduce REDUCE

one of the sweetest blogs around.....

2010-01-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

....just happens to belong to my eldest child...lucy...if your not a "follower" of http://vacuuminpearls.blogspot.com/ you are missing a delightful read..if i do say so myself....what a wonderful woman she has become....blessed to call her daughter n over-blessed to call her friend...

2009-12-29T08:13:00.000-08:00

december 27 1986

...let's find out the beauty of seein things thru

...these are a few of my favorite things...

2009-12-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

my girls gleaned a nearby cotton field...my christmas present...

oodles of raw cotton...can hardly wait to start creating

my sweetheart surprised me w/ this butcher block table that i've had my eye on for quite sometime...

when i drove by the antique store a coupla days ago it was gone from the porch...

i was so sad because i thought someones else had nabbed it...

the 2nd picture is laden w/ our traditional christmas mornin monkey bread

Melinda's Homemade Granola Recipe

2009-12-18T07:48:00.000-08:00

This is not myyyyy recipe per say...it's the recipe from a hippie chick naaaamed melinda back in the early 70's who lived in the san fran area....but my name iiis melinda n i haaaave been called a hippie on more than one occasion...so trust me here...this is recipe is finer than frog hair....

2 cups rolled oats (not instant)

1 cup peanuts or toasted almonds

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds

1/2 cup coconut (I always use unsweetened, but you can go for the sweetened kind if you'd like)

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ (I often omit this ingredient, as I tend to forget to buy it)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup dried fruit (dried apricots, craisins and dried apple are all delicious choices)

scant 1/4 cup cooking oil (not olive)

1/2 cup honey

Mix the oat, nuts and grains in a large bowl.

Measure oil into the measuring cup and swirl it around before pouring into bowl.

Then measure out the honey in the same, unwashed cup. The oil will help the honey exit the cup.

Toss everything together until evenly coated and then pour out into a baking pan. I use a large roasting pan, as it keeps everything contained. A cookie sheet with a lip also works, but you have to stir it slightly more carefully if you use that.

Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, turning it with a spatula every ten minutes or so. You want everything to be an even golden brown.

When it is finished cooking, returned the baked granola to the mixing bowl, add the raisins and fruit and stir to combine. Stir gently several times as it cooks, so that it doesn't clump together too much.

Enjoy! N let me know whatcha think!

christmas creations....

2009-12-16T06:22:00.000-08:00

....tonight i'm workin on some sock kittys....i have soooooome wonderful fabric that was taken off an ooooooooooooold wooden ironing board.....hhhhhmmmmmm...what to do w/ it....hhhhmmmm

old fashioned caramel corn

2009-12-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

1/2 c butter

2 c brown sugar

1/2 c light corn syrup

1/2 salt

1 t vanilla

1 t baking soda

24 c of popped popcorn

*heat butter ,brown sugar,corn syrup n salt in pot until it comes to a boil *continue to boil for 5 minutes

WITH OUT stirring*remove from heat*stir in vanilla n soda*pour over popcorn (i divided it in 2 baking pans)*bake @ 250 for 1 hour STIRRING EVERY 20 MINUTES

*the popcorn will not be completely covered but it is veeeery tasty

(i've always gotten rave reviews-hence the recipe) n has an old fashioned look

sugared nuts

2009-12-05T12:53:00.000-08:00

2/3 cup sugar

1t ground cinnamon

1/4 t ground allspice

1/4 t salt

1 cup any kind of nut you like

*combine all ingredients in skillet over low heat*stir constantly about 20 minutes or until sugar is melted and all nuts are coated*remove from heat n spread out on wax paper to cool

yield 3 cups

...look what i'm workin on....

2009-12-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

....these and a coupla other offerings will be listed

by the 1st of next week...so stop in n take a peek

recipe for caramel french toast

2009-11-24T13:57:00.000-08:00

ok ok ok....here it is...

*this needs to be chilled 8 hrs or so

(or over night) BEFORE baking

1 c brown sugar

1 c butter (divided)

1/4 light corn syrup

10 thick french toast 4 eggs (beaten)

2 c half n half

1 T vanilla

1/4 t salt

3 T sugar

1 t cinnamon

combine brown sugar, 3/4 c butter n corn syrup in a med saucepan....cook over med heat, stirring constantly for 5 minutes or until bubbly...pour into a lightly greased 13x9 baking pan...arrange bread in pan and set aside...combine eggs, 1/2 n 1/2, vanilla n salt...gradually pour egg mixture over bread...cover n chill @ least 7-8 hours (over night is good)...combine sugar n cinnamon n sprinkle over bread...melt remaining butter n drizzle over bread....bake uncovered @ 350 for 45-50 min until golden n bubbly...serve immediately....makes 10 servings.

**last time i made it i didn't have time to chill it and the caramel sauce was too runny so dont skip that step :)

my senses are singing...

2009-11-14T14:22:00.000-08:00

i adoooore laurel's kitchen cookbook.....

baking has so much more in store for one than the bliss of the finished product ...

here's what i mean....

another beautiful autumn day today here in northern alabama....70 n sunny....the leaves are on fire w/ color...

w/ our men folk @ a football game my oldest (married) daughter came over to spend the day w/ me n her sisters...one will never know the joy i feel @ having all of my girls under my roof...

my wheat grinder makes quite a mess so it prefers to do it's job on the porch...because of the beautiful day this task was a pleasant one...especially because my daughters followed me out n visited w/ me n each other...the warmth of the sun n the fragrance of the wheat being crushed n the softness of the cats as they wound around my ankle n the sweet singsong of my daughters voices was so delightful.....

oh yes back to the baking...

the kitchen held it's own delights....the sun streaming in the window catching little dancing flecks of floating flour...the smell of mashed bananas n pecans n sugar as they do their magic in the warm oven n mix w/ the fresh potted herbs from the window sill who offer up the fragrance of their oils to the warm sunshine....the warmth of the floor on my bare feet where the sun lies across it....hmmmmmmm

.......my senses are singing

just have to brag a bit...

2009-11-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

i was "just looking" around a local "junk" store yesterday n walked away w/ aaaaaaalllllll this for only $25! the yellow USA pottery basket was 75% off n each frame (2 tin n 3 wooden) was under $5!!!

look @ the hand carved little detail on this german frame

this USA pottery basket was $4.50 w/ nary a crack r chip!

this was part of the booty too...i originally bought it for the (tho in rough shape) hand carved wooden frame....

...but this sweet girl is startin to grow on me

the vintage moth....

2009-11-11T13:11:00.000-08:00

I found the most wonderful vintage clip art site today and its FREE!

thevintagemoth.blogspot.com

...caramel french toast...

2009-11-11T09:19:00.000-08:00

the fixins....

hot outta the oven...

about to be eaten...

BUBBLES!!

2009-11-09T06:08:00.000-08:00

i found a new (to me) artist! her name is susan hodgin. i looove her work...it's so...bubbly!! "falling" is my fav....i would have called it "floating" it feels to me that i'm floating in a glass of champagne!

falling

mums the word

2009-11-06T09:34:00.001-08:00

i was so impressed w/ mums today...i woke to a heavy frost...but there in the sparkly glitter ground stood these sweet flowers...i want to be like a mum...even when this earth thrust it's cold icy blanket upon me i want to remain delicate...yet strong...colorfully lifting all the gray around me.

OH i loooove wool & goats....

2009-11-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

my latest project....just need to decide...pillow or wall hanging

Sayin's I Love...

2009-11-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

pretty is as pretty does
clear as mud
actions speak louder than words
easy as pie
as a twig is bent - the tree grows
honest as the day is long
as neat as a pen
back in the good ol' days
don't burn your bridges
don't cut what you can untie
a watched pot never boils
a stitch in time saves nine
a labor of love
miles in 6ft of snow-up hill both ways
warm as toast
snug as a bug
sweet as pie
.........

autumn projects i completed.....

2009-10-31T13:19:00.000-07:00

hhhmmm...where to start...

2009-10-30T22:10:00.000-07:00

I am still learning how to do all that I want to do on this blog site...I want to load pictures of past work n such...maybe I can work on it this weekend!