Quilts Pots and Yarn

Office Redo

2011-09-28T15:25:00.004-05:00

I have started redoing our home (Lord, help me!) room by room. This month I started on Hubby's office. I didn't take a true "before" picture because I wasn't thinking about it, but this is how it looks at the moment. Forgive the crappy photos and the mess (it was much, much worse!).

We ordered new carpet and are waiting for it to be installed and in the bottom photo, you can see that I was playing around with the paint. I painted a swatch on the wall of the color Hubby choose and didn't like it so I played around with a couple of glazing techniques, but in the end, I started liking what he originally picked out. The desk in the bottom photo is staying. I picked it up at a moving sale last year to replace the monstrosity that you can somewhat see in the first and second pictures. Hubby had that poor desk for years before we met and it made 2 moves with us. When we moved into the house we have now, Hubby had to screw it together in key places in order for it to stay together. I finally decided that he deserved a new desk and was thankful when I found the "new to us" one.

That bookcase standing there in the corner, which is still holding the Harry Potter series and a few odds and ends, yes, that one, I kid you not, I took off 2 plastic containers worth of books and "stuff" and that doesn't include all the Consumer Reports magazines (2003-2008) and crap that ended up in the garbage (yes, the CR mags went into the garbage too). I'm not telling Hubby that I threw them away or anything else! I promise you he won't miss any of it!

I'm picking up the paint tomorrow and I'll start painting on Friday. I want to have it all painted BEFORE the new carpet is installed, that way I don't have to worry about getting paint on it.

I'll post more pics when it's painted and the carpet is installed. Pray for me!

Friends uplift the soul

2011-09-16T18:48:00.004-05:00

When did I get a social life? In high school, I didn't go to town every weekend and cruise with my friends. In college, I didn't have dates. During my first marriage, I had my ex-husband's family and very few friends. But today, my friend Lisa called me and had a list of things she wanted to invite me to! Now, don't get me wrong, I've had invites from friends before, but this afternoon, as I was telling Hubby about her call, he said to me, "You're quite the social butterfly, aren't you?". I stopped. And then I thought. In the past year, I have had to actually start using my "calendar" feature on my iPod Touch in order to keep up with everything I'm involved in. Every time someone calls me and inquires about a certain date, I have to say, "Let me get my calendar."

So, what's changed? In all honesty, not too much, but on the other hand, a lot. And I have to give Lisa quite a bit of the credit. Her infectious enthusiasm for life has changed me. She and I have started a twice-a-month knitting group at the local quilt shop that I frequent. I have invested in a line of yarn, in said quilt shop, and my little side business is doing pretty well (the cooler weather is helping). And another friend and I are in the process of setting up a retreat for a group of women, us included, that sew/quilt/knit together on a regular basis.

Just a few short years ago, I was very depressed. Hubby worried about me and I was even worried for myself. After infertility treatments, a failed adoption and turning 40 (my self-imposed cut-off age for having kids), I was a mess. The quilt shop saved me! And I mean that literally. This awesome group of women embraced me and included me and pulled me out of my depression. I found my niche. Now, again, someone has come into my life and has pushed (pulled) me into not just participating in my life, but actively living it. Oh, what a feeling!

Good news/Bad news

2011-09-07T21:47:00.004-05:00

Good news:
Hubs found a new job! Yay!! He will be a state nursing home auditor. He starts his training a week from Monday. It's a traveling job, but I'm actually looking forward to him being out of the house since he's been home 24/7 for the past year.

Bad news:
Step-daughter is engaged. This would fall into the "Good news" category if she wasn't engaged to "The Jacka$$".

Good news:
I've started selling yarn in the local quilt shop that I go to. The summer was kinda slow, but now that it's starting to cool off, sales have picked up and I start teaching knitting classes this weekend.

Bad news:
Our AC quit last Saturday. The compressor went out and it looks like it's going to be an expensive fix.

Good news:
Even though our AC went out, it happened on the last hot day we've had and this whole week we've been able to open the windows and use the attic fan.

I'm looking forward to our library knitting group tomorrow. I get to see my friend, Lisa, and she always cracks me up. She's a new friend and I have to say, she makes me smile just thinking about her. She's a hoot-and-a-half and a truly amazing woman. She has a blog here. Give her a visit. She'll appreciate it.

What I've been up to...September 2010

2011-07-25T19:19:00.014-05:00

So here is part one of my update on what I've been up to for the past 18 (or so) months. Let's flash back to September 2010.

My Uncle Doyle (my Mom's last living brother) passed away in September of last year. He and my Aunt Jean lived/lives in Colorado Springs, CO. My mom, of course, wanted to attend the funeral and being the great daughter that I am (and since Hubs and I had recently bought a new vehicle), I took her and my brother to Colorado. My brother and I had never been and it had been YEARS since my mom had been, so it was a bittersweet trip for all of us.

We stayed with my Aunt Jean and guess what she has in her back yard? Pike's Peak!

She took us to the Garden of the Gods and it was breathtaking. The pictures I took don't do it justice.

Sunrise over the Kansas plains on our trip home.

The funeral service was touching and beautiful. The time we got to spend with family we haven't seen in years was priceless and the trip home was welcome.

P.S. Why didn't someone tell me that Kansas was 3,000 miles long??? Well, it seemed like it anyways!

OMG

2011-07-24T21:55:00.001-05:00

Holy Cow! December 2009 was my last post? Where have I been? What have I been up to?? Stay tuned! I'm back and I'll be filling in the gaps in the coming days/weeks....

THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU

2009-12-06T07:17:00.002-06:00

One of the blogs I follow, Mass Hole Mommy, posted this on her blog this morning and I thought I'd pass it along. Alot of us will be traveling to see family and friends during this time of year and it's something we need to think about (all year around as well).

1. Of course, I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink-----and the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom......and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-------understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)

14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

21. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

December Monthly Menu

2009-11-30T19:55:00.003-06:00

I can't believe it's December already. Does time speed up somehow the older you get???

Here is my 2 week December menu. I repeat weeks 1 & 2 during weeks 3 & 4, which is why I am only posting 14 meals.

Beef Stew
Pork chops & applesauce
Fajitas
Clam chowder & super grilled cheese
Ham steak & green beans
Pizza night
Salmon skewers & wild rice
BBQ meatloaf & broccoli
Steaks & sweet taters
Chili
Beef brisket & corn on the cob
Lasagna
Pizza night
Monterey chicken & asparagus

I will be posting *fingers crossed* recipes along the way as I prepare the meals. You can click on the Mommy's Kitchen button on my sidebar to check out her December menu. Have a happy December!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T08:36:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to stop in real quick and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Have a safe and fun-filled holiday with your family and friends. I'll be back early next week with pictures from Madison's pageant. Now I'm off to start/finish up some dishes for supper later today.

Pioneer Woman, I salute you!

2009-11-09T18:19:00.003-06:00

In honor of Pioneer Woman being in Little Rock tonight for a book signing of her new cookbook, and since I didn't get to go, I went to her site this morning and found this recipe to make for my and Hubby's supper tonight.

I'm sorry there are no pictures to share with you since it was scarffed down almost as soon as it came out of the skillet! If you like, nay love, beef, then you MUST try this recipe. All Hubby could say was, "Babe!!!". It was really good and definitely a must have again.

We have also had her Apple Dumplings, which my 6 year old granddaughter loves to make by herself. Perfection!

I thank you, PW for such an awesome recipe! And congratulations to you on your cookbook (which I still haven't ordered yet, but I will, I promise! Unless you want to send me a free autographed one...kidding... kind of....no really...well...maybe...).

Can anyone tell me...

2009-11-08T18:06:00.002-06:00

how you let go of something you've dreamed/wanted of your entire life but you know is never gonna happen?

What do you think?

2009-11-05T09:41:00.002-06:00

Ok, so I started this blog with the intention of making it about my quilting, cooking and knitting projects. *sigh* But it has not turned out that way. My question for you is...should I just rename my blog so that it reflects more of what I (naturally) write about or leave it with this title and just write more about those things? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Guess who wants to do pageants now?

2009-10-19T20:19:00.000-05:00

Yes, that's right. My 6 year old granddaughter has discovered pageants. Or rather, she's discovered a new way to play dress up. Andrea and I took her to pick out a dress for the upcoming Christmas pageant and here are the results.

No to this one.

Her mom and I wanted her to choose this one, but alas, she gave us the thumbs down.

Nope, not this one either.

This, of course, is the winning dress! It's pink, which we knew would be the outcome. A redhead with freckles in a pink dress for a Christmas pageant. She definitely has her own sense of style. Kudos to her for that!

40!

2009-10-18T15:56:00.000-05:00

My 40th birthday was 12 days ago. I have decided that being 40 is better than the alternative and I'm not going to have a breakdown over this!

My dear brother, who is only 1 year and 13 days younger than me, has been harrassing me since my last birthday that I'm old. So what did he get me this year for my birthday? Something from my Amazon.com wish list, perhaps? Nope, instead I got these cute little bites and a little note that read,

The gold is for the golden years you are entering,
The silver is for the silver in your hair.
The black is because you're so da** old!

Yes, he got me a bag of solid black ones too. Not the brown ones that come in a traditional bag, but black! I love them and him and I am now plotting my revenge for next year when HE turns 40!!!!

Early B-day presents

2009-09-16T08:54:00.005-05:00

Every year my hubby asks what I want for my birthday, and every year I say, "Nothing.". Well, this year I beat him to it. I found some really cute shirts on sale at Old Navy and I told him yesterday morning that I knew what I wanted. So now, I have 8 new shirts and 3 new scarves coming as my early birthday presents. Here's what I got:

4 of these in saucy red, lake victoria, black jack and purple velvet

this one in plummy mummy

2 of these in black jack and marshmallow white

this in black jack

2 of these in lagoon and blink pink

and this in black

Did I also mention that I had an email coupon for 15% off and since I used my ON credit card, I got free shipping. HORRAY!!!

I love Old Navy, but was so disappointed when they stopped carrying their Plus size line in stores. Now if I want something, I have to order online, which is quick and easy, but I like actually feeling the fabric and trying stuff on before I buy it. *sigh* At least they have a plus size line that I like AND is affordable.

Well, I'm off to the quilt shop for the rest of the day. I've got to take hubby some lunch (he requested sushi) and then pick Madison up from school. Her mom is taking her to the fair tonight. Hopefully, the rain stops so they don't end up soaked and sick!

Never forget...

2009-09-11T08:23:00.002-05:00

all those that lost their lives and their friends and loved ones on this day eight years ago.

Giveaway

2009-09-02T18:05:00.002-05:00

Do you love totes/purses as much as I do? If so, head on over to Crafty Mama Creations and check out the one she's giving away on Sunday. And if you don't want to enter? Then check out her etsy site for bags she has for sale. Beautiful!

September Monthly Menu

2009-09-01T20:09:00.003-05:00

OK, so for the past (almost) 9 years, I have done monthly menu planning. I type out a months worth of suppers and do my grocery shopping from that menu. I used to do it on a bi-weekly basis, based on hubby's paydays, but during the hot summer months, I hated having to go out even that often. So since the beginning of summer I've stretched out my grocery trips to once a month. Then I found Mommy's Kitchen and she posts her monthly menus on her blog. GENIUS!

Here is my September menu with linked recipes.

1. Beer brats, easy baked beans
2. Burgers, pea salad
3. smothered pork chops, oven roasted asparagus
4. crock pot pork butt, steamed broccoli
5. crock pot pintos and leftover butt, cornbread
6. pizza night
7. bacon cheeseburger meatloaf, mashed taters
8. steaks, mashed sweet taters
9. southwest chicken tacos
10. meatball stuffed shells, garlic bread
11. easy pot roast (I also add 1 envelope onion soup mix to this recipe), corn on the cob
12. garlic chicken, oven roasted asparagus (see above)
13. muffuletta and chips
14. pizza night

OK, I should mention that instead of having 30 different meals, I instead have 14, that I schedule this way: meals 1-7 week 1; meals 8-14 week 2; meals 1-7 week 3; meals 8-14 week 4. I should also mention that every Friday night is Pizza night. Sometimes that is homemade pizza, sometimes frozen store bought and sometimes take-out...depending on my mood and schedule. Now, I realize that not every family wants to eat the same thing twice a month, but it works for my family, so please adjust to fit your crowd.

Bon appetit!

Giveaway

2009-08-28T09:05:00.002-05:00

If you are a super crafty person and love organization...or even if you're not crafty and need to get organized, head on over to Twiddletails blog for a giveaway in honor of her "500th Post Week".

Good luck...but I'm gonna win!

Yum

2009-08-16T17:45:00.002-05:00

I am so going to try these. Simple ingredients + easy instuctions = YUM (hopefully!)

ARGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-13T12:07:00.002-05:00

I am pulling my hair out right now! Day before yesterday, I filled out a refinance application online for our house. We found that we could drop our interest rate from 7.25% to 4.8% and drop it from a 30 year note to a 15 year. Horray! Well, I got the call a few minutes after I hit the Submit button that we were approved for the refinance. Horray! Then at the end of the conversation, our processing person told me that they would be doing an appraisal, I thought "ok, no problem", then he told me that someone would have to be home because the would also be doing an INTERIOR appraisal as well...wait, what??? I've never heard of in interior appraisal, but I said "sure". The guy told me that someone would be getting in touch with us in 5-7 days to schedule that appraisal.

Fast forward to last night. About 28 hours after we were approved, the appraiser called and said that he would be in our area the NEXT DAY!!!!! Oh, and by the way, they would also be taking interior photos!!! Lovely! I had planned on an evening watching Monsterquest and all of a sudden I've got to clean the entire house and make it presentable....interior & exterior. Hubs and I got up this morning at 7am and have been working ever since. Yard mowed and trimmed...check...beds made...check...floors vacuumed and mopped...check. Now I have a splitting headache and we're waiting for the guy to get here.

Please Lord let it appraise for what the county appraised it at for taxes!!!! I'll keep you posted.

No excuses

2009-08-11T10:52:00.000-05:00

The only reason I've not posted anything since February is, well, laziness. No other excuse, but I am turning over a new leaf and I promise to be more diligent, whether I have pics to post or not.

Stay tuned! Fair season is right around the corner and Madison has asked me to help her with some blueberry jam to enter this year. I'm also entering one of my baby quilts. Be back soon...I promise!

Hearts & a Quilt

2009-02-14T16:14:00.006-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Hope you have someone to love on today and everyday.

I've started another quilt. It's called Fun & Crazy. Super simple and quick too. Here are some pics of my work so far.

Yesterday was Madison's kindergarten Valentine's party too. She invited Lee and I, since her mom had to work.

Is spring coming?

2009-02-11T22:51:00.003-06:00

Guess what I found yesterday when I took the dogs out? My daffodils are coming up!!! YIPPEE!!! Hopefully spring is right around the corner.

25 Things About Me

2009-02-10T19:21:00.002-06:00

I thought since I've been tagged so often on Facebook, that I'd post these here too.

1. Contrary to what anyone else says, I have the BEST husband in the world.
2. I met my husband online and we got married 5 months after our first date.
3. I'm thankful that my parents raised me in a Christian home.
4. I won a blue ribbon at the county fair when I was in Jr. High for raising chickens for 4-H.
5. I lived in Tennessee for 4 years.
6. I've been to the Bahamas. (Hated it!)
7. I'm afraid of heights.
8. I taught myself how to knit one weekend when I was bored.
9. I've been known to walk barefoot in the snow on more than one occasion.
10. My fabric collection is bigger than my husband realizes.
11.I love the act of DOING laundry, but I HATE putting it away.
12. I learned how to quilt from my Mom (initially) and the fabulous ladies of Sew Unique (now).
13. I own 2 sewing machines, an embroidery machine and a serger.
14. I love to shop at Aldi.
15. I love to cook.
16. Even though I love going to the lake during the summer, I don't know how to swim.
17. Fall is my favorite season.
18. I love mowing the yard.
19. I'm still trying to come to terms with never being able to be a mom. (See #20)
20. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2002.
21. My husband surprised me with Toby Keith concert tickets one year for Valentine's Day.
22. I am a huge procrastinator!
23. I spend way too much time on the computer.
24. My Mom is one of my best friends.
25. My Dad picked my middle name, Annette, because he liked Annette Funicello.

Now it's your turn. Leave me a comment with one thing about you.

The Ice Storm Cometh...and Goeth!

2009-02-04T17:59:00.005-06:00

The ice storm came last week. School let out early on Monday and we lost power on Tuesday afternoon. Lee spent 2 nights where he works, while Madison and I stayed at the house with no power, which meant no heat. Thursday, Lee came and got us and we spent the next 3 nights at Good Samaritian, the nursing facitlity where he works. The administrator let employees, their immediate families, pets even, stay in the unoccupied rooms and apartments. They even fed us for free and trust me, after 2 days with no hot water, I really appreciated a hot shower! They were so awesome to us and really lived up to their name. We went home on Sunday night and the first 6 houses on our street had power...we are the 7th house :o( But we did finally get power back yesterday afternoon. Oh how I dread having to clean out the frig and freezer, but luckily we didn't lose as much as some others that we know.

I can't believe I almost forgot to mention, Madison lost her first tooth (bottom middle) Monday night! She pulled it herself after I "deaden" it with Ambesol. She was so proud of herself and so excited about the tooth fairy visiting (the fairy brought her $2, I only got a quarter when I was a kid).

Kindergarten Field Trip

2008-10-08T16:07:00.013-05:00

Well, like I told you yesterday, I went with Andrea today to the Berry Farm for Madison's field trip and I took tons of pictures. I also bought a 3 pound bag of blueberries so Madison and I can make blueberry jam this weekend. She's already thinking about next year's fair entries.

Enjoy the pics...

Hayride to Mulch Mountain, the Corn Maze and U Pick pumpkin patch.

Petting zoo consisted of 2 little horses and a donkey.

Mulch Mountain

Madison's class (1 of 18 Kindergarten classes at Mountain Home Schools) on top of Mulch Mountain.

Madison and Allie hunting for the perfect pumpkin to take home.

Madison, Allie and Stormy showing off their loot.

General Store (I'm going back this weekend to get some pumpkin butter, apple butter and some of their fresh squeezed apple cider. YUM! I love fall!

Aren't these gourds beautiful!

This girl never has enough pumpkins!

Madison and Momma

Can you say, "Wipe out!"?

2008-10-07T08:44:00.003-05:00

Holy cow! I just realized that it's been quite a while since I've posted anything new. Yesterday was my birthday...the big 39. Wasn't I just in high school??? They say "time flies when you're having fun", so I must be having a BLAST!

Lee's and my 8th wedding anniversary was last week. We went out this past weekend and had dinner and saw "An American Carol". We spent the weekend before that at his 35th high school reunion. He had a great time and I had fun watching him with all these people that look so much older than he does.

We got a phone call on Sunday from a potential birth mother. She lives in upstate New York and was wanting us to adopt her baby due in a few weeks. Unfortunately, I started getting the standard "red flags" of a possible scam, so I quickly got us out of that. I'm hoping that she's truly sincere in her desire to find a family for her son, but I've been burnt too many times where this is concerned to allow myself to become too emotionally involved too soon in the process. The emotional scars from what happened before are still too fresh for me and it's been almost 18 months. *SIGH* I cannot dwell...it still hurts and makes me angry all over again.

My mom came Sunday and will be headed home today. We always love when she comes for a visit and are always sad to see her go. Madison's kindergarten class is going to the Berry Farm tomorrow and she asked me this morning if I would go with her. I know that Andrea is going so I think I'll ride over with her and take pictures. Madison loves to see herself on my blog. I'll be back tomorrow with pictures.

Photos

2008-09-18T14:13:00.007-05:00

Here is a picture of Madison waiting to get into the exhibit building to pick up her ribbon.

Here she is with her red ribbon peach jam. She is so proud (and so is Grammy!)

Oh my gosh! Is she too cute or what?

Also, here is a new picture of the lastest addition to my Etsy shop.

This little organizer is so cute and SO easy to make. I love it and I've already made one for myself in fall colors.

County Fair

2008-09-11T08:15:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was our county fair parade and Madison asked me to ride with her on her dance studios float, so of course I HAD to. LOL My tail bone is so sore today. DH gave me a massage last night and that helped tremendously, along with 3 ibuprofin. After the parade, I took Maddie to meet Andrea at the fair. She (Mads) was soooo looking forward to riding the Sizzler. I told her not to throw up!

Madison also had her first fair entry this year. She asked me last year when I won some ribbons at the fair, if she could enter this year and I told her sure. So she kept reminding me over the past year that she wanted to make something to put in the fair. She decided that she wanted to make peach jam, so when the peaches started getting ripe, I took her to the farmer's market and let her pick out her peaches. She did everything herself, with minimal help from me. The only thing I really didn't let her do was pour the jam into the jars and seal them. So how did she do??? She won a second place (red) ribbon!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of her and she wants to make tomato sauce next year to enter. I think I've created a monster. LOL

Here is the recipe we used for her jam:

Spiced Wine Peach Jam

1/2 c. golden raisins
1/3 c. dry red wine or juice (pineapple or orange juice can be substituted)
4 c. finely chopped peaches (5 or 6 medium peaches)
3 T. lemon juice
1 box dry fruit pectin
5 c. granulated sugar
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground allspice

Bring raisins and wine to a boil in small saucepan, remove from heat, drain and discard liquid.

Combine raisins, peaches, lemon juice and pectin in a very large stainless steel or enamal saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Add sugar and return to full boil and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and allspice.

Ladle into hot jars and **process for 10 minutes in hot water bath.

Makes about 6 cups.

**NOTE: I did NOT process in the water bath. I never do when I can. My mom never did and I learned from her. I have found that when the food item is boiling hot and you put it in HOT jars with heated lids, as the food cools, it seals itself. I always check the next day and if any jars haven't sealed, I promptly put those in the frig and use them first. PLEASE, do not follow my example if you are not comfortable doing so. Do as I say and not as I do!

This recipe came from The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving 2nd edition by Ellie Topp and Margaret Howard.

I love this book!

Moving in...

2008-09-02T08:05:00.003-05:00

Well, our home dynamic is changing. Lee's daughter, Andrea, and her daughter Madison are moving in! Andrea is so flooded with debt that she can't afford her apartment and be able to make payments on her other bills. She is also getting ready to start nursing school in January, so we told her to move in with us until she can get out of school and back on her feet. Madison is so excited! She has been telling us and her mom that she wanted them to move in with us since she was 2!

Andrea & I have been working on getting our basement fixed up for her. We started painting yesterday and today we're going to finish with that and since one of her brother's friends came and got his pool table out, she's going to have plenty of room for a living space. Luckily, the basement was already finished when we bought the house and we already have a living area (tv, furniture, etc), a bedroom and a full bath, so all we need to do is just paint and do some sprucing up. The only downside to this, that I can see so far, is that ONCE AGAIN, my sewing studio will have to wait. I was waiting for the pool table to go, so I could set up my new Koala cabinet, but now, it will be pushed to the side...again. *SIGH* Oh well, we will enjoy having them here and I know that a huge load has been lifted off Andrea's shoulders. That's what family is for, right?

Etsy

2008-08-25T10:45:00.002-05:00

Oh how time flys when you're having fun!!!

I am now on Etsy. I am starting out slow, but will be building up my inventory as the days go by. I decided that it's time that I started finding a way to support my fabric/quilting habits, so that DH can have more money for his own spending habits. After all, he is the one working outside the home, so I think he deserves more of the "leftover money" for himself.

Madison started Kindergarten last week, and she also moved up to the intermediate class in dance. She's now taking jazz, as well as ballet and tap. She also got her hair cut since I had her pictures made. It now hits the tops of her shoulders and is so adorable!

I can't believe how "cool" it's been here for the month of August. In the 80's, with relatively low humidity. SO NOT like a typical August here in Arkansas. I shudder to think what winter may bring us.

Well, so much for this. I've got to make sure I have all the ingredients to make Pasta Puttanesca for supper tonight. Madison requested it, so she could take some leftovers to school for her lunch tomorrow. TTFN!

I am sooooo tired!

2008-08-07T08:40:00.003-05:00

I know it's been a few days, but now that things have settled down (kinda) I can take this opportunity to catch up. Kimberleigh went home yesterday. DH took her to meet her dad (my oldest step-son). I didn't get to go along unfortunately, because Madison has strep throat. I have been taking care of her and I had to take her to the ER Monday night (thank goodness her mom was working) because her fever just wouldn't go down. So now she is on antibiotics, but still running fevers, just for not as long. Between the fevers, cold compresses, and the seemingly constant "Grammy I need ________." (fill in the blank with anything from a Popsicle to a hug), I am wore out.

Ok, enough about that for now. I know some of you reading know nothing about my family dynamic, so let me fill you in somewhat, so that you're not totally lost. I have 3 grown step-kids, Justin (29), Andrea (26) and Tom (23). Justin is Kimberleigh's dad. He and his wife, Kristin, live in a small town south of Little Rock where he teaches math and coaches the tennis team for the high school. Kristin works in Hot Springs at a plant nursery. Kimberleigh lives with her mom in the NW part of the state and visits Justin every other weekend and split holidays.

Andrea lives less than 15 miles from us, and works at the local hospital's ER. During the day, she works as a unit secretary, but has now completed her CNA training and works nights as a CNA. She is hoping to start nursing school in January. Madison is her daughter, and I have been Madison's "babysitter" since she was 6 weeks old. She is here on the days when Andrea works and on Andrea's days off, Madison is with her.

Tom works in Missouri for the railroad. He has changed jobs several times since getting out of the Army. He served 2 tours of duty in Iraq and I think he has been "trying to find himself" since getting home. He doesn't have any kids, and no one he has dated, so far, has lasted. But he is young and I tell him not to be in any hurry.

Ok, I've got to stop for now. Madison needs another dose of medicine. I promise that I'm going to get some photos of my projects on here this week!!!

Pics of the girls

2008-08-02T18:53:00.005-05:00

My mom and I took the girls to have pictures made today. They picked out their own outfits yesterday at JCPenney. Are they cute or what???

Family visiting

2008-07-31T20:33:00.002-05:00

My mom came today to spend a few days with us. She lives about an hour from us and she'll be here until early next week. Mom, Madison (our youngest granddaughter) and I are going to drive to Little Rock tomorrow morning to pick up our oldest granddaughter, Kimberleigh. She's coming to stay with us for a few days as well and she and Madison are barely able to contain themselves! Those two are more like sisters than cousins. While we're down in the central part of the state, I promised Madison that I'd take her shopping for school clothes. She is so excited to start Kindergarten this year and she just got her room/teacher assignment this week. She'll also be taking jazz dance class this year in addition to ballet and tap. This child is only 5 years old and she has more on her schedule than I do! LOL

I'm hoping that I can get some pictures of my WIP's up sometime this coming week. I'll also have to post some pics of the girls doing their things, whatever that may be.

2008-07-30T23:19:00.001-05:00

My First Post

2008-07-30T22:48:00.001-05:00

Ok, so I am now doing something that I thought I'd never do...joining the world of blogging. Am I crazy? Well, I guess that would depend on who you ask, but that's never stopped me before.

Well, where do I start? I'm sure it won't matter too much, considering that no one other than my wonderful mom and perhaps my equally wonderful mother-in-law will be reading this. When I read other people's blogs their lives seem so interesting. I'll just say right off the bat that my life isn't interesting. I am a stay-at-home wife, step-mom and Grammy. I have the best husband in the world, 3 grown step-kids that I love and get along with and ("my" girls) 2 granddaughters that mean the world to me. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how interesting this will be in the long run. If nothing else, then my mom and MIL can see what I've been up to in quilting class.