Not Much of Anything

I don't have much to show for what I've been doing with my time.  I have made more of the coasters that I posted about some time back. Made more of the wrapped bowls.  And been trying to get the backyard looking less like Winter since we 'finally' got Summer!  I've had visitors for the weekend.  And, I've done a lot of playing!  I am getting ready to go on my first cruise ever!  North! To Alaska!  I am excited.  I will be going on 4 excursions, to see the glaciers up close, animals up close and a train ride up high.  Riding a catamaran through the Fjords hoping to see lots of eagles and whales.  I WILL be having room service each morning, early, since that's the way I roll, and then sitting on my balcony drinking it and enjoying the view.  I hear it may rain, it may be foggy, whatever,  even if I have to pull blankets off of my bed to wrap up in, I WILL have coffee on my balcony at least one time.  Paid extra for it, will use it.

I did finally made the Gum Drop Ottoman by Amy Butler. My talented daughter 

gave me the pattern a loooong time ago.  I used material from Joann's Fabric's. I did make mistakes, that's why I used material that was not too expensive.  But, I'm going to make one using a bit nicer material.  I won't make the same mistakes but I'm not expecting perfection out of me, yet.  I love this ottoman and IF I put in the right amount of filler it will hold up my feet better!  Go figure.  It was fun to make and I love the style.  The picture isn't great, but just deal with it.  Sorry, did that sound snippy?  

My nephew saw the recipes of my mom that I had framed for my daughters, my sister and myself.  He sorta, kinda, hinted that he really liked it and would really like to have one too.  So, this is what I did for him.  He doesn't have it yet, but I'll get it to him.  The recipes are in my mom's handwriting; one is on scrap paper with some scribbling on it, it suspiciously looks like something his mom, my sister would have done.  Just saying!    I made a copy of one of the pages out of my mom's beat up cookbook, I just love that old book.  It is so old fashion and looks fun in the background, the other little pictures are from the cookbook too.  There is also a recipe from a newspaper which is dated back in the 70's.  I hope he likes it.

Have to put in at least one plant picture.  Last year this cactus had one or two blooms on it, this year four!  They don't last but a couple of days but the color is SO spectacular, they almost glow.


Anyway, that all folks!  The next blog should be all Alaska!  

People, Places & Things

We remember many things about people that we love and have had to say good-bye to.  Each person has their own traits, talents, habits, likes and dislikes.  But, we all have something that stands out in our personalities that people remember the most.  Besides loving to laugh and tease, my mom was known for her cooking.  Good ole Southern cooking with lots of bacon grease and sugar and eggs.  She could whip up a pie or cobble without thinking about it.  And her pie crusts, best ever.   My daughters Corinnea and Sherie got her talent for cooking.  They were blessed to have spend many times with her in the kitchen  as she cooked.  As I was trying to think of something creative and meaningful to get them for Christmas, the thought came to me of my mom's old cookbook and recipes that I had.  So, I created for them both (only got a picture of one of them) a picture using some of her actual recipes. I also made copies of some of the art work from her old cookbook to add to the 30's - 50's look.  I think they liked them very much!   Two days before I had to say good-bye to my mom, I made a promise to her.........this was a project to work on that promise.  It was good for me to do and I think for them also. 

The pictures are'nt great because of the reflection.  But, you get the idea.

Sometimes people come into your life for a short time, but in that time can make an impact on you.  One such young lady did that.  She has a gentle, kind spirit and never made me feel that there was a large age difference between us.  AND, just so happens she is  an amazing quilter and seamstress.    I was blessed to have been able to spend time with her doing crafts.  She was the young woman that taught me how to make the adorable and fun coasters.  I blogged about them in an earlier post.   Anyway, the time came for her and her husband  to move on.  I think of what I (and others) would have missed if his work had not brought them here for a short time; the great example of her gentleness and I do not exaggerate that fact.  To send her off with something to remember the crafting days she, I and some other friends had, I made a wrapped bowl for her.  I told her she can hide it in a cupboard, but she said that it would be used in her sewing room. 

After many months years of trying to decide what to put up at my living room window, I finally did it!!!  Change is good!  Between both my daughters ideals and their window dressings, this is what I came up with.  Now I wonder WHY OH WHY didn't I do this sooner.  The look is so much better, cozier, prettier; guess you could say I love it......

 Picture the big, wooded blinds with a window scarf above it and you will understand why I am loving this change so much.  Change change change.....isn't there a song!!


I spent a weekend with some very dear friends at Bodega Bay.  The weather was perfect, it wasn't crowded.  Kites were flying, seals and birds were swimming, good food was cooking, games were being played.  The trip was for fun, to be with friends.  It was also  for a good bye to a gentle man.  It was good to be together and to share memories . 

 Had to do one token sunset however uncolorful it turned out to be.

 I love it when the unexpected gift is presented to me.  Another very special friend asked me if I would like a sewing cabinet she didn't need.....Would I???????   Oh yes, I would.  So, gone is the shaky sewing table card table and in it's place is a for real sewing cabinet WITH STORAGE!!!  Guess what I have been playing with for the last two days!  I now have more room for my sewing corner of the sun room.  The sewing and crafts seem to be taking over the sun room....

 Are three pictures too many to post of my sewing corner?????   I think not.


Now, the next three pictures are of a 'Tea Party Hat' I created.  Yep, going to a tea party and there is a prize for the best hat....I want the prize, don't think I will win it because there are so many talented ladies that I will be up against.   But hoping that an Easter bunny tea hat will at least get some awwwww's, how cute!  Hmmmm, we will see!

I loved the baby chickies, had to have them...