Pages

Friday, September 30, 2011

Link Roundup


Don't give up. The beginning is always the hardest. ~unknown


Tho’ I keep searching for an answer
I never seem to find what I’m looking for
Oh Lord, I pray
You give me strength to carry on
Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams

An’ here I go again on my own
Goin’ down the only road I’ve ever known
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An I’ve made up my mind
I ain’t wasting no more time


~Partial lyrics
Title: Here I Go Again
Artist: WHITESNAKE

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Where I'm From (Writing Prompts)

I first encountered this writing assignment when a blogger shared her writing result from an assignment at a blogging convention. The blogger provided a link to the template. Within that link, was another link to a poem by George Ella Lyon, which the template (writing prompts) is based upon. I became intrigued and decided to give it a try.

I wish I had saved the original blogger's link where I first saw this writing assignment to share with you all. But, at the time, I did not know I was going to do participate in this challenge. I have since seen other bloggers share their results. So, this assignment is all over blogging land.

I first wrote using the template. I must say it is a difficult challenge. And, this is the result most people share on their blogs. However, I decided to go further and mimic the poem that the writing prompts is based upon. This required some intensive editing. I then went back and tweaked it a third time and decided to call it done. What you see below is my third and final draft AND I broke a couple rules doing this assignment. Oh well. I am a rebel like that. Ha! Enjoy.

Where I’m from template

I am from tiny batteries and hearing-aids,
from Energizer, Oticon and electricity.
I am from a house on “kissing lane”
with ghosts of sad happy memories.
I am from the Jewelweed,
the family of ‘touch-me-nots,’
an herb and a wildflower,
a jewel among the weeds.

I am from celebrations and unconditional love
from Marjorie, Viola, and Merle Sr.
I am from the penny pinchers
and the borderline hoarders,
from contracting Rubella and turning anger into laughter.
I am from Protestantism and Catholicism –
Believers in the One
who saves by Grace.

I am from flying seven flags and the Maine-iacs,
Lobster rolls and Pizzas.
From fanatical Cribbage players,
the writers,
and sentimental old fools.

I am from fragments of faded old pictures
and worn home movies in all their glory,
wondering and pondering
upon their stories,
wishing to know more with longing
for they are my history.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Wordy Wednesday


I'll Never do Catnip Again

Gracie often likes to lay on the boxes next to me while I play on the computer. I turned my head and spied her doing this. It made me laugh! I quickly snapped a picture with my phone. Here she is in all her glory for posterity sake. Ha!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Quilty Tuesdays: Layer Cake Quilt Top

This is currently on my design wall -- the finished quilt top from the Layer Cake Quilt Along.
I made Dan hold this while I snapped several pictures. His arms got tired. Poor man. Thank you for all your help!

I still think the sashing is a little busy; but, the border fabric calmed it down somewhat. I think my binding choice will further complete the project. This quilt top is currently back up on my design wall.

I will be starting the backing soon now that I am feeling more like myself. It was a hard few days struggling with health issues. For the first time this morning, I feel like doing things again. Hurray for that! I will be starting the design process for the backing to use up some leftover fabrics. I can hardly wait to get started! It should not take too long to complete because I have one Pure fabric that I will primarily use. I just want to add some of my favorite fabrics within the backing. Doing the backing has always been my favorite part as it is purely mine and it makes the quilt purely one of a kind.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Pictorial Monday: Morning Glories

I was outside yesterday morning looking for a good spot to take a picture of my finished Layer Cake quilt top when I spied this:


I was extremely surprised upon seeing these Glories!

Due to the severe drought, Dan has not had to mow the backyard much. As you can see, the grass is brown. The green parts in the foreground are low lying weeds. It had rained briefly once earlier in the summer, the weeds sprouted, and then Dan mowed them down. I believe this is the only time he mowed all summer long. Because of this, in addition to the horrible heat, both Dan and I were rarely outside. I could not believe my eyes upon spying these healthy Morning Glories and had to snap a couple of pictures.



By the time I took these pictures, the sun was well up in the sky and the Morning Glories were beginning to fade. I tried to get some shots of big fat ol' Bumblebees among the flowers; but, they were too darn quick.

I have always loved Morning Glories; but; we are going to have to tear these down because they are around the meter boxes. You can see the boxes in the upper part of the first picture. If we leave them, they will be destructive and cause damage.

PS. I am so behind on processing pictures. When I took a brief glance at the unprocessed pictures, the oldest is back on July 31st! Oh my goodness! Bad ol' me. I have a feeling that since I am feeling a little poorly this morning, I will be working on some of those today.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Link Roundup (and I am Back from Break)


Hello! I am back! More or less. Posting will be irregular because I am getting back into the routine of things. I never did accomplish all that I mentioned when I first went onto a blogging break. The "emergency" trip back home to see Mother kind of messed up my plans; but, I do not mind. After all, family is very important to me.

The only thing I managed to complete, more or less, is the pantry. I will just have to wing it with all the other stuff I wanted to do as there are many things happening between now and Christmas. The month of October is already full!

I also had a lovely little short mini vacation at North Padre Island during my blogging break. We had planned this for months ahead of time. It was perfect – just what we needed.

While at North Padre, I found out I became an great Auntie again! I wanted to go see the newest little one at the hospital so bad; but, we ended up postponing it and seeing her the following weekend. This turned out so much better all around as there was no rush - just pure relaxation. By the way, she is the cutest little girl with red hair. I hope that red hair stays. We will see.

Well enough gabbing. I will post when I can and hopefully, regular postings will resume over time. If not, I know you all will understand. And now, here are all the links that I have collected since I went on break. It has gotten rather long and that is why I am posting this now instead of next Friday. Enjoy.

P.S. I won A charm pack from Moda called Dogwood Trail by Sentimental Studios. Instead of posting a picture of my winnings here, I am planning to show you what I will do with them in a separate post. It may be awhile because I am slow as cold molasses when it comes to projects. But, this is on my things to do lists. So, I am sure it will get done sooner or later.

P.P.S. Today is the first day of Fall and I am so looking forward to cooler weather! How about you all?

  • DIY Lined Envelopes Crafts;
    Uses fabric (leftovers) or papers

  • Fabric Memory Game Crafts; Sewing
    I would use 100% cotton or Flannel (or both!); but, that is just me. I cannot stand wool because my skin breaks out into a rash after contact with the stuff after a while. This would be cute with “I Spy” types of fabric.

  • Sock Snowmen Crafts; Tutorial; easy!
    More options here. You can practically do anything!

  • Hanging Hoop Wall Pocket Crafting; Tutorial (provided in a line within post).

  • Credit Card Case Crafts
    Uses a binding post screw, package of name badge holders, fabric, and some plastic.

  • DIY Wood Cutting Boards DIY; Woodworking
    I want Dan to modify this and make me one in the shape of a pig. :-)

  • Spray Paint Glass with Words Tutorial
    Love this idea! I would probably clutter the bottle(s) with a bunch of words though. Ha!

  • Baby Food Jar Pincushion Sewing/Crafting; Tutorial
    I love this! I am going to keep an eye out for baby food jars.

  • Salad in a Jar
    Uses a vacuum pack machine with a jar saver attachment which I do not have; but still, it is a neat concept.

  • Mason Jar Meals
    If you liked this part, go to part II as it has more ideas

  • Ice Cream in a Bag A Fun Dessert

  • Candy Corn Waffles
    Uses Icing Colors.This is just too cute. I have always LOVED Candy Corn and this looks awesome.

  • Candy Corn Bugle Snack Mix Recipe and Tutorial.
    Too cute! And there are variations such as party hats! By the way, no real candy corn was harmed in the making of this snack mix. Ha!

  • Two Frenchies Sustainable Homesteading
    About a rabbit (French Angora) and a chicken (French Maran) that lays a Chocolate Egg! (By the way, I love this blogger’s pictures!)

  • The Push we all need Christian, Inspirational
    I ask God where he wants me to go and where I should begin…please plant a person in my path, reveal it in a dream, whisper it through movie quotes and fortune cookies…anything but just stepping up with a bat in hand and giving a big ‘ole swing.

    Even a “swing and a miss” would suffice at this point.

    Why can beginning be so difficult?
  • "Reclaim Blogging": Why I’m giving up Twitter and Facebook.
    Why?

    Because Facebook and Twitter are too easy. Keeping up a decent blog that people actually want to take the time to read, that’s much harder. And it’s the hard stuff that pays off in the end.

    Besides, even if they’re very good at hiding the fact, over on Twitter and Facebook, it’s not your content, it’s their content.

    The content on your blog, however, belongs to you, and you alone. People come to your online home, to hear what you have to say, not to hear what everybody else has to say. This sense of personal sovereignty is important.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Just Letting You All Know....

The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley.
~ Robert Burns
Note: The above is often misquoted as "The best laid plans of mice and men go oft astray."

{taken with my phone on September 10th, 2011 at North Padre Island}

I am just letting you all know that I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I will be back to regular programming in about two weeks. At least, that is my hope. I miss the creativity of blogging. But, life takes priority. By the way, I received awesome news while at North Padre. I became an Auntie again! I can hardly wait to see the newest little one.



Monday, September 5, 2011

Interruption of Blogging Break: Update


This is an interruption of the Blogging Break.
This is done to bring my family an update.

I did end up returning home to the Houston area Monday night. We left late in the night and arrived approximately 3 hours later - after midnight. My mother was sent to the ER after being unresponsive in the nursing home. I wanted to be there for her, my brother and sister-in-law. After all, I am free to be there where all the others are working. In other words, they have a life and I don’t. Ha!

Anyway, when we arrived, Mother was doing slightly better. It appears that she “revived” after receiving IV fluids. It turned out that she had an extremely bad infection. They admitted her into the hospital and she received antibiotics via IV.

I stayed with her during the days at the hospital. She slowly recovered and returned to her normal self. She was released Thursday evening. She was very happy to return “home” and to all things familiar.

I visited with Mother whenever she had a meal delivered – three times a day. I noticed a few things changed with her. She is very lucid and awake in the mornings. She also will eat breakfast – eggs, sausage patty, and more. She even drinks some OJ and milk straight out of the carton! How weird is that?!?!? She is more tired during lunch and very tired dinnertime. So, maybe her schedule changed to where she is more awake in the mornings now?

I also noticed that she has trouble expressing herself. She knows what she wants to say; but, she had difficulty saying the word(s). For example, Raisin Bran was delivered and she said “No. I want…” She knew exactly what she wanted; but, she could not speak the word for some odd reason. I’d say “Cheerios” and she’d say “yeah”.

She also has to think about things a little. For example, she had butter in one hand and a knife in the other. She was stuck for a few. She looked at both items for a few seconds trying to figure things out and finally figured that she needed to put the butter down to pick up the bread.

In spite of these minor issues, she is still Mother and she is doing extremely well. I left this morning to return home. My kitties, especially Gracie, were very happy to see me. I have to say that I was very happy to see them too as I had missed them. And, of course, I’m extremely happy to be with my Dan again too.

Due to this event, I have decided to extend my blogging break another week or two. I hope none of you mind the extension of the break; but, I really need time to regroup and recoup.

This Concludes the Blogging Break Interruption. Thank You for Your Patience.