Come Along with Me....Lynda Dunham-Watkins......

Nostalgia bit me....

2012-02-24T04:29:00.000-08:00

Oh MY! Did I tell you that the fabric in this quilt top is 1960's double knit?

Sorry, I've not been back sooner, but I've been tied up in the throes of wanting to tell you the entire quilt top disappeared, was stolen, or some not so far fetched idea of a lie. Anything to insure that I didn't have to finish three of these....or maybe just never mention it again! That would work...hmmmm...maybe not.

But, no, I couldn't do that. I finished them...damned near finished me!

Sewing again on double knit..material so old that I recognized two fabrics used to make clothing for my daughters, and have pictures of them wearing the garments to prove it!
I can remember when I thought double knit was a godsend to working mothers, no more ironing, kids dressed always neatly, no wrinkles, wash and wear! Could it be any better? I didn't know at the time it would take over 200 years to disintegrate. I can witness to that. The fabric that I recognized is still as bright as ever.

When attaching it to cotton or just sewing it...it stretches..out of shape..into my nightmares. I don't now and never did like to sew with it.
I'm really not fond of these cushions after finishing them and may give them away. I'm not really fond of that quilt top..yep, nostalgia is waxing a bit thin. I have so many beautiful quilt tops that Mom made....I can let this one go.. and may!

Now, you see why I've not been back!! ARG! A few pictures.... to tell the story..well, part of it anyway...

Another reason I've not been back sooner..my grandson was ill. He is so much better and will soon be totally recovered as an answer to the many prayers. But during it, I simply couldn't concentrate on writing, sewing, or anything other than worry and baking. I bake when I worry. My husband loves for me to worry..not really..but he does love his pie!!

Looking forward to this weekend. I'm attending a Precious Metals class with my friend, Mary, in Plano. We will make beautiful silver jewelry and learn so many new skills. Love learning new skills and tools....probably have to buy some more!! Have a wonderful weekend and I will be back on Monday with tales to tell!! See ya!

Almost Wordless.....

2012-02-20T05:35:00.000-08:00

President's Day, and I hope you'll all enjoy a day at home or on the go, whichever you are!
Just a short note today. We're waiting on word regarding a grandson's health today, and I've not the oomph to write. Please pray for him.
I did get a bedroom painted and a good start on the cushions! Will update tomorrow.

Working, working,working.......

2012-02-17T05:55:00.000-08:00

The foam for the cushions arrived yesterday! So.....I'll be working on them today and the weekend.

I plan to take pics as I go along and will share with you on Monday. Just wanted to drop by this morning and say hello and have a warm fuzzy Friday leading up to wacky wild weekend...if you so wish!!

or a westful,warm weekend!! Gus is excited about the cushions......See ya on Monday!

And I said.....

2012-02-16T06:23:00.000-08:00

After yesterday's post, I began storing clay that I knew I would not being using for awhile and just general cleaning. I happened to look down at an angel that I had been trying to get underway (unsuccessfully, I might add), and picking up the pitiful looking clay mess, my other hand picking up a tool, I began to sculpt...standing. I feared sitting down because that would mean I was really sculpting, etc. I was cleaning my space so I could do other things.

I stood for quite awhile...until her head was ready for baking and her little body had enough for a pre-bake. I think my muse came back long enough to tell me that I would still be sculpting, but I could do other projects also. LOL! Strange......

Long inspired and fascinated by the artwork of Sulamith Wulfing, I am attempting to sculpt my interpretation of one of her drawings, angels delivering an infant from the heavens. There is no time limit...no urgency..just the desire to do it right which may take me months. There's nothing else I want to sculpt right now which makes me know that this is what I'm to do. I'll share pictures with you as I go along. Here is a head, just baked, no painting, just clay.

Another figure will be attached by the metal post sticking out of her head. Lots of work ahead.....
See ya!

Directions....

2012-02-15T06:47:00.000-08:00

Changing of...going always forward...
Lately, I can get NO inspiration for sculpting...tired of Santas, historical figures, little interest in any other figures that I can think of. I'm simply not sculpting, and I know it's because I don't want to.
I still love to work with clay, but have made the decision to put away my traditional figures and works and change directions.

Lately, I spend a lot of time searching for online classes featuring precious metal clay. Combining polymer and metal clay sounds fascinating to me, but I've yet to find what I'm searching for.... or porcelain and silver, copper, or bronze metals, either in jewelry pieces or small sculptures. Firing would necessitate a small kiln, I think....which means money. I continue to search.

In the meantime, I have several sewing projects ahead that I'm really looking forward to.
The foam I ordered should be here today or tomorrow so I can begin the bench cushions.
And drawing.....and painting.....these are the two things I really want to do right now.
And why do I feel that I should be sculpting? NO reason, and it cannot be forced. I've been trying that. When I'm ready to return, all my supplies will still be there waiting plus inspiration which my muse has decided to withdraw at this time....probably has filed for annual leave or....oh,my..hope she hasn't died! Horrible thought that she might not return, but if I know my muse...she will return when the time is right. I think she needs a break and has sent in a replacement!!

But for right now, I have work to do here in my little studio....packing things up, changing out some of my tools and getting ready for a new chapter in creativity, of which I do not know what is contained in the pages I will turn but I'm getting excited.

Two days ago we had snow. Yesterday was breezy and cool. Today will be 72F. I think spring cannot be far behind, regardless of the wooly fella's prediction! Thought I would share a spring tablescape I did for the bathroom...can almost hear the birds sing!! Have a lovely spring day!! See ya

Happy Valentine's Day to all you Sweethearts!

2012-02-14T06:08:00.000-08:00

Wordless post today!

See ya!

Frosty......

2012-02-13T06:07:00.000-08:00

Good Monday morning to you all! We have about an inch of snow with a bit of sleet under that, and at 32F, I'm glad I don't have to get out this morning! Broke but happily retired!

I've had a busy few days, finishing up a project that I can't tell you about yet 'cause it's for a birthday happening soon, but when the day arrives, I will have a pic for you. It's something I've been meaning to do for ages but could get NO inspiration for until I saw a magazine cover and it was BINGO! So happy with it.

I mentioned on an earlier post about ordering a wine rack for towel storage. It arrived! I used white spray paint over the brown metal and then sanded it lightly for a little shabby look and here it is. I absolutely love it, and using it for my towels freed up a lot of space under the counter! Yea!

And then I filled it......

And emptied this.....

Now, I can fill it again with something...... I LOVE making empty spaces....I don't like every nook and cranny stuffed with stuff. Here's another neat organizer for my bathroom cabinet. One holds my hair brushes, and the other holds the vitamins, etc., that I take each day.....no more moving bottles around trying to find the right one. On my shelves, I have everything in containers like this...makes cleaning and searching so simple.

I am finally back to sculpting and will share with you tomorrow. Have a grand day and stay warm! See ya

Afterthoughts.....

2012-02-09T06:14:00.000-08:00

Now I'm really excited but dismayed at the same time. Yesterday, I ordered a sheet of foam so I could make the forms for the square pillows that I plan to make from one of Mom's quilt tops. The square pillow forms aren't really square...sort of rounded square, and I want square with straight sides, so one can sit on them.

Why didn't I think to search for cotton for the stuffing instead of forever foam???
ARG! Shipping would have been exorbitant, I'm sure....but I really, really wish I had thought of it. One step toward being eco friendly that I messed on.
But, I'll still love the pillows!

I saw on Pinterest a wine rack being used as a towel holder in the bathroom and ordered one. It arrived yesterday and I hope to have it on the wall today with pics for tomorrow.

Short post today. I'm on my way to my daughter's house to play with her grandson...which makes him my...yep....great grandson. He's almost seven months and crawling everywhere. I've not seen him since Christmas so today will be a blast.

And....still I can hardly believe that I've entered that period of my life, but I'm loving every minute of it.
That is the reward of having your children when you are hardly more than a child yourself!
Have a lovely day! See ya

Riot of Color!!

2012-02-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday! Hump day for those of you working....I remember it well!!

For the better part of Tuesday, I was knee deep in Mom's quilt box and got so inspired by the splashes of colorful patterns and want to share some pics with you and then share a project I'll be starting soon. Many of them are hand pieced quilt tops; some appear to be quilt kits with designs that she has stitched around; some are hand appliqued and some are machine stitched. All are beautiful. There are three that I want to have quilted if I can find a person to do it, and I'm sure I can....somewhere.

What treasures from Mom to have hanging in a bedroom to be used as needed when family arrives! Scroll to the bottom where I'll share with you pictures of pillows I found on a website that I want to make using a quilt top she made. They are 16 inches; I need 14 inches square.
Now I have to find square pillow forms! None here, so, I'll have to order them before I can begin, but the idea is there and they will be gorgeous on a bench I have in my hallway that needs a dose of color!! Thank you, MOM!! She pokes me when she can help out!

And here is the quilt top that I plan to use for all three pillows. I'll choose a small print, etc., for the sides. Won't that be gorgeous?

Be kind and hold your tongue. One ill-placed word can wreck a day for someone! I try to take my own advice!! See ya!

Blessings!

2012-02-06T05:07:00.000-08:00

Good Monday morning to you all! Hope your weekend was productive...or not...whichever you were going for!

Super weekend for Super Bowl weekend! An old friend was here for the weekend, and we shopped 'till we dropped Saturday and Sunday. Helping her with a bit of decorating, we found so much neat stuff for her to take home and arrange. She can hardly wait to leave this morning so she can arrive home with her treasures. I look forward to pictures!

I think I may have a convert for cauliflower pizza crusts and oopsie rolls and I know I've added a new lover of my cream puffs. Sending 'Wheat Belly' with her will hopefully convince her and anyone else who reads it to break the wheat habit.
Getting to enjoy two friends for the last two weekends.... I truly feel blessed and thankful for them both!

So looking forward to this week. The carpentry work is finished...no more noise and people in and out of our house. I've reorganized storage closets...have everything pretty much in order. Sharing an idea for storing ribbon rolls...

.
This was a pant hanger found in the back of a closet and works beautifully as a ribbon hanger on the back of a closet door; great way to store messy ribbons...Life can get back to 'normal'....whatever that is. I seem to have adjusted somewhat to being retired, and I am ready to firmly entrench myself in a routine.
My elliptical machine has been dusted, oiled and ready to hum. Rosetta Stone (French) has been upgraded; the headphones are ready, and so am I. Recently, I learned with much excitement that my daughter is taking me to France this fall.

The dream trip of my entire life will actually become a reality when I step onto French soil. Excitement is spreading through me, fueling me in preparation. Not only do we want to see as much of Paris as we can, we want to explore the countryside, finding less touristy places. Any ideas from those of you who have been there? The generous spirit of my daughter and son-in-law leaves me glowing inside and a bit speechless. My contribution is to learn the language enough to get us around!! What fun this will all be!

Enjoy your day!

From a broken handle comes ideas for gifts.....

2012-02-03T07:20:00.000-08:00

While repairing the broken handle and covering the wine stopper, I began thinking of all the beautiful patterns and colors to be made from clay to cover stoppers, spreaders, etc., and what wonderful Christmas or anytime gifts these would make. If you are family, one of these will be in your stocking. If you don't drink wine, you may have to start!! Cute items for my Etsy shop also. (plans to revive it) Ah...another project!

I promised pictures--

The pattern reminds me of a old-fashioned quilt. I love the bright colors!

Which reminds me, next week I plan to search through a container, stored in the attic, filled with quilt tops hand pieced by my mom years ago. I have a bench in the hall in dire need of cushions and thought perhaps some of them would make delightful covers for such.

Check back next week when I share my discovery. I've not been in that box in a long time.
Sorry the blog is late this morning, but I had to finish the wine stopper and then do the photo.
Have a great weekend! I think we have rain promised!! Love one another.

Re-New!!!

2012-02-02T06:35:00.000-08:00

Ever had a prized object break? Sure you have. That happened to me yesterday. When I quit work last month, I began to organize long needed areas, sorting through boxes of pictures, objects not seen for ages, etc.
I found a treasure from many, many years ago, and acting upon a decision to use everything instead of 'saving' I put this beautiful cheese slicer in a kitchen drawer, determined to use and admire it often. This treasure was brought home to me by a client from a trip to the Netherlands, then known as Holland. It has been safely stored in a box for so many years that I no longer care to count!!
Using it one evening, suddenly it became like a baton in my fingers, and I couldn't control its movement as it twirled and swirled through the air and landed on the tile floor. Handle now shattered, I was in despair!

Lovingly, I brought it to my studio with thoughts of....something......
And last night, I thought....FIX IT with some of my polymer clay canes! Make it pretty again. It won't be as it was...but it'll always be special to me and now in a new kind of way. So, here's what I did. I filled the hollow handle with tightly packed foil and shaped it to curve similar to the original handle.

Then I covered the entire handle with masking tape so the clay would adhere, covered the tape with TLS (Translucent Liquid Sculpey) to further the adhesion.

Searching through my clay, I found this brightly colored cane I made ages ago. Since I'm in an 'orangy' phase, I decided to make it bright and happy. I rolled out a piece of black clay for the background and began placing thin slices of the cane in a random pattern.

Pressing the entire piece lightly with my hand and then running it through my clay designated pasta machine, I was ready to cover the handle.

Since I have plenty left, I'm thinking I will cover a wine bottle stopper that I have with the same pattern. Won't that be cool? I'll bake this for an hour 275 degrees; sand it but not too much.....thinking a little texture will be good for grip...no more twirling for this piece...put a coat of poly on it and I'll show the finished piece tomorrow. See ya!

It's what I do.....

2012-02-01T06:52:00.000-08:00

My mother was an artist, a late blooming artist, as many of us are. I certainly am. Art began for me long ago but I didn't pursue any particular medium.

As a young girl, I sketched pictures of girlfriends' boyfriends on pieces of cardboard so they could throw darts at it when the break up came.....pretty popular item back then!!

If anyone was napping, out came a piece of paper and with pencil in hand, I would try to sketch their sleeping faces. Sleep relaxed faces are different than when stressed-out awake. Besides, the person was still, and I could take my time! I started sculpting about 6 years ago and now dabble in watercolor, painting on silk, and other projects. Several other mediums I would love to explore, but exploring takes extra money, and that may come later.

It's what I do....makes me feel good about myself...to have finally found myself, even though I am a late bloomer. A gift from my daughter several years ago, "Late Bloomers" by Brendan Gill, is an eye opener and a must read for all of you who think you are too old or lack the talent to turn your lives around or to explore the hidden desires you've held quietly for many years. Only when you die is it too late to live.

Back to my mom. Mom died a little over 4 years ago. Her paint case was with my brother who gave it to me last year. Mom had not painted for many years before she died. I've left it fastened, sitting here with me in my work room that I refer to as my 'studio'. I like the sound of that. We do what we have to do to make us feel good about ourselves. Right? If not, you should.

The case is brownish-red, the kind that opens from the middle, making trays on both sides, and has her initials, SR, in large stick on letters. As I said it's been sitting there, patiently waiting, and finally I mustered the courage to open it. The odor that met my nose with strong emotion was that of turpentine, oil paints, and my mom. Yep, I cried...knew I would.

And then I explored... her brushes, the oils that were still good (some have been in there for at least 20 years) the little jars that held the oddities of painting...one with her handwriting 'Brush Cleaner' that I will treasure forever.

I was gone from home with a family of my own before Mom even began painting, so the memories are not of childhood. They are memories of the pride I felt in her, in her accomplishment, of pursuing a dream she harbored for many years of which none of us was aware. And today her artwork is loved by all of the family. After she gave up painting, she continued with her love of needlework, hand stitching beautiful quilts, crocheting table cloths for all of us.

Opening this case was a reminder for me to continue with my artwork. Sometimes I get discouraged, and think I will quit, but after all, it's what I do.

Glass Shattering

2012-01-31T07:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, sounds of shattering glass mingled with the usual sounds of the house, dog snorts, snores, growls, ringing phone, TV (always TV noise) (to me it is noise-not just sounds) doors closing, lawn mower, cars in the street, and the occasional groan as I attempted to construct a difficult armature for my next sculpt. I'll share it with you as I begin the piece.

I have new windows on the northern side of the house YEA! Beautiful, brown frames with low E glass have replaced my old, silver frames with waxed-paper thin glass. Standing at my sink and facing the window when the wind blew was like having a fan blow cold air. I can assure you it was not refreshing....a bit startling! Now, let it blow! The savings on the utility cost should ease the cost of the windows. Now, I want the ones on the front done!!! Later, I tell myself.....

The crew doing the work is the same that helped me redesign my kitchen a bit, so I knew how neat they were. Neat in that they cleaned up after themselves...hardly ever a mess for me to contend with. Actually, never a mess.

But, windows? I was expecting the worst and when it began, I could only bear to stay in my little studio....no nerve to watch! When I did venture in, I saw cardboard panels hanging over the windows with a worker pounding away with a hammer, shattering the glass as it fell outside on a tarp where it could be bundled and taken to their trailer. And then, the frames were handled much the same way. Earlier when the procedure had been explained to me, I thought, "Oh, my! Maybe, I'll go away for a couple of days."

By 6:00, everything was back in order just as it was before but with wonderful, new, clean windows. They even put back up my wood blinds....highly recommend these fellas! A bit of finishing up today, caulking a few other places and it's over.

Last week I told you about planting English peas. Well, I also planted tomato and basil
seeds in a small starter kit.

And now look at them!!
See ya!

Unique Day

2012-01-30T05:32:00.000-08:00

Good Morning! Today is unique. Treasure it. Make it special. You'll not ever see it again, no repeats! Make it count because it is a day in your life.

Hope you had a nice weekend. I did. A friend came for a delightful visit. She's not an acquaintance; she's a friend to treasure, to have fun with, to talk with about anything, even to argue with a bit sometimes. LOL Not that we did, but we do sometimes, lightly. She doesn't always agree with me and that just enriches our friendship. I think that is a strong plus for a friendship, don't you? We tease each other about the other one always being right...(grinning)
I always value her opinion. AND she has this fantastic embroidery machine that she makes stuff for me....this time she brought small white Christmas stockings, covered with lavish embroidery. Stunning! The picture does not do justice to their beauty. I may have to hang them before the holidays. Geez, hope she comes back soon!!!!

We dug through a couple of antique shops before she left and found a hall table with my name on it. At least 6 months ago I found an arrangement that I wanted to mirror for my entry hall. I cannot give credit for this picture because I don't know where I found it....on the internet somewhere.

I looked at tables similar to this....believe me...not a one of them had my name. WOW, $1100 etc. Nope, I've waited.
And, we found one that works beautifully for $125. I used articles from other places in the house and will change them later. I want to do sketches for the wall and frame pictures much like they have done. Here's what mine looks like so far. I love it!! This one had my name in capital letters!!

The doll is Siguorney, one of my pieces, and the art work on the wall is also some that I've done. Sorry for the glare on the glass. I think it has promise! And now to cover the wall! What fun I'll have!

Have a good one! See ya

Who Knew?

2012-01-27T05:17:00.000-08:00

Who knew that you can prepare pizza crust and bread sticks with cauliflower?
Discovering new ways to prepare foods the low or no carb way has been so much fun with delicious treats on the side. Even though I've used the low carb method to lose the 5-10 pounds that I pack on by eating carbs/wheat products, I've not searched for recipes, etc.

I, now, want to maintain my weight (maybe minus 5 pounds) and wanting to have a greater variety, began to search for ideas. Finding and following the blog YourLighterSide.com has been a great treat. I encourage you to go there to read all the wonderful recipes she has collected and honed to perfection. Today is Cream Puffs!

Last night's pizza was out of this world! I'm heading to the kitchen to try the Cream Puffs now.....

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend!

How serious are you about health? YOUR health.

2012-01-26T21:02:00.000-08:00

I'm at loss about the rider for the horse. As an artist, I have wasted too much time trying to figure out what I want to do with this...and can't decide -- which means my muse has left me on this dude; therefore, I'm leaving it for awhile. We all have many UFOs (Un Finished Objects) (I thought it meant Unidentified Flying Objects (ages me) however, mine could fit into that category also!!

I file it along with others that I will get back to someday. I have this marvelous fish with Don Quixote astride, and I can't decide how to paint him, amongst others.....but just last night, I decide a mermaid should ride him,so we never forget them. They are there for another day.

As a respite, I want to address some health issues. We are not getting any younger, my friends. For many years, I have practiced the low carb lifestyle when I would gain a few pounds; thereby, managing somewhat my weight.

A few years ago, I began to suffer leg cramps that were debilitating in that I could not get any rest and the panicky pain was horrible. This went on for many months. I was exhausted due to lack of sleep caused by these horrendous calf and sometimes thigh cramps (charley horses). A 'friend' on Facebook said to take a Magnesium tablet with 2 Calcium tablets each night before bed. It was instantaneous relief. My doc had run every test you can name. Normal were the results. I was low in Magnesium, regardless of their results, and perhaps in calcium. Calcium is necessary for good muscle health also.

Without those 3 pills I would not go to bed.

Pills cannot cure everything though. Contrary to my lifelong beliefs that you should read more than you do anything else, my reading is limited to the few minutes between falling into bed and falling into sleep ( for an hour or so) (not due to leg cramps- must check this one out). I continue to not sleep well,but it isn't because of leg cramps. I truly think Yoga is going to help me with this.

Please read "Wheat Belly" by William Davis, MD if you don't read anything else for the next 30 years. People say, yes, we have children who are allergic to gluten. Oh, my, it's not just the gluten, it's the wheat,,,,...it's the grains we are eating. These are not the grains of yesteryear. The biblical grains are not what we eat today. The seeds have been genetically altered to provide food for the masses. It is nutritionally bankrupt.

Our wheat of today is killing us.

Wheat, according to Davis and many studies, is causing our nation's obesity epidemic. "...as addictive properties that cause us to ride a roller coaster of hunger, overeating, and fatigue."
We are talking about adverse health effects from diabetes to heart disease to immunologic and neurological disorders like celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and dementia. Multiple Sclerosis is another I am wondering about.

"Today's wheat has been genetically altered to provide processed-food manufacturers the greatest yield at the lowest cost...causes blood sugar to spike more rapidly than eating pure table sugar..." and non of this was ever tested by the FDA.

Diabetes is also a horrific disease. Please, think about all of this and take action. What else do you have to do?

I promise not to preach on every post. I may on some. Love to all. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't do it.

Sleeping...or not..and water..

2012-01-25T04:26:00.000-08:00

Most nights I don't sleep very well, started several years ago. And have always waked early...sometimes, stubbornly I just lie there, determined not to give in (to whatever) until I can no longer bear the inactivity, and then throwing away the covers, plant my feet on the floor and practically stomp my way to the bathroom to finish waking. As I see my frown in the mirror, I quickly smile and give thanks for being alive another day!!

And then I'll do it again...repeatedly...as I did this morning, waking at 4:00am to sounds of pouring rain (after waking at 12, and again at 3).

This house sits lower than some around us, therefore; we had a water drainage problem in the back yard when we first moved here 1 1/2 years ago, almost had water in the house during a monsoon like rain last spring even with a French drain system...even with both of us wielding brooms as paddles in ankle deep water with the skies drenching us with more rain and lightening cracking throughout the ski mimicking a huge fireworks display. I just knew one of us would not survive. Shudder. I would not want to repeat that scene even though we were under the patio cover. Bill raced for sand. I began peeling cases from pillows and we made sand bags, so as the downpour began to subside, we had a sand bag barricade against the patio doors to keep the inside dry.
With assistance we began a drainage ditch that ran across the back yard to the side and out to the street. With the street flooded and water being above the drainage pipes from the drain system, water wasn't going anywhere except towards us and the doors.
Finally, it began to drain. I knew then what we would have to do.
The fellow who came to help was the same who had put down St. Augustine sod a few days earlier. That was removed along the route of the ditch and re-sod later. The French drain system was also reworked by the people who originally installed it. And with the drought we've had for the last year, we've had no problems with water....

We have had a few hard downpours, and have had no problems, but this is the first really heavy rainfall, so we'll see.

I was out there with a flashlight at 4:00am, checking it out while trying to get our 130 pound German Shepherd to pee in the rain which he was having no part of and which he had no part of last night before bed because it was raining with a bit of lightening. The dog must have a gallon sized bladder. He will hold it until finally he will go out but just enough to get an ounce of relief. So scared of storms, rain, lightening, wind....years ago he finally convinced us he is a house dog, convincing us he doesn't need a large house in which to nestle, so we have a large dog, a small dog and a small house in which we all nestle quite comfortably. Guess he knew.
On the other hand, our Westie goes out in the rain and does his job. The GS sits under the covered patio and watches him, whining a bit before going back into the house...still full and miserable.....but dry. Sheez! He's a wimp but we love him.

Not what I planned to write about today, but guess that's what blogging is all about...current events! It's 6am now. I have my flashlight in hand...still raining...going out to check the drainage. Gus, the GS, just raised his head, looking at me as if to say, "No, I'm fine."

Hope your Wednesday is wet or dry whichever you need!! See ya!

2012-01-24T05:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday everyone! I can't remember the poem about describing people born on different days of the week. One is full of grace. I do remember Wednesday's child is fair of face....I was born on Wednesday! I always wished I had been born on a different day so I wouldn't be so pale (with freckles). Mom said that wasn't what it meant.....but since everyone remarked on how 'fair' I was, what was I supposed to think??? LOL

Rain is in the forecast for today and tomorrow. I don't want a flood but we really can use rain, and I'm sure you can, also.

We are, however, at this point waiting on the weather to clear for a couple of days so the new windows on the north side can be installed. Hopefully, within a year the other ones can be replaced. The weather has been perfect for several days, but.........

They did install the remaining section of counter top yesterday though and now my kitchen is done! YEA!! We bumped out a wall into the garage pantry to make more floor space (it was sooo tiny) gaining space for our giant refrigerator and had to rearrange cabinets to fit which meant building one small cabinet and replacing the worn counter top. The difference it made is truly amazing. I go in there to look quite often...totally in love with my 'new' kitchen.

I have my mom's butcher block table in my kitchen, crowded as it may be....would never give it up. It had a top that I never used because I've never had room for it, but now...tada.....my handy hubby and I re-attached it last night, and it is now complete and in the perfect place. Pictures later this week!

I didn't get much done on the rider, but today promises to be a rainy day and I will be glued to my work table, so pics tomorrow. Since I've been rambling about the kitchen, wanted to show you the lights I put on the top of the cabinets. They are the small, clear tree lights. The glow at night is beautiful. I LOVE IT!!!

The cabinets are all connected, so the lights go around the entire top. Pretty cool!
See ya tomorrow! Hope you have a blessed day!

2012-01-23T05:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday to you all! I like Mondays now......that I'm not working! Broke but happy.LOL
I actually made time yesterday to begin sculpting again. Getting my hands on clay again felt sooo good. A few months ago, I took an online course with a wonderful artist and learned to make horses from styrofoam and papier mache. Now, the basic horse is not a fully developed horse, muscles, etc.;however, that could easily be done and I will do that on the next one. This one, I just wanted with long, skinny legs, and couldn't decide what figure I wanted riding. I initially wanted a primitive type Santa, but then changed my mind. I can do that....and do, often!!

The lonely animal has watched my every move, hoping for a comforting be-hind of a friend to be perched upon his back. So, I'm working on such a friend. Don't have a picture of him yet, but have most of his body and head done. Here's a picture of the horse....not quite finished....that's his fluffy black tail...still unattached..

IF...the carpenter's don't show up with our new windows to install today...I'll have pictures of the thin fella up there tomorrow.

Have you ever eaten roasted Brussels sprouts? Oh.My. You must try them. Even if you don't like them steamed with butter...which I do. My husband who thinks anything green is poison eats them (one piece) but that's amazing!

Cut them in half. Toss gently with olive oil, salt and pepper. I also include garlic powder. Place cut side down on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, or if you choose to wash the pan, just oil the pan. Nothing goes in my oven without a lining of parchment paper...nothing sticks and no mess....and no oiling or spraying the pan...so, it saves money and is healthier. Anyway, bake at 400 degrees for 15- 20 minutes or until tender to your liking. They should be brown and a little crusty here and there. (I could never write a cook book!)

When done, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and pig out. One recipe I found called for lemon juice at this point and I tried it last night, but I have to say, I like them better with just the cheese. I will be having the leftovers for breakfast this morning!

See ya!

2012-01-21T05:28:00.000-08:00

Good Saturday morning to you!!
Chilly this morning but 72F yesterday....probably 60s today...and back up to 70 tomorrow. Even for us, this is strange weather for January. However, February can bring some cold, wet weather, and we do need the wet! A dry hot summer...a dry winter...can't believe anything but another dry summer ahead for 2012. And if so, I'll have to let a few shrubs, etc., go. Tough decisions.

With positive thoughts and hopes for a lovely, 'normal', spring and summer, I planting 2 beds of English peas yesterday! How's that for being an optimist?? Planting beauties....Those two little green 'things' are freshly picked collards. Yes, there are others in another bed! LOL At time of planting, the beds were crowded, so I stuck them in this one. Now, they stand alone!
In 61 days, I should have ENGLISH PEAS! If you have never eaten them fresh...oh my...you have missed a treat. This will be the first for me in a number of years, and I can hardly wait!

After planting the peas, I picked a bowl of fresh greens for tonight's dinner for me....my husband won't touch them!! I don't care....just that much more for meeeeeee! I do wish he loved them as I do. We could pig out together.....but, I think he thinks they should be food for pigs! Well, oink, oink, here I am! It's a mixture of mustard, collards, turnip, and chard. Cooked with a few small pieces of browned salt pork, several large dashes of Balsamic vinegar, a few red pepper flakes, pinch of salt, freshly ground pepper, simmered in water until tender, and behold, sprinkled with some hot sauce there appears a feast for me! Cold weather doesn't bother these hardies. I've enjoyed greens all winter. Wait until I show you my broccoli that's ready to cut!!
Have a lovely weekend, and I'll see you again on Monday when I'll show you a sneak peak of something I'm working on in the midst of this madness!

Beginnings!

2012-01-19T20:20:00.000-08:00

New beginnings.....new, old beginnings...new now but I've done it before! Does that qualify for a new beginning?? I think it does.

I've not blogged in several years, and I've missed it. I've missed talking to you, sharing whatever I had to share with you for that day, and you sharing by commenting about whatever I'm blathering about or simply sharing your thoughts. I'm baaaaaaaack!

So many changes happened in that time frame. We've moved to town..gave up our beloved 2 acres of earth and all its wonders, but gained a cute little house that is still a work in progress. Oh, my...so much I could have shared with you! And still will. I immediately started a 'square foot garden'. Those of you who read me then know that I must have my fresh veggies, greens, tomatoes, onions...... I'll share pictures of the process. My back still aches at the thought!

Gardening on a smaller scale is grand. This past summer was not a gardener's delight...so horrifically hot and dry...not much to harvest, but this year will be better. Nothing like a gardener's hope and the earth's promise. Now deliver this year!!! please.

I also went to work full time for the past 1 1/2 years. Realizing the insanity of that, I resigned over the holidays and am now a full time stay at home something...not sure exactly what... I do know I've not had a chance to do much sculpting, painting, or any of those fun activities, but soon, very soon, I will begin again and together we will have a good time! My muse is getting a bit impatient. Arg! So am I!

We've been doing a bit of remodeling, enlarging the kitchen so my monster refrigerator doesn't take up all the floor space. And replacing the old, thin paned windows on the north side of the house, probably either today or Monday. I'm hoping for today, but one never knows. The kitchen is about finished....waiting on a counter top that had to be re built due to a worker's anxiety with a fork lift!! Pictures tomorrow! Have a delightful day!!