Stronger

Now everyday is different around here, so I'm not claiming this is exactly how every day goes...  but I'd say it's pretty darn close!  Here are just SOME of the things I TRY to pack into one day...  (not necessarily in this order!)

Work it harder, 

Make it better,

(just a peek at the sweater I'm making!.. It's almost done!)

Do it faster, 

(laundry to fold)
 

 

 (homeschooling keeps us VERY busy!)

(What's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?.. 

Picked this up at a garage sale this past weekend!

Ha! Ha!! Oh, yes..  I'm a Q-girl!)

(Well the meal was nice...

but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!)

 

Makes us stronger

 

(Don't forget this!..  Always count your blessings and give thanks!)

More than ever ever after

(Yes, I like kicking my feet up before bedtime.)

(Tomorrow is another day...   
...And As God is my witness, I'll get through this)

Our work is never over.

I'm linking my post today with Thursday Theme Song...

over at Hootin' Anni's!!...   

My theme today is based on both the following songs:
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger, by Daft Punk...
and Stronger, by Kanye West and co. 


If you're not familiar with the tune, here it is...

Thanks so much for stopping by!...  And remember, hang in there!  That which does not kill us, only makes us stronger, right?!!...   Now, whatever you're doing, make it a great day! 

 

Still got time for tea?

As busy as ever, I was determined to take make time for Tea Time Tuesday, hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage!  I'm so glad you could stop by!  I know it's kinda late in the day, but please do sit down, make yourself comfortable, and join me for a cup of tea, won't you?!  Maybe some chamomile or decaf would be best for this hour??

I was glad to find time to make a quick batch of brownies this week!   I don't expect they'll last too long around here, so help yourself, while the gettin's good!!   Do you like my new tea cups?  Just this past weekend, we went to a local church fair, and I picked up these Corelle-Corningware teacups in the avocado green  Spring Blossom pattern!  I thought, pairing the platter I already had together with my new cups, that this made for a nice little set for today! 

Well, it was a beautiful day at the church fair!.. The sun was shining, but the temperatures were comfortable.  There were tables and tables of home made crafts and goods...

 There were various vendors,

selling all kinds of foods...  

 

and drinks, of course!

Then, just beyond all that, there was a good number of tables for antique and second hand items.  Oh, if only there was enough time in the day, that I could have seen everything there!  Hmmm...  Well, I'm sure Thomas Moore never meant this line for me personally, but he did say...

"Where there is room in the heart, 

there is always room in the house."

Thank you Mr. Moore!  Next time my dear children roll their eyes or shake their heads, when I see a new set of dishes or a teapot I'd like, I will happily remember to share this lovely sentiment with them!  Ha! Ha!

Not only did I find room in my heart for these teacups, but I also found room for these doilies and linens!

I also found room in my heart and my home
for these odds and ends...

But I felt a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, and my heart just about skipped a beat or two, when I came across this small quilt!...

I almost wondered if CC was around, in spirit at least, just waiting for me to stumble upon it!! 

Finally, at a yard sale not far from the church fair, I THEN came across THIS!...  What a perfectly wonderful find, I thought, while September is National Sewing Month too!  But can my heart stand this much excitement for one day?...   Oh, you BET it CAN!!! 

...And I definitely found room in my house for this!

This White sewing machine sat on a table, calling to me, among various items that apparently did not yet sell the day before.  It seemed as though the seller thought he had something valuable here, but was finally ready to part with it. I asked him if there were any stories that came with it, but much to my disappointment, he did not have a "stitch" of information or history to speak of.  Still, I was very happy to pay just the small price he asked for it, and once the seller lifted it for me, I was able to carry this cast iron treasure to the car, as fast as my little feet would take me!  It wasn't until I got home, that I realized it was clearly dated on the back of the machine, 1927!  I did try to do a little research on it, and found that White sewing machines are not as easily found these days, as Singer machines might be found from the same era. Both companies were primary producers of treadle sewing machines in the early to mid 1900's.  Second only to Singer (who was a more aggressive company in sales), White machines were said to be of extremely good quality, known to stand the test of time!

Here is where I proudly display it!  I have a small, but ever growing, library that runs down my hallway from the kitchen and my pantry closet, down towards the living room.  Thank Heaven it's wide enough for me to do so!  I've been wanting to show it, such as it is, but I never trusted my camera, nor the lighting.  Circumstances as they now are, I thought it was worth the effort, and here is the best angle I could come up with.  There are actually three separate bookshelves, none matching in any way, but all tying together nicely enough for the greater good!  The three shelves span across to almost 7 feet down that wall, now holding close to 300 books of all kinds!  My new machine now sets next to some of my crafting and sewing books!

Other news around here??...  Tuffy had to go to the vet's office today, all to hear one fairly simple diagnosis...  Apparently I am killing my cat with kindness...  And yes, the vet did in fact use the word "fat"!  He weighed in at over 15 lbs, which is about HALF of Ubu's (our cocker spaniel's) weight!  The vet then went on to say that she did not care for our choice of cat food either, so it looks like we will be switching to another brand, at least for now.  In doing so, we'll watch for any noticeable improvements to Tuffy's "condition"...   From there, we'll gradually be decreasing his portions.  It may be a rough (or should I say NOISY?!) couple of weeks!  Tuffy likes his food, and "DIET" is a dirty word to him, I'm SURE!...   Actually, in this regard, he very much reminds me of another cat with a fond appreciation for food!!

Well, as temperatures have dropped considerably, we seem to average around the mid 70's now.  I've been reaching for my sweaters and sweatshirts a little more now, and it won't be long at all before I have to start shutting all the windows to stay warm. Much as I hate to say it, it does look as though Summer has made its last appearances, and said its final goodbyes for the year...  Should anyone need any further convincing, I even pulled my first box of Autumn decorations from storage today! 

I've been working on my Blessings project a little, and will post on that as soon as I can..  I also made a little case for Dear Daughter's iPod.

I bought some yarn to start a new sweater!  Lion Brand Yarn is hosting a crochet-along, and there's nothing like a new sweater to make me feel at least a little better about the change of seasons!

Well, would you look at the time!  It flies faster and faster everyday, it seems, and I'm looking at another full day tomorrow!  It was so nice, though, to stop, take a break, and enjoy a nice cup of tea with a friend today!

 Be sure to visit Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage too!

Enjoy your evening!

Tea, Crochet, and Homework!

As I sit here quietly at my computer, with my cup of tea close by, I take a deep breath, and savor this moment of stillness.

"Better is a handful of quietness
than two hands full of toil..."

(Ecclesiastes 4:6)

Today is Tea Time Tuesday, at Rose Chintz Cottage, so I take this break to set up my newest Pierette, Royal Albert teacup for the occasion!  I found it at my local thrift shop recently.  While it did not come with a matching saucer, I still could not resist the pretty pastel green and polka dot design of this dainty little piece of English china!

Joining me today is a doll that was given to me by a woman in church, when I was just a young girl.  She sewed the outfits for these dolls herself, and well, this is how it happened...

Church service was over that Sunday morning, and the congregation was filing out, down the isle, and out of the building.  As usual, if weather permitted, people would still gather around outside for conversation and fellowship before leaving.  I remember seeing a woman carrying around a number of these pretty dolls, and I just couldn't resist running to her for a closer look at them!  Next thing you know, my parents are wondering where I got this newfound treasure...  this brand new dolly of my very own, that I am clearly over the moon with happiness about!  While I recall they weren't very happy with my manners and lack of permission in this exchange, I then remember they offered to pay this very kind-hearted woman, but she refused.  So, of course, much to my delight at the time, I knew the matter was settled, and now I could bring her home with me!  (With all my heart, I do still thank you Sylvia, every time I look at her!)

Well, it looks like another full day ahead!  I've heard it said, "Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." (Henry David Thoreau)...  Oh, I'd like to think, or at least HOPE so, because I have certainly been busy around here!

I have finally finished a crochet shawl I've been working on, for the past week or so!  Inspired by one Pammy Sue made, and then having plenty of yarn on hand to do so, I began this latest project!  I've mentioned already that I had to "frog" it twice, and was stubbornly tempted to try the pattern a third time, but I decided that I was wrong to even begin the project, altering it when I was not familiar enough with the pattern as it was.  BIG MISTAKE!...   So I went on to try a different pattern, in as similar a style as I could find.  HERE is where you can find it, if you'd like to try it yourself.

As I was working on this pattern, Susie, from First Floor Flat had emailed and asked me if I had a simple crochet pattern on hand for floral earrings, so I referred her to one I knew of HERE.  Again, I found myself inspired, and I decided it might be nice to add these flowers to my shawl!...   So,  I got out my embroidery flosses and size 7 crochet hook, and began crocheting some flowers!

I decided to do an edging based on one I found from a book I have.  The leaf behind each flower is simply a ring of 18 chain stitches, using a 4-ply ww yarn. I then tied the middle with my sewing thread to form 2 leaves, sort of like a figure 8.  I hand sewed the leaves to the shawl, then the flower, and then a pearl bead at the center of each flower.  From there, I spaced each flower every two scallops apart.

While this shawl was no longer looking at all appropriate for Fall, I was still very happy with how it was coming out!!..   I guess this will be nice for next year, and I'll just have to make another one more seasonable for September of THIS year!..   IF I can find the time to!

Well, you know me...  Why stop there?!  

I then went on to make more little crocheted flowers!...  

I made two pairs of earrings...

and then I made a barrette!

I'm not sure what I'll be working on next.  I'd like to get back to my Blessings project actually.  I'm afraid the summer season has distracted me, and I have not worked on it in quite some time.  

Meanwhile, I have been back and forth with the school, as I try to establish a basic SCHEDULE for exactly what is required and what I should be teaching Dear Son for this school year.  It's been a little frustrating, as I found one hand didn't seem to know what the other hand was doing;  but I'm feeling better that I seem to have finally found the right people to settle upon a game plan to with, and that I've now got a few more resources and knowledgeable people to refer to if ever I need help....   It's a start, and I am hopeful, as today now marks our first day of school for the year!  

Dear Daughter is looking at a full schedule ahead herself!  She has just finished moving into a bigger apartment, and is teaching full-time, while still attending school for her master's degree!  Whew!  Don't ask me how she does it.  All I know is I couldn't be prouder!  She is following her dreams, and she's achieving her goals!!  I'm a little sad to see the summer end, knowing I won't see her as often, now that she is so busy.  But she is such a good girl!  I know she calls and keeps in touch as much as she possibly can!!

Well, back to my day, and everything I can pack into it!!  I'll have to run to the store at some point for some swiss and mozzerella cheese!  Tonight we're having Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza for dinner!  I've made this before, and it was delicious!  A couple of nights ago, I felt daring and tried this chicken recipe, using Cheddar Jack Cheez-its!!!   It was very quick and easy, and actually pretty good!  Dear Son loved it!

I've really been enjoying all the beautiful fall decorating some of my friends in Blogland have been doing!!  I'm afraid I'm still in denial here, as I hate to see Summer go...  But as you all inspire me so, perhaps I can be persuaded to at least peek through a couple of my storage boxes for a few items in Autumn hues!

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you'll also pay Sandi a visit, as she serves tea at Rose Chintz Cottage!

Have a great day!   

In Loving Memory

It is with a very heavy heart that I post at all today.  I have just heard news about a very dear friend to many here in Blogland.  If you have not yet heard, you can read it HERE, on CC's blog, Lace 'N' Ribbon Roses.

No matter how exciting, or how utterly dull a post she might find here on my own blog, CC has been a wonderful friend to me, and I could always count on the kind and friendly words in her comments or emailed responses!  I'll never forget her gratitude and care for one little crocheted mouse, Suri, that I sent her, when she won my giveaway held back in August of 2009.

She often talked about about little Suri.  It was my understanding that CC kept her on her desk, and often I would hear how Suri the mouse, and Oscar the flying pig would play together, and how most recently the two had welcomed a new friend "Conner" Owl!  I was just so happy to know how much CC loved and appreciated her!

CC loved embroidery, crochet, and recipes, much like I did!  She was always an inspiration to me!  Blogland will never be the same without her, but she will live forever in our hearts.

Just as the lyrics say in the song that plays on her blog...

"Yes, I understand that every life must end, uh huh

As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, uh huh

Oh I'm a lucky man to count on both hands 

the ones I love..."

I feel blessed to have met and known you CC. 

As God calls you Home, I just want to thank you
for being my friend.

Love you, and "Meet you on the other side".

A Form Worth Informing About!

Oh my gosh, I just HAD to share this!  I've been wanting a dress form for quite a while, for sizing and displaying scarves, aprons, maybe some shawls or wraps; but I just can't seem to find one I can afford so far.  If any of my visitors today are riding the same financial boat I'm in, and maybe you just plain have better things to DO with your hard-earned dollars, then maybe you are up for the challenge to try THIS!

I don't know about you, but this is the first time I've seen anything like this!  From the comments I read HERE,  it sounds as if it might be difficult finding the water-activated packaging tape??..  but I'm willing to go with duct tape if I have to.  I don't suppose that's any big deal, as I've seen a few how-to's just by googling it, such as THIS ONE, which looks helpful enough!

The tough part for me, I imagine, would be to look for a TREE TRUNK!!  I'm fairly certain I don't have the proper tools to chop and "customize" one either!...

So I imagine I might go one of two routes.  Either picking up a closet rod at my local lumber supply company... Or I'm wondering if perhaps I can even just pick up a used floor lamp at my local thrift store!!  There would be a pole and base already put together FOR me!!..  Just chuck the shade and electrical cord, or save them for something else!

Finally, I think once you have the basics all put together, then you could spray paint it, maybe even decoupage it for one last, even prettier final touch!

Hmm..  Now I just have to see when Dear Daughter might feel like helping me with this little endeavor???  I know she's so very busy, but if she should happen to read this...

Oh Pleeeeeeeease!!!..  Pretty Please?  Por favor???

Well, I'm about half way done with "Shawl-Take Two".  In the likely event I won't be able to get my own dress form made in time, I suppose I'll just model it myself, or perhaps I can just display it on one of my high-back dining room chairs.  I'll just be happy if eventually my efforts produce something pretty when I'm finished!

To find the Threadbanger Blog, and see more D.I.Y projects, just go HERE!...  In the meantime, I hope everyone's enjoying a very Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Frogging?.. MORE frogs?!

September.  My gosh, is it possible?! ...  Well, judging by the weather around here this week, one would never know it!  We had another wave of 90 degree-plus temperatures, and from what I understand, for this time of year, this has been one of the hottest summers since 1953!  Still, I know we don't have much of my favorite season left, and I hate to complain.

The kids and I did go out for soft ice cream recently!  If only you could have seen the trouble I was having, trying to catch the chocolate sprinkles, before the heat melted them right off my cone!  I think there were more sprinkles on the ground, and on my new white canvas sneakers, than I ever got to EAT!  (Gosh, I love those little Tide To Go pens!  I can dress myself up, but I never leave home without it!)  ...Anyways, it was still a very nice evening out with both my kids, doing something together that we've loved ever since they were both just my little peanuts, back in my old neighborhood that I myself grew up in!  I hope we'll get to go again, before the season ends, and before the owner closes up shop until next year.

With the heat and humidity as it's been, it isn't easy mustering up the motivation to do ANYTHING that involves physically moving at all.  With the exception of a few walks now and then, my comfort zone right now has been to sit directly in front of my fan, absolutely no farther than two feet away from it!  The pets seem to find the most comfort on either the kitchen or bathroom floors.

Again, we are flying through the ice cube trays faster than I can keep up with!...  But I did recently stumble upon a nice clearance sale on 16-oz. Coca-Cola glasses!  I grabbed them all, a set of 7, and paid only $3.50 for them!  Having lost and broken a few in the past year, it's nice to have a set of this many again.  In the meantime, I guess I should still keep my eyes open for something a little fancier for the holidays ahead!

Inspired by a shawl that Pammy Sue, from Scotty's Place, made HERE, I decided that I'd like to try to make one too!   Well, I decided to alter the original pattern just a bit, even against Pam's suggestion not too.  Sure enough, about 2/3s of the way through it, I then decided it was too big for my liking.  Pammy was right!  Between my stubborn determination to make this thing without flaw, and a wee bit of a quick Irish temper, I proceeded to FROG the whole thing!   (More frogs?!  Sure!...  "Rip it. Rip it. Rip it."!!)

 Hey!...  It's NOT funny!   

Can you believe my arms are actually HURTING from ripping out all those stitches, and winding all the yarn back into balls as I start this project all over again?!!  Who would have thought crochet would be such a workout?!  

There's so much going on around here lately, that I don't know how long it will be before I finish this shawl.  I thought it was good timing, and that it would be nice to wear just as the summer winds down, as the cooler winds begin to set in again, and BEFORE we're looking for our WINTER COATS again!  (Sigh)   I'll see what I can do!

I'm presently setting Dear Son up for a year of home-schooling.  The move from public school is a very scary step, but one that I feel might be best for him, or I wouldn't be bothering.  I can't deny I'm a little nervous about it, but I'm hoping we can prove the switch successful...  And please, I would very much appreciate any advice and suggestions from other home-schooling Moms out there, wherever you are!   I do feel a little better, as things stand, that I know several teachers who can help me with things if I ever need it.

Dear Daughter is very busy in the meantime, as she takes courses towards her Master's Degree, WHILE now also preparing for her full-time teaching position for the year!  I really worry about her stress level through all of this, and just hope I can help her in any way I can!  Unfortunately, on top of all this, she is preparing to move to a bigger apartment!  YIKES!  I'll be over to her place today, to help her pack boxes, and trying my best to repress the horrible memories of that "big bad move" I had to make last October!   Things will go easier this time..

 Ha! Ha! Ha!

...and we'll just get through this, like anything and everything else!  I'm so proud of her, and I know she can handle and accomplish anything she sets her mind to!

While first and foremost I hope everyone stays safe as Big Bad Earl makes his way up the coastline, I can't help hoping for a cooler, more comfortable weekend here!  The temps will be plummeting, but that's o.k.  When we're not busy moving Dear Daughter, I think I'll just appreciate the time to restock my beverage and ice cube supply!

Till next time...