Smiles and Frowns

I have been wanting to go kayaking, but hubby hasn't been up to it.  This weekend, I suggested that he help me load my boat, unload it at the lake, and he could spend some quality time in his lounge chair, soaking up some sun reading and/or napping.  So that was the plan for today.  But first, we loaded my bike into the back of the car to take it in for new tires and a tune-up.  Now that I'm home during the day, I could be getting some exercise, and using the bike instead of the car for quick errands.  It would be good for me, good for the environment, and good for my wallet! 

So, we loaded up the bike and my kayak, dropped off the bike, and drove to within a couple of miles of our lake destination, when I remembered that our paddles weren't in the car.  We usually keep them in there all summer, but moved them the day of his surgery so that we could fit 4 people in the car.  I won't repeat what I said when this thought came to mind.  Because I'm a lady.  And I don't want you to think I use those words.  But I do.  And I did.  It's too far to return home for the paddles and return to the lake today.  :-(

We drove into the nearby town, where hubby wanted to visit a small craft brewery.  I didn't go in, but took a few flower pictures in the parking lot and crocheted.

I never leave home without my camera, because I never know when I might need it.   :-)

Here's another huge smile.  I received this beautiful block from Sara, for the BSA.  Another wonderful contribution for my basket quilt.    :-)     :-)    I just love the way she placed the flowers in the basket.

Last night, I was supposed to Skype with my friend Cat, but I totally forgot about it.  We went to dinner with friends, and then they came over to the house for awhile.  So I remembered tonight, and downloaded Skype.  Cat and I connected, but she couldn't hear me.  We could see each other, and I could hear her "Mary Poppins" accent.  I hope I can figure out what my problem is with sound.     :-)       :-(

In looking back, I was very disappointed about not kayaking, but the smiles far outweigh the frowns today.  Tomorrow morning I'll be Hospice-sitting, and then perhaps  we'll make it to the river for a little paddling??

Counting my blessings.....and my smiles....Sunny

Any Stay-at-Home-Robins out there?

Several member of our Guild and Quilt Club recently finished a Round Robin, and brought their quilts in for Show 'n Tell.  I fell in love with all of them.  Totally awesome!  I would love to participate in a Round Robin, BUT:  I know my sewing skills are not up to par with these women, and they would never invite me to join them.  ALSO:  I couldn't afford the postage, etc. right now.  SO:  I would love to participate in a Stay at Home Robin.  Does anyone know of any that are starting up?  Would anyone like to help me organize one?  I've never done such a thing, so I can only guess how they work. 

Thoughts?    Comments?    Suggestions?

Counting my many blessings.....Sunny

A Happy Mistake in Identity

Last week, following One Flower Wednesday, I received a comment from LuAnn.  I'm embarrassed to say that I thought it was LeAnn, with whom I've had many e-mail exchanges, and swapped with.  This is not a bad thing, but I responded with a very chatty email, and asked LuAnn her advice and comments about her plans for her flower garden.  She quickly responded, and by the end of the day, I had a new friend, a new direction for my hexie flowers, and new motivation to keep making flowers! 

Here is a link that she sent me, and I think I'm going to make something similar to this.

Because I finally have a plan, I realize that it's time to change my flower making for awhile, so you'll be seeing a lot of flowers that look like this:

Yes, I have about 85 colored flowers, and now I think I need approximately that number of white flowers.  I was so motivated to get started, that I spent two evenings, and made about 80 centers to get started with.

So there you have it! A new friend, new direction in design, and new motivation.  Isn't blogland a wonderful place to be?  Hi LuAnn!!  And if you'd like to see more hexie projects, visit Karen's blog for links.  She hosts One Flower Wednesday each week, and anyone can join at any time.  Have you started your garden yet?

On a totally unrelated note, we have another new tomato today:

And now, I must go feed the felines before they attack me, and then I'm heading for the sewing machine.

Counting my blessings.....Sunny



Guild Picnic

The temperature was in the mid 90's when I met up with a couple of friends this evening to go to our Guild picnic.  The July meeting is traditionally held at the home of one of our members, and is a potluck of salads and deserts.  Trust me when I say there was nothing healthy offered, but it was all quite delicious.

I missed the picnic last year, and was happy to see what a great spot we had for our picnic.  It was shady, and much cooler than I expected. 

The area is nearly surrounded by water because the house was originally a Mill!

We were allowed to take a tour of the mill, and the inside is awesome.  Click here if you'd like to read about the history of the mill.  There are beautiful quilts on all the walls, and a totally amazing quilt room.
Following dinner, there was a game of Quilto, and everyone was a winner by the time the evening was over.

My jury duty was cancelled today, so I had a stitchy kind of day.  I hope to have something to show you tomorrow night.

Counting my blessings.....Sunny

Cupcakes anyone?

I read this post on A Spoonful of Sugar a couple of weeks ago, and the recipe has been on my mind since then.  Tomorrow night is our Guild meeting, and we're all taking salads or deserts to a member's home for the meeting.  What better excuse to make something choclatey and gooey?

The final result!  Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes

I cheated.  I used a boxed dark chocolate cake mix

So far, normal cupcakes

I made holes with an apple corer

filled them up with caramel sauce, and put the plugs back in

At this point I was so eager for the taste test that I forgot to take a picture of them with icing!  The original recipe was from Martha Stewart.  I found some other recipes online, but decided to cheat all the way.   The original might be wonderful, but so is the cheater's version!  Store bought cake mix, icing in a plastic tub, and caramel sauce from a jar.  Martha Stewart I'm not!

Counting my blessings.....Sunny

Happy Things.

I went to sit with my Hospice patient this morning for the first time.  I was a little nervous because I've never done anything like this before.  She and her husband had just had breakfast, and they both snoozed most of the time I was there.  It doesn't feel like I really did anything, but the rest of the family was able to attend church together while I sat and kept watch, and they were very appreciative.

I crocheted and  read to pass my time.  They have two very large dogs, who were just big pussy cats, and there's a cat named Killer!  He's a beauty.

Speaking of cats, last night as I was on my way to bed, I saw movement in our tree.  I pulled out the flashlight, and discovered two kittens in our tree.  Hubby feeds all the strays in the neighborhood, so I filled up the outside bowl, and then sat in the dark to see what would happen.  Within a few minutes I saw both of them come down from the tree and head straight for the food.  Another cat, who we've nicknamed Tux, was eating as well, so I guess she's probably the mama cat.

Have I ever mentioned that I love kittens?

I also decided to soak up some sun this afternoon, and here are the views from my lounge chair.

Then I allowed myself a Sunday afternoon nap.  I know I won't sleep tonight, but it was worth it.  Dinner was some yummy baked chicken with fresh herbs, sauteed squash, and fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.  I love summer foods!

Heading down to the sewing room now to work on a little quilt that I cut out last night.

Counting my blessings....Sunny

What!?!

Ha Ha Ha!!!!!

One Flower Wednesday

Here is my pride and joy for the week:

What is different about this?  Here it is compared to an inchie:

I'm going to make a lid for a large basket I have, and use it to store my hexie scraps.  I hope to be able to show the lid soon.

These are the hexies that I received yesterday from Susan in the Inchy Swap:

And here's my own contribution to the growing garden:

The two in the center were made from fabric that Maria sent me from Australia. 

If you'd like to see more hexie flowers, or join in as we grow our gardens, go visit Karen's blog for more links.  Anyone is invited to join in!

Counting my blessings.....Sunny

OASS - Winter

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm ready for Winter!  I just got the most amazing package from Grandma Rockton for my Once a Season Swap - Winter.  As you may recall, we're going by the current seasons 'down under'.  I thought I might have to go buy a wide angle lens to get it all in one shot!

She sent one of everything!

A snowman mug, some dark chocolate hot chocolate, note card, a book...

<>

a journal, a notepad, a wee little sock monkey, some Christmas fat quarters, tea towels, and did I mention a quilt?



DH went back to work today.  What do you think he'll say if he comes home and the a/c is set on 60, and I'm snuggling under my new cozy quilt?

Thank you Sandra!  It's all totally wonderful.  Even the 'bonus' fabric!  Everything was tucked safely into a nice box, and there was a bow around all of it - made of extra binding - just the right size to cut up for hexies.  heehee.   I'll be smiling all day as I think of all this loot.  What a wonderful surprise.

Counting my blessings.....and my loot....Sunny

The Mother Lode of linens

I really enjoyed the stitcheries that I did earlier this week, and I have an idea for another small project.  Today I made a quick trip to the antique flea market looking for one particular item.  The booth where I thought I would find said item actually had two of them, but they weren't the right size for my project.  So I wandered around for awhile, and finally found it!  Not one, not two, but actually three of the item in a basket filled with linens.  I was so upset that I couldn't find a price on any of them.   Many of these markets won't sell an item without a price tag.  When I finally found a price, it was for the basket and all the contents!  I had no intention of spending that much money, but when I thought of all the potential, I couldn't help myself. 

There are 8 of these

There is also a small round cloth with cutwork, and a nice table topper round with cutwork.  I am in stitcher's heaven!

I've also been trying to decide how to do another project that floating around in my head, and the answer came to me today.  I should be able to show the results tomorrow!

Here is my assistant in some of the earlier pictures.

And here is the lap cat.

#3 wasn't in the mood to have here picture taken.  Miss Grouchy!

Now, I must get back to stitching.

Counting my blessings..and my linens......Sunny