Wednesday, March 30, 2011

I Dream in Blue and White

Even though I read several blogs where they post decorating ideas they find online, I don't usually do this. But since I have been in my Tan and Black RV small cottage, I haven't shown too many pictures of it.  I am really comfortable here and couldn't be happier, but honestly, I  miss my blue and white. I receive regular e-mails from a site I go to often for inspitation. http://www.houzz.com/.
This morning, I opened up these and just wanted to share. I think it is a home in Georgia. Can you imagine this view. I would never get anything done.






Thanks for letting me indulge a bit. A girl can dream, can't she.
If you haven't visited Houzz, try it for inspiration.

Someday, I'll share with you the remake of an old trailer that Mr. SS and I are working on. It is all Blue and White.  We hope to set it up near the coast someday and it will truly be my small cottage.



God is Good!!
Live is Good!!


Friday, March 25, 2011

Happy International Waffle Day

This morning we heard on the news that it is International Waffle Day.  Later, when I asked Mr. SS what he wanted for breakfast he said "Waffles, of course."
I'm sure he had in mind something like this:
or this:
When we moved into our RV small cottage, I had to make some choices of what appliances I could bring. When it came to toaster or waffle iron...well the toaster won hands down.  I keep toaster waffes in the freezer for the grandkids, so this is what Mr.SS got for breakfast.
Ya know what??  He loved them and asked if he could have them tomorrow too.
Why did I always think I had to make the from scratch kind for him with the beat to fluffy egg whites in them when these were just fine.
I really do have the sweetest Mr.SS.
And making the frozen toaster waffles left me more time to blog babysit, sew, clean and do laundry today.

Silly me blogging about waffles...but Happy International Waffle Day anyway.
Heck, we could have waffles for dinner too. Hmmmm.

Some trivia I learned about
International Waffle Day- March 25th
Waffle Day is a day that you can waffle on issues and decisions. And, it certainly is a day to eat waffles.
This holiday originated in Sweden. It is called VĂ„ffeldagen. The holiday coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation. This day was also considered the start of spring in Sweden and Europe. It became a custom for Swedish families to celebrate the two events by making waffles on this day.
The origin of the waffle: The waffle dates back to the 1300s in Greece. Greeks cooked flat cakes between two metal pans. At the time, they topped it with cheeses and herbs. Pancake syrup wasn't around back then.
Waffles are commonly eaten as breakfast or a snack. They are also an occasional dinner meal for some people.


 
 
                                                                     God is Good!!
                                                                      Life is Good!!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Head Turners for Sewing Christmas

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you my love of reading. One of the things I shared that I love to read was magazines.
This is one I never miss getting a copy of because I always find a project I can't wait to do.
This most recent issue didn't disappoint me and I fell in love with these.
You can make adult size like above or child size.
I did the child size and added a medium size for my bigger girls.
Here are a few of the ones I got made this month.





I love that the bows are just tied on and you can use one or both and they can be slid to position them where you want them.
They are all made from scraps and took 45 minutes each from start to finish. I even had the elastic, so they cost me...nada.
I had so much fun coordinating the fabrics from my stash of scraps. (I think I spent more time doing that than sewing them.)
 I apologize for  the pathetic pictures. I tried everything and ended up putting them on my cake dome.
Not only do I have a lousy camera, I just haven't found a good place in my new small cozy home to get good shots
I am linking up with Renee for Sewing Christmas, although I'm not sure these will be kept a secret that long.
Click on her name or the cute button on my sidebar to see her Sewing Christmas project for the month and
to see who else has joined her at trying to get a jump on handmade Christmas gifts.



God is Good!!
Life is Good!!



Friday, March 18, 2011

Waiting on Mr. Sunshine

All week, I have been watching for the sun to come out just long enough to get a picture of a couple of models I needed to take in to Strawberry Patches.
Finally today I was able to get some pictures.
This is a cute dress I have made a couple of times for customers and now two times for models.
It is cute in just about any fabric combination and is super easy.  You can make a size 2-14. Guess what pattern I am using for at least 6 of the 7 Easter dresses I will be making.
It is called Macy Giggles by Izzy & Ivy Designs
The flower with a covered button center.
The back with same covered buttons and bias fabric loops.
This hat matches a little dress I made for a model a month or so ago.
Remember this?
Another rod iron dress form I found at Home Goods.
She is larger than the other one and has a rusty patina color (but smooth).
At first I was going to paint her, but when I put her in front of these plants to take a picture outdoors, I decided she will stay in the garden and stay the color she is.
I guess since I named the first little white one Rosie, this one needs a name.
Got any ideas?
See those vines (forgive the green garden hose). There are four of them and they are the first purchase for my garden in my new home.
Remember we are at the back of our son's  1/2 acre. The block wall is about 20 ft. from the front of our RV.
To the left side is a chain link fence. That's where those vines will go to provide a little privacy.
There is a tree in the center of this small cozy corner and we have started planning a little garden. I brought with me some of my favorite garden "props" . A pergola to hold my swing has been drawn up. Remember I used the word small cozy and that is just fine with me.
Of course you will see the before and after and probably every step along the way.



God is Good!!
Life is Good!!


Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Laughter

I am sitting here at my sewing machine looking out my door, laughing, and happy tears are streaming down my cheeks. Three of the 6 grandkids that live at the other end of my back yard are sitting on a tire swing and going round and round and sqealing like kids love to do.
It's almost dark so can't get a good picture, but the picture will forever be on my heart.
I am so blessed.

"A laugh is a smile that bursts"
Mary H. Waldrip


God is Good!!
Life is Good!!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

A Book is Like a Garden Carried in the Pocket. ~Chinese Proverb

I don't think I have ever mentioned here how much I love to read. It started when I was very young, but the first memory I have of my passion for reading was one summer probably before 3rd. grade. My sister and I would stand impatiently waiting for the Bookmobile. (If you remember those, you might be old like me)
It came once a week and we had a contest to see who could read the most books that summer.
I read every second I wasn't playing or doing chores, because we didn't have much TV to watch.( In fact, I don't think we even had a TV yet.)
I tried to read at the dinner table, during car rides, no matter how short and would sneak a flashlight to read under the covers at night. That wasn't easy, because if you remember, we lived in a small trailer. I craved reading.
Nothing has changed...I still love to read. Guess that is why Mr. SS knew a Kindle would be the perfect Christmas gift for me last year.The first book I ordered was this one.

So I read the daily scriptures every morning first.

I am an early riser and get up before Mr.SS does by about an hour. I make coffee and his lunch, then reward myself with what is left of the hour to read.

I love all kinds of books.
Fiction (okay, yes, romantic fiction above all, Debbie Macomber among others)
Mystery  (Mary Higgins Clark, who writes a new one once a year)
Inspirational (Most recently, Marcia from Blessed Mom's Simple Home recommended Andy Andrews)
So I just finished this book and loved it so much, I want to read more of his.

My most recent purchase on Kindle is this one

I am really enjoying this. I have read her blogThe Pioneer Woman Cooks for some time. I love her hearty recipes. I knew by her sense of humor and the way she talks about her life, that her book would have to be good and I haven't been disappointed.
I want to get her cookbook too, someday.
(not on Kindle, though)

I still like to read "real" (meaning not on Kindle) books and still have a box full of must reads that have been given to me by friends that are also passionate about their reading.
Mr. SS says I should order everything I read on Kindle, but being cheap conservative, like I am, I alternate between the two.

I also love magazines, and until a couple of years ago, read all of the decorating, cooking, quilting, sewing, and gardening ones I could get my hands on.
Due to my cheap conservative nature, (or because several I liked no longer exist) I
now limit it to just two or three of my favorites.
One of my favorites is this one.

I spent much of Sunday afternoon after the birthday party drooling on all the recipes, table decorations and party ideas it was filled with. One comes out for each Season. The pictures are beautiful and there are very few ads. If you see one, pick it up and treat yourself. You will be glad you did.

I can't leave out one of my favorites on my list of must reads.  That would be, reading all your blogs.
I spend time, mostly before bedtime, trying to catch up with the lives of all the wonderful ladies I have met through their blogs, many of whom I am privileged to call friend.
Thanks to all of you for the hours of enjoyment and enrichment, I have received from reading your blogs.

Now, go read a good book, magazine or blog!



God is Good!!
Life is Good!!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Pretty Dress for Our Pretty Girl

Sunday, our family celebrated the first birthday of our last (of 10) baby.
Even though, I spent most of the week working on those dastardly taxes, as soon as my appointment with my accountant was over on Friday afternoon, I was a woman with a mission.
This was the results of that  mission, finished on Sunday morning about 10:00am, just in time for the 11:30am Birthday Party.
Not to make excuses (yes, I am), but there was babysitting and kids games to attend in that time frame, too.
 Rosie gets to model again as baby Emmy has a new birthday outfit for the occasion.
Everything is reversible, even the bloomers. (the bloomers pattern didn't call for the reversible part, but I figured out an easy way  to do that, and it was even faster than adding bias bindings for the elastic casings)

A closer view. Wish you could see the buttons better.  Have I ever mentioned my passion for cute buttons?
Okay, here's the back. This  dress pattern is a newer version of a pattern that has been around for ages.
Since Rosie isn't built to wear bloomers, I just pinned them up so you could see how cute the back of the dress is. (Cuter than the front, I think)

And now for the Birthday Girl (and her Papaw).
Ta-Da!!
After opening presents.
Blowing out her birthday candle witht the help of big sister, Drew.
Waiting not so patiently for a piece of that cake (her first bite of cake ever).
Finally!! Once she got a taste, she was unstoppable until it was gone. Our little two fisted cake eater.

Well, thanks for putting up with me indulging in grandkid fun once again.
They are all just so darn cute and fun, but sadly, growing up.


More than ever...
God is Good!!
Life is Good!!


Thursday, March 3, 2011

Uncle Sam and Neiman Marcus Bars

Strange combination, you say?
Much of yesterday and all day today, I have been trying to get my paperwork together and numbers added up to take to my accountant tomorrow afternoon to have our taxes "done".  In other words to find out how much we owe Uncle Sam.  Why do I procrastinate doing this?  I am not that way about other things in my life. It's not because I think we will owe this year, I would put it off to the last minute even if we were getting money back. I've known about this date since late in December...but here I am still not done.

Last week my friend "Sew Sweet" Suzanne from Strawberry Patches sent Mr. SS home with a box of cookie bars and brownies that were from the sweets shop(Sweet Surrender) next to Strawberry Patches. One of the bars, I recognized as a Neiman Marcus  Bar.( How did I know what it was...I tasted it of course)  I knew I had a recipe for these, but couldn't find it anywhere.  A few years ago, I would have had to just give up, but being a woman of the times now, I googled it.
After looking over hundreds of entries, this one looked the most similar to mine, so thought I would share it as they are soooo Yummy.

NEIMAN MARCUS BARS
printed from cooks.com

1 box yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 stick butter
1 large bag chocolate chips
1c. chopped nuts
8 oz. cream cheese
1tsp vanilla
1 box powered sugar

First layer: Mix together cake mix, 1 egg and butter. Press into a 13x9 inch pan.  Next layer: Sprinkle chocolate chips and nuts over mixture, pressing into layer.  Top layer:  Mix together cream cheese, 2 eggs, vanilla and sugar. pour over top of mixture.  Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hr. and 15 min.
Voila!!
Oops! Looks like the "Cookie Bar Monster" (little ole me) got there before the camera did.
They are soooo good!  I'm taking them to share with  family tonight after dinner, but just had to treat my self after working so hard trying to get those dang taxes done.
Yep!! They were a hit with the family and I'm glad I got mine first.
Little 2 yr. old granddaughter Brooke, kept waving her hand in front of her mouth and saying "Oh, Oh, so good"
Just tickled me to death.

I'm linking with Foodie Friday.

Click Here and go over to Designs by Gollum to get lots of recipes for yummy stuff.
Some are great for Saint Patricks Day which is coming up sooner than we think.

I'm also happily linking to Allison's Sweet Tooth Friday. Click here and check out her Monster Cookes and many other Sew Sweet recipes.



Back to Uncle Sam...hope all of you have your taxes done and aren't the procrastinator that I am.



God is Good!!
Life is Good!!