Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Hello Again!

A six week break should be enough to re-new the old blogging mojo.  I'm not sure if it was, but the guilt of not updating has drawn me back here.

The short version of the events of the past few months.

 1.  The week after Thanksgiving we took our little RV to Florida for a few days.  We stayed at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and loved the place. (The sunset photo in my blog header was taken on the beach there) But we had been thinking that we would like more space, so....

 2.  We traded for a  new to us (and much bigger!) RV on the way home!  We've only had a couple nights in it but are looking forward to taking a trip sometime soon.  A guided tour will follow!

 3.  Christmas was very nice.  Our son and his little boys from St. Louis, our daughter from Chicago and D's dad and step mom from Arkansas all visited over the holidays.  Of course our other daughter, son-in-law and grandson that live nearby helped to entertain everyone too!

 4.  I had been fighting a cold since before Thanksgiving that chose Christmas week to explode into bronchitis.  Then D came down with a sinus infection at the same time.  Bad timing, but we eventually recovered.

 5.  The little gym where I've been going to Pilates closed.  So I joined a new one where I've been trying to go regularly to a "Group Power" class.  Some days it makes me feel really OLD but since several of my friends from the old gym are there too, it's not so bad.  But I wish someone would explain why exercising to keep relatively fit seems like such a "job"?

 6.  I made my first purchase from The Home Shopping Network, the Singer 160th Anniversary Edition Sewing Machine!  If we ever take an extended trip in the RV, I thought this machine might be a good one to take along. I haven't used it much yet so can't give a true review.  It definitely doesn't compare to my Viking Designer II but I think it will serve the purpose.  It does look pretty though!

 7.  I've been working on several different sewing and crafting projects.  Since the three grandsons are growing up and are moving up to big boy beds, I decided this year I would try to get three twin size quilts done in time for Christmas 2012.  One is pieced and at the quilter already - unfortunately I forgot to take a photo first.   There's been a couple other little sewing projects and I've been crocheting quite a bit too.  After some time spent re-organizing my too small craft closet, I've decided I am entirely "too" crafty!  I've got too many hobbies that involve thread, yarn, fabric, beads, paper and all the books and magazines that try to teach me what to do with those things!


 8.  I thank (blame?) daughter B for getting me back in the mood to read "real" books.  The kindle app on my iPad is wonderful, but there's something about holding a book in your hands that feels so right.  She loaned me her Hunger Games series books and I read them all within a week.  Now I'm looking forward to the movie when it comes out next month!


9.  Even though I've been ignoring this blog, I still manage to keep up with several others.  One of my favorites is From The Strawberry Patch by Mrs. Goodneedle.   She recently hosted a "giveaway" as many bloggers do.  And guess what?  I WON!  I never win anything so this was a wonderful surprise.  My prize was the new Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiavernini, Sonoma Rose. Thank you so very much Mrs. G!  I'm looking forward to turning that first page!


10. Now I have covered most everything I should have been blogging about these past few weeks, it wasn't really that hard. Thank you for your patience and I hope you will be back again for the next post!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Welcome 2012

Welcome to 2012! 

Now that I've failed miserably with the photo challenge of last month, I might as well admit that I'm taking a blogging break.  My heart just hasn't been into updating this little blog regularly.   I will continue sometime soon and I know this is asking a lot, but please don't give up on me!  


When we look at smiles like these, we know how blessed we were during the Holidays!  
I hope the New Year brings you all health, happiness and peace!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Day 7 A Wreath and a Red Bow

Well it is supposed to be a wreath with a red bow but instead I've given you one of each!

Monday, December 5, 2011

December 5

I skipped the December 4 post, and I have a good reason.  There are no wrapped packages under our tree....yet.  Shopping is coming along nicely but the wrapping and mailing part will have to wait a bit.  But I did make somethings tasty.  Caramel Corn and Reindeer Food are all bagged and ready for some little thank you gifts.

The Reindeer Food is my variation of this recipe but using the red, green and white candy corn and Christmas sprinkles.  Very tasty!  


PS  I took this photo on my phone and tried to post using the Blogger app on my Iphone.  This just might be the answer to trying to blog more.  First attempt failed but I think it just might work!  Does anyone else use the Blogger mobile app? Any suggestions are welcome.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

December 3

Today's photo is supposed to be of our Christmas tree.  Since our tree this year is still a work in progress, I'm using a photo of  the top of our tree last year. (It's actually the same artificial tree  and will be decorated pretty much the same). Now I just need to  make the bow for the top to finish it up.


Happy December 3 !

Friday, December 2, 2011

Number 2 on the List


Day 2  - A list


Love my iphone, but I need to utilize it more.  I do use the Notes app quite a bit, but need to remember to delete some of the notes once I've completed them.   This the list I started for today.  There's another list on here too, but showing my Christmas shopping list would ruin the surprise for some!

Have a wonderful December day!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

December 1 and a List


Wow, it's December 1 ! There's not much more than an hour left of today but maybe I can still get this post in on time!  I'm going to TRY to participate in this fun photo challenge that some of my bloggy friends have brought to my attention.  Susan at This Day has the details on her blog but here is my entry for today - Something Red.


This is a quilt I made several years ago and one of my favorites.  This photo is old and taken before it was bound.  I should have pulled my camera out to get a new shot, but no, I took on the challenge of "digging" deep into my photo files to find this one.  ( A new photo might have been easier!)

Here's the list if any one else wants to join in!
  1. Something Red
  2. A List
  3. The Christmas Tree
  4. Presents Wrapped Under the Tree
  5. Something Warm and Tasty
  6. A Candy Cane, or Five
  7. A Wreath with a Red Bow
  8. Stamped and Addressed Christmas Cards
  9. Santa Claus
  10. Away in the Manger
  11. Ribbons and Bows
  12. Something Sticky
  13. Reindeer
  14. A Decked Hall
  15. Silver Bells
  16. A Hippopotamus (?)
  17. Under the Mistletoe
  18. A Cup of Cheer
  19. Toys in Every Store
  20. A Winter Wonderland
  21. Tiny Tots with Their Eyes All Aglow
  22. Holiday Greetings
  23. A Shining Star
  24. Children Sleeping
  25. The Number "25"
I certainly won't guarantee that I'll get all of these but now I've got some blogging motivation.  Now excuse me while I go make a list for tomorrow's photo!