Life is Good!

This has been a busy, but great week!  The Baby is home, Big is home and we are able to have some relaxed family time together. 

I have been working hard to update both of my blogs.  I really like the linen background on this blog.  I am also very impressed with myself for figuring out how to put Home Matters 1st in the center of the header! 

I am sure you think The Baby helped me out with this.  Well, you would be wrong!  I did it all by myself!  (I am patting myself on the back now!)

I also added the social media buttons.  Please let me know if you try to follow me to a certain area and it doesn't work.  Our Internet is on overload, we have 4 computers and 2 i phones trying to get the most out of it!

Another great thing this week, has been the 2 packages (yes, 2) that I received from P. at The Way I Sew It.  If you remember, I sent her a t-shirt not too long ago.  She was more than generous and kind and gifted me with The Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook, a pastry blender (I talked about wanting one and she remembered!) and a stem gem!  She is the best!  Thank you so much P. 

Move over Julia, there is a new woman in town!

I have had my eye on this book for quite some time.  I would drool over it at the bookstore and then decide I didn't need to spend the money on it.  I am so happy with this and I know there will be many of Ree's dishes on our table.



These meatballs look so great!  I think they may be the perfect meal.

Beautiful photographs

I am in love with this pastry blender and will have to put a pie on the menu.  I just finished a Blueberry Nectarine Pie for a challenge and posted about it at Feeding Big.  Big is "watching her waistline" and has declared she will only eat sweets once a week. 

I am now ready for strawberry season!  P. said this is good for tomatoes also.  Has anyone used one before?  I can't wait to try it.

I am working on my etsy shop also.  Since our Internet is on "slow" it is taking me longer than I had hoped to get the photos up.  I will let you know when they are ready!  To be honest, I am a bit scared!  I am muddling through though!

Thanks for stopping by! 

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Distracted

I always get distracted when The Baby is home.  Not a bad distracted, just distracted.

I am normally a very scheduled person.  Wake up at 7:30 a.m., pee at 7:31 a.m., drink coffee at 7:33 a.m., eat breakfast at 8:43 a.m., walk dog at 9:00 a.m.  You get the idea!

When The Baby is home, most of that goes out of the window!  I still wake up, pee and have coffee at my regularly schedule times.  Then the schedule veers off a little. 

This morning I made Pecan Pie Muffins. 



Pecan Pie Muffins

THEY ARE TO DIE FOR!!!

Baking in the morning is not normally on my very long list of things to do.  Don't laugh, but I have a notebook that I keep lists in.  It is the only way I can function

Yesterday, I had good intentions of conquering my list.  The morning was going well, and then The Baby started to watch a movie.  Her movie of choice was "The Hangover 2."  This movie is a bit raunchy, but also funny.   Although I had seen it before, it kept luring me in.  I finally gave up, sat in a chair and watched the movie with her.

She will kill me if she finds out I used this photo!  See my cute pup?

I did, however, get some work done yesterday. 

I finally finished the "Block from H..L" and with that, finished the Tossed Nine-Patch quilt that I started in September of last year. 


Eleanor Burns Tossed Nine Patch

If you remember, I was living in a hotel room for 2 months at that time and was not a happy camper.  I love this quilt, but I must admit, when I see it, I think of Country Inn and Suites.  Perhaps that is a good name for it.

Ms. Recuperation and my Tossed 9 Patch

The Baby was feeling well enough to hold the quilt up for me for this photo.  I am thinking I will make a border out of muslin to match the little squares inside the blocks.  What do you think?  I want the 30's fabric to shine, not the border.

I also finished up a couple of American Girl Doll outfits.  These are being made in preparation for my etsy shop opening. 

I really love this turquoise outfit.

White cotton capri pants and turquoise and white top and kerchif

Capri pants and tank top for 18 inch dolls

18 inch doll denim skirt

That was my yesterday.  Oh yeah, I watched Master Chef.  Are any of you addicted to that show too?  Hope you had a great day. 

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Wonderful People

As you know, The Baby is home for a couple of weeks.  Poor thing is sick with sinus issues.  I am not sure why, but this often happens.  Sometimes I think, she feels secure at home and can let herself truly relax and when she does, the illness come out.  Whatever it is, I am happy to have her home and happy to be able to baby her for a while!

The Baby being greeted by Big and Daisy

On to brighter things.  If you are a follower of Mrs. P at Quilting In My Pyjamas, you will know she purchased a new ironing board cover.  She was very happy about it and I fell in love with it.  She told me she would send one to me.  I waited impatiently for it to arrive.

I was upstairs trying to keep busy while waiting for The Baby to arrive home, when Big hollered, "Package from Australia!"  I almost fell down the stairs in my attempt to quickly get to the package.  Wonderful, wonderful, Mrs. P sent an ironing board cover to me!

I love getting mail!

Can you hear the angels singing?

Is it not the most beautiful thing you ever did see?  I immediately put it on an ironing board.  Now there are two ironing boards in my sewing studio.  One for Big, who uses way to much starch which has made her cover manky (I stole that word from my Aussie friends)  One cover for me!  Mine will remain nice and pretty and clean!  It's new home is next to my sewing machine, I can whirl my chair around and press seams open to my hearts content.

Thanks, Mrs. P.  You are one of the good ones.  I am so happy to have you as my friend.

I also am able to show the complete pattern on the t-shirt I made for P. at The Way I Sew It.  She received it on Saturday.

I love the design on this t-shirt.  I had a lot of fun making it. 

As you know, I am in the process of opening an etsy shop.  This pattern will be available to be embroidered on most anything.  The t-shirt will be priced at $28.00 plus shipping and handling.  If you are interested, let me know.

Later today, I will be blogging over at Feeding Big about the Blackened Fish Sandwiches we had for dinner on Friday.

 

Homemade easy sandwich rolls

Blackened Cajun Tilapia

 Thanks for stopping by!  I look forward to seeing what you are up to!

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The Baby

The Baby will be arriving any moment now!  She is back from her 2 month stay in West Virginia.  I am so excited!  She will be here for a couple of weeks before she goes back to school

Can't believe she will be a Senior in college!  I am so very proud of her.  She is the best thing I have ever done!

I will post more in a day or two.  Just know that I have a smile on my face and my heart is happy!



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I've got nothing

I've got nothing. 

I am so saddened by the shootings in Colorado.  I am stuck to the various news broadcasts to find out what is going on. 

The Baby is on her way to see the Batman movie as I write this.  I want to scream, NO!!!!  I want to stop her and protect her.  I am afraid something horrible will happen to her.  My life would never be the same.

Those of you who are parents, understand.  Those of you who are Aunts, Uncles, Sisters, Brothers, Friends understand.

I wonder sometimes what is happening to the people in this world.  How have we been driven to this place.   To the place that killing is the norm.

More than that, how can we stop it.

I will sit in fear until I know The Baby is safe.

She will be home for a couple of weeks before she goes back to college for her Senior year. 

I will hold her tight and tell her I love her.  I know she knows this, but I will make sure that every cell in her body is aware of my love for her.

Take care everyone.  Let your children know you love them.  Let your partner know you love them.  Let your parents and friends know you love them.

I love all of you, my bloggy friends.  Take care and be safe.


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Hot, Hot, Hot, Feelin Hot, Hot, Hot

Hey folks, it is going to be another hot one out there!  Yesterday we hit 99 with a heat index of 105! 

I decided to get in the garden early this morning, which for me means around 8:30 or 9:00 a.m., and get some watering and weeding done. 

The front yard is in the shade in the morning, so I was able to get most of the weeds pulled without having a heat stroke.  The back yard, is another story.  Full on sun!  Hot, Hot, Hot!

Just before I decided to come inside, something bit me on the foot!  God, it hurt.  For some reason, I decided to call Big and tell her.  She now thinks I have been bit by a Black Widow spider (yes, we do have them) and is calling me every 15 minutes to see if I have succumbed to the bite.  I think I stood on a bee, that had decided to sit in the grass.  They do that right?  Anyway, gotta love Big for being concerned.

I was able to take some photos of a few butterflies that didn't mind the heat.  I hope you enjoy them.  These were taken with my new phone.  Sorry if they are not so great.  I am still learning.  The Baby, who has a phone like mine, says there is an editing app or something like that, but I don't know anything about it yet!

The final photo is of a flower that I am unfamiliar with.  When we first moved here, this was the only plant in the back flower bed.  I originally thought it was an iris, because of the leaves.  I know see it is not, but am not sure what it is.  Any ideas!

I hope you have a wonderful day.  I am off to have a quick shower and then to my sewing studio!  I am going to finish the last block of a quilt that I started almost a year ago!  I hope to show it to you tomorrow.  Of course, it is Favorite Things Friday tomorrow and I am not sure this quilt will make it on that list!


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A gift for a friend

Today's post will be short and sweet!  I have been busy cooking, cleaning and creating.  Lane said to get to my list of Things to Do, so I am.  I will share more as the week goes on.

I decided to create a new blog, Feeding Big.  You all know Big and you know it takes a lot to feed her!  I have been enjoying linking up to cooking parties, but decided it was not really appropriate for this blog.  Hence, Feeding Big.  I hope you will stop over and see what is cooking!  I have a lot of work to do on the site and I know I will make a lot of mistakes, but I am having fun with it and know I will learn as I go.

I posted a photo of a t-shirt I made for Big's Mom not too long ago.  P. at The Way I Sew It, was very complimentary.  I asked her if she would like one and she said, "Yes!"  It is in the mail today!  I will show the entire shirt to you when I know she has received it.  Wouldn't want to ruin it for her, would we?

I really need to get better with my camera!

A couple other decisions I have made this week.  I am going to open an etsy shop.  I have been making clothing for American Girl Dolls and have a client or two, but would love to expand and sell more. 

I have also decided to get back to my quilting on a regular basis.  In order make sure I stick with it, I will be joining some quilting parties.  My hope is they will make me get in my studio and sew, sew, sew!  Let me know if you know of any great groups!

Hope you have a wonderful day!  Big is working at home today, so we are adjusting to that!  Oh yeah, she is going to Hawaii with work soon and I am hoping to tag along!  EEEEEEEEeeeeeeee!  (That is me squealing from excitement!)


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Favorite Things Friday

It is finally Friday and Big will be back from Texas later today!  I always look forward to the weekend and the fun things Big and I have in store!

You might think so, but Big's homecoming is not my favorite thing today.  My favorite thing this week is my flower garden. 

I am happy to share my garden with you on  Favorite Things Friday with Mrs. P over at Quilting in My Pyjamas!
If you remember, when we first moved to this home, the garden was very sad looking.

Flower bed in March

I have spent part of every day for the past few months, working in the flower beds.  Big and I have actually created a new bed.

When my Mother came to visit last month, she said, "Oh you have such a nice garden.  It must be because of all the rain you get."  I had to laugh because she lives in the desert and rain is a big event! 

The rain that we had been getting was helpful, but my  constant working in the beds, had a little more to do with the beauty.

Echinacea

Butterfly bush and Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan)

Vinca

White  Echinacea



Agastache

Bee Balm

This bed is just one of the the many.  It takes up a small corner in the backyard.  We also have a bed on each side of the house and in the front of the house, but I will post about those on another day!

When the temperature goes down and you can no longer fry an egg on the sidewalk, Big and I will be outside creating more space for flowers!  My goal is to one day have a Cottage Garden.

I would like it to be noted that most the photos you have been looking at are from my new phone!

I am also linking to Flaunt your Flowers today!

I hope you have a wonderful Friday! 

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Busy Day

I finally got busy!

Here is a list of things I accomplished today:

Schucked, blanched and froze 24 ears of corn
Made sauce from all of the lovely little tomatoes (canned)
Froze 2 pints of raspberries
Froze 2 pints of blackberries
Made Farm Market Corn Salsa (and canned it)
Embroidered a dish towel for a swap partner.

Almost tomato sauce!

Of course, I accomplished things like, eating, walking the dog, and having a glass of wine. 

I am a bit tired.  I hope that I have learned my lesson and in the future will  pace myself better.  I don't want to do all the hard work on one day.

I will take photos of the tomato sauce and the dish towel tomorrow.  It is dark now and I am too tired. 

Hope all of you had a wonderful and productive day!

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When The Cat is Away

I am sure everyone knows the saying, "When the cat is away, the mice will play."  Well, let me tell you, this mouse has been playing!

As you know, Monday was spent reading a book.

Yesterday, was spent wasting time educating myself on Pinterest, Facebook and various websites.

I did manage to make bake some Banana Bread.  I just love the little ones!

Big's Mom gave me the recipe for this

Today was supposed to be busy and productive.  I, again, had a long list of things to do.  I managed to get the veggies from the CSA.  I also made a trip to Joann Fabrics for some thread and had 2 hour conversation with the Husquavara sales ladies.

Red and yellow cherry tomatoes and some Heirlooms

I got in trouble when the car pulled in the AT & T parking lot!  This is what I came home with. 

I did not come home with the wine, just the phone!  The wine is necessary to give me strength to figure out the phone!  Thanks to The Baby, Big and Mrs. P, I took the plunge and jumped into theworld of  modern phones!  I think I will love this phone. once I figure it out!

If you do not hear from me in the next day or two, it is because I am trying to accomplish all that was on my "Things To Do While Big Is Gone" list.  I am not sure if I will get to the bottom of the list, but it won't be for not trying!

Hope you all had a wonderful day,  Thanks for stopping by!

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It is not on my list!

Big is Boot Scootin her way to Texas this morning and I am left Home on the Range to wrangle the ornery critters and take care of the homestead!  By the way, All My Ex's Live in Texas.  (Have you got any of these songs stuck in your head yet?)

Enough about Texas!  When Big is away, I create a long list of things to accomplish during the week.  I think to myself, "I will be left alone and uninterrupted long enough to complete a project." 

I think I am my own worst enemy!

I picked up a book at 5:00 this morning and read for 3 1/2 hours.  I would still be reading if The Baby hadn't called!

If you have never read a Sophie Kinsella book, you should!  She has a way of drawing you in and making  you laugh.  Her books are lighthearted and easy to read.  To me, she writes perfect summer books!  Get yourself a glass of tea or wine and enjoy!

My current read

I could tell you I am going upstairs to sew, but we all know it would be a lie!  I am going to curl up on the sofa and finish this book! 

Hope you enjoy your day!



P.S. - The ex's part is true!Pin It Now!