I Have A Dream

I would like to start this posting off by saying a big thank you to everyone who chimed in and supported me during my rant.  I really needed to say some of those things and get them off my chest. 

I would like to report that, although the bugs are not better, the food has gotten better (after a phone call and a threat to go to the paper) for my little Veg Head.  She reports that tofu was on the menu! 

I would also like to thank Dr. Martin Luther King, for his, "I have a dream," statement.  It is one I am using today.

My dream for today is to get my craft room/studio in shape!  You remember this don't you?

My current Pepto Bismol mess!

I really would like to turn it in to something like this.



Photo Source:  Olabelhe

Photo source:  Olabelhe



Photo Source: Olabelhe

Honestly, is that not one of the most beautiful studios you ever did see?

Big's mother is supposed to visit us for a week or so (need lots of wine, will accept donations).  I have decided that, in my spare time (haha), I will whip up a studio that will look much like this one. 

Do you think I can do it?  I hope so. 

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Staying Positive

I am working really hard to stay positive.  It is an uphill challenge right now.  Oh nothing horribly wrong is going on, just those little things that add up until you want to scream! 

I am close to screaming!!

First off, good news.  I have my etsy shop open.  I don't know if you noticed or not, but I have a tab that will take you straight to my shop.  I know most of you are sewers and could make these doll clothes, but perhaps you know someone who doesn't sew or who wouldn't want to work with small patterns.  I would appreciate your looking at the shop and passing the information on to anyone you can think of.  Thanks so much.  You all are great!

Now to something that may make me scream! 

As you know, The Baby just went back to school for her Senior year.  I am so happy she will graduate soon and I know she will work hard at any job she gets.  Here is what is making me crazy.  Her tuition went up over $5000.00!!!  Part of that is for classes, part for food and part for room.  The Baby is a vegetarian and has had to supplement her diet with food she has to purchase on her own.  They do not cook for vegetarians.  We were promised there would always be a good meal for her every night!  The second thing is where she lives.  The school built a new 5 million dollar dorm.  The Baby has elected to stay in an older apartment building because it has a full kitchen and she can cook for herself (remember, they don't feed her properly)  She is a resident assistant, which means her room is paid for and in return she agrees to be on duty and make sure all hell doesn't break out.  This is a good thing, but now the apartments where she lives are infested with roaches, her internet is no where to be seen, and she is expected to put in more hours and walk across the campus at 3:00 a.m. to pull rounds!  Who makes a young, pretty woman walk alone at that time of the morning?!?!?

I have never been a helicopter mom, but I can promise you this.  I am so close to becoming one.  I am not a happy camper at this moment.

Here is a little thing that is currently driving me crazy.  I am trying to find new blogging friends and build viewership of both of my blogs.  I spend a lot of time visiting and commenting and few if any ever respond.  I am beginning to think I should just give up!

Oh well, I am sure all will work out.  I say my affirmations and try to keep upbeat!

Sorry for going on, but thanks for listening.  Tomorrow will be better.  I promise.   I am off to get some sewing done, that will make me happy!

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Back to the Way it Was

Life is getting back to the way it was.  The way it was before The Baby came home for a few weeks.

There are good things about this of course.  I get the house clean, I sew, I manage to get outside and water the plants!

There are also some bad things about this.  There is no one here to laugh with, bake with, make funny faces with, etc.   Yes, I laugh with Big.  Sometimes I make faces with Big, but usually behind her back!  But Big has a busy year and will be on the road more often than not.

We all had such a good time while The Baby was here.  We played games, watched movies, took walks and generally enjoyed each other's company.  There is a certain fullness when The Baby is home.  I think all "empty nesters" must feel this way.

I am proud of our daughter.  She is such a wonderful young adult and I know she will make a difference in the world.

She will be home again at Thanksgiving and the wonderful craziness will be here again, until then, I have some cleaning and sewing to do!

Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it!


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Getting ready for canning

I wish I could post about some wonderful sewing project that I have completed.  I have not sewn 1 stitch.

The Baby and I went to a couple local farms today to see if we could get tomatoes for canning.  Can you believe you have to get on a list to buy tomatoes that have seen their better day?  I find this a bit crazy, but we are now on the list.  I was hoping to send The Baby back to school with homemade pasta sauce, but I don't think it will happen.

This container is called a "Busket" 

What will happen, is peach butter.  We went to a "U Pick" farm and picked most of the peaches that were available.  Of course, the best peaches were in the No Pick zone! 

While there we were able to snag some pears also. 

After dinner, The Baby and I decided to go in our front yard and pick (shake) apples from our trees.  We have 5 apple trees in the front yard and 1 in the back yard!  We picked about 4 buskets  (really, this is a word!) full.  There are so many apples!

Tomorrow morning will find The Baby and I peeling peaches and apples and turning them into wonderful, spicy Peach Butter and Apple Butter.

Hope you have had a wonderful day!  Sewing will begin again next week after The Baby goes back to school.

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Fun with The Baby

This is not much of a post today.  The Baby and I did some shopping and picked up our vegetables. 

When we got home from our errands, we began to chat about a cat we used to have.  We would put him in a sweater and he would just freeze. He didn't really get mad or anything, he just wouldn't move.  We decided it would be fun to try it with Monet (the cat from hell).

I am not sure she is excited about this!

 Here is a video of him.

I promise, he was not hurt in the process.

I don't think there will be much sewing going on for the next week, but I hope you will come back to visit and see what The Baby and I have been up to!!

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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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