A Long Winded Post

 I know before I begin that this is going to be a long post. I have much to record and little time these days to do that. I try to remember from day to day what happened so I can record it but whew, that can be hard at times.

First up is BIG NEWS....

Some of you may have caught this big news on my after Christmas post and then wondered what happened to it if you came back to that post...I will explain after I re-share it.

Our family got great big news and surprise would be an understatement at our family Christmas night. 

We were opening gifts and it was my turn. 

The gift was from Paul Allen and Katie. 

I started looking in to my bag and noticed a book and an ornament. I proceeded to pull both out and there was the sweetest ornament of Gus made by Katie. I immediately went ooh and aahh and stood up to hang it on the tree. I had the book in my hand and as I was making my way back to my seat across the room I am slowly looking at it thinking this looks so good. Mind you I am relaxed and in no hurry!!!

Suspense was building for Paul Allen and Katie.

Katie tells me there is something else in it so I am flipping through the pages. I come to a picture in the front where I proceed to stare and try so hard to process what I am looking at. It lasted for what seemed like eternity to all my family. I think they first thought I was reading something that was in the book, like a note from them...

Well, I know that all of you are going, "Sandy is getting another grandbaby!" My mind would just NOT process this. I stared and stared trying to make sense. "Was this part of the book?" After an eternity, Lindsay figured out that only one thing could stump me like this and blurts out, "Are y'all pregnant?" 

Katie shakes her head yes, and my mind started working. I was able to squeal and give hugs. 

The whole situation was so unexpected that I forgot to take my annual photo of the kids by the Christmas tree that I have done FOREVER!

I took it down after Katie said she was going to hold off on telling the staff at her school for a while. This mother-in-law wasn't going to take a one in a billion chance that someone from her school would read it here before she told them.

Grandbaby #3 will arrive in July and Mimi's Daycare will grow again. Katie plans to take off first semester which will coincide perfectly with little Palmer going to Daycare in January. My heart is so full!!!

They will learn at the beginning of March the sex, but the doctor told them at the last appointment that he is 80% sure it is a boy. 

Onto other life updates:

I shared at the end of "21 that Jeff and I knew this year would hold some rough days. And that has been true. My lack of writing has been me trying to deal with all that. When life gives some rough waters, I find I am not always able to write. Not always true, but this time around coupled with winter, business of keeping babies and other assorted things I have just not been able to compose thoughts.

My brother-in-law has started the spiral of his lung cancer. It has already been hard to watch and deal with,  so I have been very mindful of my time and thoughts. I am sorry to say as a blogger I have not read much or commented on anyone's blog. I apologize for that. I have really considered whether I wanted to continue but God keeps holding me on to for some reason. The time that I am in currently is not a time to make a decision and I know that, so I feel no reason to rush a decision or do anything for that matter except take time for my family and self care.

I will share two other things that have been hard on the feelings and then we will move on to the GOOD STUFF of life.

I have a good teacher friend that no longer lives here in town, but we have kept in touch. She and I taught next door for almost a decade. She was Paul Allen's teacher and her husband was his football coach in the first two years of high school. Before they left here, she had begun to get sick with what was diagnosed as Hepatitis (the bad kind). She has gotten it with her first child's birth back in the early 80s and a blood transfusion. It has taken a toll on her liver and she has been going downhill for some time now. I had heard from her just a few weeks ago where we talked for a very long time. She had been through a rough patch but was able to communicate with me. Then she went silent again. I knew it couldn't be good. I also had figured out on my own that basically she had to get so bad to be on that transplant list. It has happened. She has about 3 months without a transplant. Her daughter posted that she has almost passed this past week and that the process has started which I believe means she has to be in Birmingham until the liver is available. 

Couple that with watching Danny, I just had me a sappy teary day last week. 

I also have had a very good friend move in the last week. Jeff and I were so shocked when they hit us with the news just before Christmas that they were moving across the state. Tom grew up here like Jeff and we just couldn't imagine what had come over them. They are really really good friends. We still haven't fully accepted it yet, but nonetheless they left last Sunday for their new home in an over 55 community on the east coast. One son lives here and is expecting a grandbaby so I did a shower last weekend for them YES, I have been so busy. I am so crazy these days that I have no photos to share. 

Solution to Winter Blues

It is no secret secret that winter is not my favorite season, but over the years I have learned what makes it better for me. The solution: staying busy and lots of house projects. That is what I have done. I hate cold and dreary days. I can tolerate the cold if the sun is shining. Somehow I just knew this winter was going to be a winter. IT has: I have been busy with life events but also with a long to do list.

I have painted more closets. I still haven't painted the fishing room yet, but maybe very soon. 

We have had some work done on our dock. January and February are the best months to work on some projects water related because the water levels are so low. There has been work all around our home with new seawalls and repairs to docks. Everyone in our circle has had work, as well as across the way. Those poor boys have been in that water on some of the coldest days putting in seawalls and new pilings which is what we had done. They are hardy souls is all I can say.

Across the bayou has taken on a whole new look. Our boat is out of the water for some updates and repairs. 

Like everyone else I am longing for spring. I have tried not to think too hard on it until just now. I am looking forward to March where I can turn my attention from inside chores to outside. That means I better get on that fishing room soon.

Outside, I need to wash windows and pressure wash porches and stone walls. Oh yes, I have lots to do and am looking forward to those spring days. 

Gardening: Indoors and Outdoors

Indoors. One of the best things I did was downsize my houseplants. I have a manageable amount with enough color and fun to keep me happy.

I have one newer plant that replaced an older one...nothing new. I am determined I will maintain the amount I have now and no more. This has been fun to watch. I got a cutting from my aunt of a dolphin plant. The blooms look like dolphins leaping.

Outdoors. I am starting to let myself dream of spring with this weekend. I am also pleased with my changing of things over the past two years in the outside flowerbeds. I added some new day lilies back in the fall to fill in the front flowerbed that once housed all those roses that JUST WOULD NOT GROW in the soil or humidity. They are all peeking up. I can't wait to see their beautiful blooms about April. 

I have ordered one new rose to go in a pot that has already been accounted for in my allotment outside to water. I saw this rose in a lady down the street's pot back last spring and asked her about it. It is on order and supposed to arrive when it is time for my zone. I am waiting with bated breath.

In one other bit of flower news, I have spent years trying to find something that would grow in my swans on the front porch. This my friends was taken today.

They have weathered well even under some very cold nights. It seems they are sheltered from the cold here in the little corners of my porch that needs pressure washing.

Fun Projects

I made Tucker's Valentine's cards. Lindsay found a picture and sent it to me. I told her I could make those on the computer. Now, the picture we saw was much fancier as I just have the Pages that comes with a Mac computer, but I thought they turned out cute. I want to make sure I stay somewhat tech savvy, so I have encouraged her to send me projects like that because she has limited time. I found these cute little trucks to add to them and the ribbon was from my stash. She and Tucker assembled them and he was so excited to give them to his friends at Daycare.

The teacher sent a video on the app of him passing them out. All the little kids were driving them on the table. He was so proud of himself passing them out.

It is truly the little things in life that bring smiles to my face.

Another project I have been working on is my ancestry book. I am doing a little bit every week of this...

I have a form I am using to add information. I have a whole list of rules to use before placing in the notebook. I am doing maternal first by levels, like grandparents first and  then another level with great grandparents. Or course, each time that doubles the pages if I know the material. I always do maternal first and am adding females married names in italics so that when some last name comes up as how are we related to that name the kids can see the origins.

This has been on my to do list for too long. Time to get a dent in it. Making the form was the biggest dent: Who knew that was my stumbling block.

Reading

I have divided any free time between reading and stitching. I have watched very little TV or any Youtube videos to delve into my 2 favorite pastimes. (I keep my book handy and rather than scroll or turn on the computer I have reached for a few pages of my book). My other favorite pastime is gardening which will divide the other two come spring.

I read an amazing book; a very large book.

I have been on a quest to limit my purchases which I will share more about in a second, but this book caught my eye right after the new year. The title caught my eye and I love the author. He is a pastor out west and I have heard him speak and listen to  him on occasion. I knew that Buzz had communion upon landing on the moon, so that title captured my attention.

I am ashamed to admit that I became a SPACE NERD SNOB while trying to decide if I would purchase. You see this pastor is young and I said to myself, "What could this young whippersnapper know about space?" He is far too young to share my passion, but that title and his ability to write and speak made me go back two times to look at it. 

OH MY STARS! I am so glad I went back and clicked purchase. IT is indeed worth the read for any space nerd, but the pastor is full on gifted to pull together the ideas in this book.

Communion coupled with the last 7 things Jesus said on the cross, the 7 I Am statements of Jesus in the book of John, and the letters to the 7 churches in the book of Revelations with space history and his thoughts on conquering one's inner space (the mind) made for one of the most captivating books I have read in a while.

400 pages of Sandy goodness.. Is it for everyone? Probably not, but my friends, Levi is every bit the space nerd that I am. I hope I have some former students out there that are reading and loving this book.

I shared both the book jacket and the book because of my most recent post on throwing out book covers. I could have guessed with my most long time readers if you stood in my court with keeping them. If you are one of those that throw them out (God forbid) then you would have a great book to KEEP in your library.

I am also reading a wonderful book that I will share later.

Now, speaking of limiting purchases.

I have been on a quest to downsize my belongings for some time now and in keeping with that idea, part of it is bringing nothing new back in.

Last year, I recorded in a notebook purchases in different categories. I am a visual person so I wanted to see what I was spending money on and if they had truly been worth the money I spent.

This was so helpful. I jotted down anything I thought I might want and thought hard before buying. I really only made one poor purchase last year in clothes and 2 poor purchases in books. I think Lindsay is getting the dress and the books have already been donated.

I bought a shirt the other day that I am in love with so let's talk...

Fashion

My wardrobe has taken a dramatically different look in retirement. Not my style, but the elements of my wardrobe. I am a simpler classic with a bit of preppy in there for style.

On any given wintery day, this is my look... 

(please excuse the unkempt hair)

I love cotton tees from Talbots or LLBean but they leave my neck exposed. Hence, this vest which I wear most days:)

I love a good ole 100% cotton button-down. The one on the left was a petite medium which is my go to size, but in this particular shirt it was oversized. I washed it in hot water which drew it up some. 

I love the shirt. I wear it a ton even though it is somewhat big on me, but I wanted one that was more fitted but NEVER ever tight. I don't do tight. These shirts came on sale and I ordered the small (the pink striped on the right) and I found a winner winner. I will wear this thing out. It still feels so comfy but now I can dress it up or down depending on how I style it. 

However, my point of sharing is that in keeping up with my purchases and really thinking before I hit click I have really honed in on my style and added only things that coordinate with what I have and that I know I am going to get lots of use. This is all important as one hits those retirement years. 

Jeff and I are dreaming about retirement. Not in a bad way. IT is so hard to really make plans as things change that you can't foresee, but we are thinking about things we would like to do. I even went to look at a waterfront lot the other day. We have talked about downsizing the house, but the truth is this place we are at is just wonderful in so many ways. Actually the truth is it only two downsides. It is not the size which would be the first to come to mind with most. I can close off two parts of it and really only live in 4 rooms. The downside is the size of the yard. I need more space for Gus to run freely and the other is the biggest of all... I don't care for my next door neighbors who are way too close and just truly a pain in the a$$ ---yep, Sandy typed that and there is not way to say it in a polite fashion.

Why must people be so human? ARGGHH...

Weeellll, that is all the thoughts in my head. Jeff has been busy today so I finally had a chance to do a mind dump and record some life.

If you have survived reading, then you are probably better able to concentrate than I have been.

In closing, my little Palmer is 7 months old on Monday.

I count myself so very blessed to spend time with these little boys every day. 

And just think, I get another one to add to my blessings.

I am about to try and do my stitching post for February next, so if I am lucky I will have two posts in one day.

Signed, 

A not so good blogger,

Sandy

Covid Update and a Crafting Project

 The fact that I can write crafting project in my title lets you know my state of mind is much better. Jeff is doing much better. He has more energy and has had no fever today. He is still tired and I have encouraged rest and he seems to be listening.

The epidemiologist didn't make their phone call to him until almost 3:00 PM today so that let me know they are swamped. I was feeling fine and settled in with Jeff feeling better. I received my news at about 4:30 that I am negative.

That was a surprise to everyone but me. I have had a cold and that is what it is ... a regular cold that wouldn't even raise eyebrows in a different time. As soon as I felt that coming on after keeping Tucker I started taking extra Vitamin C along with my other supplements. 

Jeff and I have worn masks when in the same room since Friday and I wash every dish he touches in hot soapy water and then wipe the counters and areas he is in with Lysol wipes. If I get it I will just get it but this is our current state.

Much gratefulness that it seems to be mild and not as contagious as if he were coughing and spewing germs everywhere. 

Lindsay is 100% and Tucker is well. Tyler has shown no signs and Lindsay's quarantine is up today. Of course, it being Thanksgiving week they have no plans to go out anyway. Tyler is officially in quarantine until Thursday since he has not gotten it. 

The rules in our area are 10 days in quarantine from a positive test date with no symptoms. If you are a close contact and have not contracted it you are in a 14 day quarantine. Poor Mama...she has to go without seeing any of us a little longer.

Hope that is helpful to others out there wondering what is going on with this virus. Will I get it? I have no idea, but I am just doing what I can and taking precautions and that is all one can do.

Now as promised - a crafting project. I had a pair of Annabelle dolls, drummer boys to be exact since the early 1990s. They were a gift from my mother-in-law. Oh my goodness, probably 15 years ago, one of the dogs shredded the taller one to pieces.  

I held onto the smaller one even though the drum was damaged. I kept thinking I will find a new drum and one day fix it. That thing has stayed in my Christmas bins for all this time. I never seemed to find a a drum the right size to repair it. Last Christmas I took it out of the bins and left it sitting out on top in the closet hoping I would come up with a plan for it.

The other night after having started to pull out Christmas decorations and seeing my newly stitched drum that I made this summer....

it came to me. Why not make one?

I did just that. I went and found a piece of white linen and an old pattern border and stitched up some stars to match. Then the next day set out to make it into a drum.

The other really special thing other than salvaging a wonderful memory from my mother-in-law is that the fabric for the drum top and bottom are scraps from an old Vanity Fair housecoat of mine. I know city folk call them robes, but country folk call them housecoats and slippers are called house shoes. 

I am a country girl. Almost every member of my family worked at Vanity Fair in Monroeville at some point in their life and we wore VF undies and bedroom clothes. It is who we are!

This made the little drum even more special. Little drummer boy will find a place again in the decor of Christmas. 

Thanksgiving and Christmas are not normal this year. This entire year hasn't been normal. I have given up on thinking it will be. I am just ready as Arlene said today in her post...be hopeful. 

The Lord is our hope. Jesus is the hope we need. I have prepared an Advent reading to start this Sunday. I am eagerly looking forward to it.

As my Aunt Faye has said more times than I can count in my growing up years..."This too shall pass!" She said it so much that at one time I was sure it must be in the Bible. IT is not, but still wise words.

Thank you all so much for your kind comments and prayers. They helped immensely. I will keep you updated on the virus here so we can learn from each other.

Grateful even in uncertainty,

Sandy

A Little Stitching, a Crafty Project, and some Hope

I have not stitched nearly as much this week, but I am on #16 of 24 on my Christmas calendar. If I can continue with that pace I should finish them all in July which is my goal.

I also did a craft project. Now, I am not the most crafty person and it is nowhere near great but it is better than what was it was.

This lampshade was just plain dirty. It has always been a cute lamp which is a small scale match to the larger table lamps in the room. The shade was just the cheapest little thing and was quite frankly yucky. I have tried to clean it but it is a magnet for dirt. I tried to find a new one over a year ago, but to no avail. Kind of a weird size. I would love one of those pleated lamp shades that I have seen for outrageous prices on Etsy, but not for the prices.

I decided I couldn't mess it up anymore than it looked so I went for it. I had the fabric, so I traced out a shade cover and sprayed it with Aleene's Tacky Spray which I also had. I was able to fold down the back seam and then glue it down with Aleene's Tacky Glue and I tried to trim the top and bottom neatly and folded over and glued them down as well. The edges were not finished.

I could have left it alone, but I saw one in a magazine with some cording, so I tried to do some. I really think I could have used a little lighter blue and maybe 4 strands of blue and 2 of the ecru, but you know it was a first time. It looks better than it did and I had all the materials, so I am happy with it.

Last Saturday, Jeff and I got up very early to go with Lindsay and Tucker to the Gulf Breeze zoo. Tyler had to do something else, so we gladly filled in. We are so lucky to have a nice zoo so close to us. It is small but a good one. It was not crowded when we went, but by the time we were leaving, it got VERY hot and the crowds were rolling in, so our decision to get up early fared us well.

Lindsay has always been a zoo lover which is so surprising since she is totally girly girl. Tucker loved it and his mama was as much fun to watch as him. He was not afraid at all of the goats and let them eat right out of his hand. I credit that with constantly feeding dogs.  He was a bit more intimidated by the larger animals AND the train ride.

I have had a rather long week. Mother is doing much better with her shingles so that it is a blessing. Tyler's grandmother passed away so Lindsay and Tyler had to go to Atlanta. I kept Tucker here as she had passed away from Covid. She was 91 and had fallen in her assisted living facility. She never was able to recover. This happened right about the time of the lockdown in March. She was in a rehab facility and came down with pneumonia and then the virus. It was tough on Tyler's mom and her sisters because they couldn't see her until the end. She never really fully understood what was going on. Tough times for sure people. 

I am no spring chicken. I was more than happy to help but keeping one the whole day and night is a lot. I have no idea how so many grandparents are raising their grandkids. 

*******HOPE*******

I really have been digging into the God's Word instead of the world's views. I am not there yet with no fear, but I am here to tell you that it is helping. I am on a mission to stop this craziness of fear. I know better than this fear thing. Yes, I know these times are different, but as a follower of Jesus I should not be acting like the rest of the world.

Once I decided that I would tackle this fear thing head on, I have come across so many interesting reads, so many wonderful verses, and a great sermon by my own pastor this past Sunday that have affirmed that I need to keep up the focus. The Lord met me and has guided and helped so much.

Now, don't think for a second I have it all together. I have my own share of worries for which I will leave mine off because I want to start focusing on hope not worry.

I read a wonderful article, well actually several in the latest issue of Decision Magazine. You can read it online for free. 

I also had decided to do a study of Ephesians which led me to read the section of Acts where Paul was in Ephesus before I tackled Ephesians. A couple of verses really struck me in Chapter 19 especially the latter part of that chapter which  just reminded me trouble and chaos have abounded forever. While it is new to us as blessed Americans the chaos is not new. You can read it if you choose, but the people were in the streets yelling for "two hours." I thought it quite funny that several versions reiterated the two hours and they were quieted by a mayoral figure who told them they would be accused of rioting by the Roman government and that there were proper channels with which to be heard.

The piece of inspiration I am going to share is part of the message from this past Sunday. The Scripture was from Hebrews 11 and 12.

A few notes worth mentioning from the sermon.

He used the analogy of twisting a lens on a camera to focus what is right in front of you to be very clear and yet the entire image especially the background can become blurry. 

We can come so focused on the news of the day and the troubles right in front of us that we don't see what is in the background. We are so focused on what is right in front of us that we can't see God.

However, when we choose to spend time with God we can change that perspective. When we read the Bible, pray, sing praises that lens can give us a different perspective. We begin to see what Jesus has done for us. Now, I am shortening an entire sermon into a view paragraphs, but we see the truth of what He has already done for us. 

The things right in front of us lose focus. We fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer or author and the perfecter of our faith.

Faith is trusting the One who is faithful.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says....

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  [a]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the [b]author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Then I saw a piece on the new Mars  rover called Perseverance scheduled for launch this month.  I love the name....I want my focus to be on the virtue of persevering with faith.

I am working on trying to keep a positive attitude and stay focused on the Lord. I am fully admitting it has been hard with the news and the worries of the future, but I simply must try and be hopeful. 

Well, that is it for this past week. I have read many things this past week that have inspired me and maybe at some point I can share more. I am in the thick of things too, folks. I have a cousin on death's bed and that is weighing on me, but she is a Christ follower. That is comfort.

Persevering...and trying to do it with hope,

Sandy

Lemony is 11

Happy Monday

Did anyone catch that I did a #throwbackThursday on a Wednesday last week?

That was my state of mind last week. Mother had a rough week and I just went back and forth a good bit. We got her to the doctor and got her an antibiotic, but she has GREAT trouble taking them, so ...we had a throwing up session one day. We are now on the second one and she seems to be on the mend. Now, I am just hoping that one round clears up an infection in both ears. She is lots better but still feeling poorly.

In better news, Lemony had a birthday yesterday. She is 11. She seems to be in great health although she does get around slower which means she is a probably a bit heavier than she needs to be. She just can't chase those tennis balls anymore and is relegated to walks in the neighborhood. She is Miss Social Butterfly and everyone knows her.

Sweet Girl

Gus trying to get in the picture because he is so jealous.

Yesterday afternoon, I made the Double Chocolate Biscotti that Carol at Stitching Dreams mentioned in this post. It was quite tasty. I had such a chocolate hankering and it did the trick. The recipe is here.

 I found some pink candles on the cheap at Hobby Lobby.

In stitching news, I finished another letter in Tucker's name and ordered a frame for the family sampler. I will share pictures of both later.

I have also started a project that has been sitting in my sewing room for-E-V-E-R. It is a t-shirt quilt. It is a hodgepodge mess. I have made one for Lindsay before and with all of her t-shirts I was able to cut them in the same size squares so it was an easy peasy quilt. This is not the case with this one. It is going to be an assortment of odd size pieces all put together with just whatever is in my scrap boxes. I do have some fabric for the backing in my stash so stay tuned for the finished product which will not be cute at all, but meaningful to me. More about the pieces in a later post.

I still have not figured out the solution to the Safari comments which is quite annoying. Hopefully, I can find some time to hunt down a solution soon.

I did work on my header. I am a picture header person, so a quick new header is up. When I have some time and motivation I will try to make it fit my liking but for now ...

And that is all I have to say for today:)


Happy MLK,Jr. Day,
Sandy

Morning Beach Walk and a Stitching Finish

I made it out to the beach for a walk this morning.

Since hurting my back, I thought I would wait for my gym visit until tomorrow and savor the good weather this morning.

There is really nothing like a morning walk at the beach this time of year. It is a great way to start the day.

This really was the second picture. I guess I needed some flash. #notaphotographer

This afternoon I worked to put my finished stitching in its tart.

For all of you professional finishers who make all of this look so easy...you may stop reading right now and come back another day.
I am straight up embarrassed to show you the rest.

However, I always want to see pictures of how things are done, so I am sharing how I did it. Arlene @Nanaland asked for a tutorial.

I really did plan to stitch the back like the lacing I have seen. However, I just couldn't seem to control it as well OR maybe I just lost my patience and went with what I knew.

So here goes...

I didn't not have any sticky board or mat board on hand. I was so sad and thought if I leave to go get some all my work time will be lost and motivation with it, so I improvised.

I found the back of an old graph paper notebook and cut two circles out using the removable piece of the pie tart pan as a guide.

I used two pieces since I didn't think one was sturdy enough and used tacky spray glue to hold them together. I had perfect weight then.

I used some batting I had on hand. It is some that is used for quilting found at Joann's, but fluffy kind. I only used one layer, but I might use two next time.

My tart was like a biscuit with no baking powder with only one layer.

I am undecided on if I need it with more baking powder. I will test it next time.

I was pleased with it though😊

I didn't even glue the batting.

I then used my tacky glue to start gluing it down on the back. I always use my small clothes pins to hold down what I glue until it dries. The clothes pins are the size you usually find in the baby shower stuff. These were left from my classroom.

I added a washer on second thought. Much like my monthly cottages. I use washers to hold them to a magnet placed in frames. I think the pie tarts are so cute that I might like to prop them up in a basket or shelf. I didn't have to glue the magnet since the pans are metal.

So that my friends is the way I did mine.
I am sure I have lots to learn!

That is for today. I hope this helped some poor DIY'er like me who is not nearly as crafty as she would like to be.

Crafter wannabe,

Sandy

Update: After I posted this, I was surfing Pinterest and found this link which has a wonderful tutorial for what I did and it looks much better.

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A Crafty Update

Thanks for all the kind thoughts about Mama yesterday. We went in early yesterday to the doctor. She has a middle ear infection. She let it get bad before she went, so she has been in quite a bit of pain. I honestly have trouble knowing how sick Mom is sometimes. She has difficulty relaying what is going on with her and she will not go to the doctor until she says it is time whether that is too late or too early.

I went over every couple of hours yesterday to check on her. Everyone feels better in their own bed when they are sick. I am hoping she will be better today, but I think it will take a few days to get those ear drops working.

Yesterday was a perfect example of what I was talking about with my time management. I never know when my days are going to get turned upside down. For awhile I moaned and groaned, because I like routine. I crave routine in fact, but it is not to be. With my list making of how I spent my time, I saw that I just had to make a plan to work with where my life is right now.

I have made a few lists with those 15 to 30 minutes times in my day in mind. Rather than throw up my hands that my day gets turned upside down, I am trying to maximize those small amounts of time. Yesterday, I did just that and actually surprised myself at what I accomplished and took good care of Mom too.

Now, for some crafty stuff I have been up too.

I collected some leaves at the cabin way back in the summer. I had in mind making my own botanical prints. I have come across botanicals in about three different blogs that I just really liked. I have absolutely no place for them in the house, but they would be perfect at the cabin or the farm.

I took the leaves and placed them in between some thick paper towels and stacked books on top of them and left them for quite a long time. I never took the time to do anything with them. They sat on the corner of my work counter in the sewing room. The other day I thought to myself ---it is time to do something with them. Not really wanting to spend much money, I went to Walmart for frames and found these for less than $8.00 a piece. I had the art paper. I adhered them with rubber cement. I am not out much if they don't last.

My plan is to hang them in the cabin since they are all leaves from there. I have a smaller set of three also. I am waiting on some frames for them from Amazon. Again a good deal on them.

When I get them hung, I will share again. I will go in a couple of weeks for a ball game.

I finally finished the Christmas piece.

I am almost finished with the Nutcracker. I have three more to do in the set. I don't know if I will get them all done by Christmas this year or not. My plan is to add red cording around the edge.

I use small clothespins to hold things together when waiting for glue to dry.

When I do red jackets, I will do a red stripe background with blue cording.

I plan to redo the cording. It takes a bit of practice. When I think I have mastered it I will add it to the ornament and then share my thoughts on how difficult it is to do. I am not the best at things such as this, but I think it is something I can figure out.


Oh and my pecans...there is no way I can leave good pecans on the ground. It is just not in me, so I hope to go back on Thursday and crack a few and see if there are some I can pick up.

Oh, and I have to share later a Christmas afghan Mom crocheted for me. I also I need to share some doggie pictures. Gus is growing like crazy. I will stop for now...

Sandy

A Little Crafting Project

As promised here is a picture of the seating chart that was made for my daughter's mother-in-law.

She needed a seating chart for the wedding reception of my son-in-law's twin brother who is getting married this weekend.

Lindsay was tasked with this project, so to Pinterest we went. Of course, Pinterest makes everything look so easy and it is never that easy.

We found an old frame and painted it silver. We then bought mat board at Hobby Lobby and had it cut to size. That was the only thing we could find that was navy. The pearls were flat bottomed in the craft section. We just glued them on to add a little glitz.

I wrote out the names and numbers on the cards. School teacher handwriting comes in handy sometimes.

The top was done with a Cricut machine which I now must make use of to make it worth the money. I was in a no spend time, so I will have to learn to use it well and make some crafty gifts for birthdays, weddings, etc.

We are headed to the wedding as well this weekend and then plan to take a few days away as well. I won't be back blogging until the end of next week.

Hoping to relax a bit,
Sandy

Memorial Day Weekend

It was a pretty quiet weekend around here. I spent a good portion of Saturday helping Lindsay with a project, while the guys were all fishing. Lindsay is in charge of a seating chart sign for Tyler's twin brother who is getting married next month. Her mom-in-law asked her to come up with something. I think we have a pretty good thing going, so I will share it with you when we are done. She scoured Pinterest of course for ideas and we thrifted a few things and got the rest from Hobby Lobby.
Sneak peek...

Memorial Day is a aways a holiday that sparks emotions. One of which is just the sheer gravity of how lucky we are for the sacrifices of so many. I always tried to teach that to my students even though they much like me had summer on their mind. It is not a holiday to be taken lightly in my mind. We are so blessed!

On the other hand, it does mark summer for me. Even though, the official start of summer is later in June. Here in the deep south, the warm temps are in full swing. When I was a kid, I looked forward to summer and beach trips or just the free time to listen to records, play with my cousins, or read.

Later, when I had children, I could not wait for school to be out to be with them. Jeff and I were looking at photo albums this week. I took so many pictures of them in the summer. We lived for that time together with no schedules. Time flew too fast.

Now days I get to enjoy all the seasons, so I can't really choose a favorite season anymore. Summer is hot as blazes, and we will be drenched in sweat very soon just walking out to the front yard, but it still holds the promise of a lazier schedule.

The cows arrived at the farm this weekend. I have not seen them in person yet. I will go up on Wednesday to see about the garden and meet them. Jeff couldn't stand it, so he went up today and sent me the following pictures.

One of them is expecting any day now. I can't really tell from this picture, but maybe the middle one.

They are miniature cows. I have never seen any in real life. 

Jeff titled this above photo "French Kiss" when he sent it. No, thank you! 

Below, is "Captain Morgan," the bull.

I can't wait for Lemony to see them. Wonder what she will think?!!

I made a top today. I didn't put a ton of effort in it, but I did cut out a skirt that I plan to sew carefully. I also want to make a shift like dress, and then I will go back to just crafty sewing for awhile, or at least I think.

I will most likely just wear it around the house and on the dog walks this summer. 

Jeff made some fresh salsa tonight and brought home these from the grocery store.

Oh my word, they were delicious. Yes, the bag was full and we ate them all. That didn't help the diet, but they were all things I can eat. I mean they were yummy!!!

Let's see, I finally took my Freedom stitching to the framer's. I haven't gotten it back yet, but I am so in love with the frame I picked out. I can't wait to show y'all.

I have two things I am working diligently on. Alternating days... I will share soon. I was hoping to finish the two I am working on by the end of May, because I have some Christmas stuff I want to work on. 

That about sums up my weekend,

Sandy