Happy Homemaker Monday

THE WEATHER: It has the promise of being a nice day...forecast is for the mid 60s. Sorry for all those  in the snowy parts of the country! I so enjoy the sunshine, even on cooler days, and am so thankful for it.
RIGHT NOW I AM: Waiting for my tea to cool so I can sip it.
THINKING: Thinking of the sewing I need to do today.  I'm behind on one challenge, as I needed to get some Pellon.
ON MY READING PILE: At the top is my Bible and other devotional books. I am currently doing a two year Bible reading plan along with reading an excellent book on the life of Christ, "Desire of Ages," by Ellen White. Other than that are my quilting magazines a health magazine, and various books on my Kindle.
ON MY TV: Nothing at the moment. I am enjoying the early morning stillness before our little village awakens for the day.
SOMETHING FUN TO SHARE: Yesterday we went to Amarillo to Chucke Cheese.  I had a great time watching all the children and their parents play the various games. Sometimes 'people-watching' is very entertaining!
ON THE MENU FOR THIS WEEK:     Monday: Veggies with ravoli, veggie patty
                                                              Tuesday: Couscous with veggies
                                                              Wednesday: black bean burrito
                                                              Thursday: undecided
                                                               Friday: undecided
 
ON MY 'TO-DO' LIST:  Put away the items that go down in the "basement."          

                                        Finish the Purple Challenge, photograph it, and post the photo to the      group
                                        Bring boxes down from storage
WHAT I AM SEWING, CROCHETING, CRAFTING: The aforementioned Mug Rug, stitching out all the Deco stitches on my sewing machine for another Challenge, and the ever-present mending.
LOOKING AROUND THE HOUSE: I see a few things to be taken care of, my much-loved little dog asleep here beside me in the rocker, and the first hints of dawn are appearing outside my windows. "God's in His heaven, all's right with the world."--Browning

FROM MY CAMERA: This is the mug rug I made for the Purple Challenge. The challenge was to use five different purple fabric and make something. I have no idea just why it looks poofed in the photo, it isn't! You only count four different fabrics? well, here's the back!

 
ON MY PRAYER LIST: My friend Ruby, too many others to list.
BIBLE VERSE, DEVOTIONAL: "In Your, O Lord, do I put my trust and confidently take refuge; let me never be put to shame or confusion!" Psalms 71:1 Amplified

Have an absolutely awesome beautiful day in the Lord!

I was out having a fun day with the grandchildren who are on Spring Break this week so this didn't get posted when it should have, but seriously, what's more important, children or blogs?

See you next time!

                                 Shell



 

"Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'"

I know, I'm not in Oklahoma, but close enough and that song just popped in my head! The sun just came up, the birds are already flitting about in search of their breakfast, the snow is almost gone, it truly is a BEAUTIFUL morning!

I did manage to get one piece of mending done this past week. It is such a good feeling to see the pile getting smaller! And, I got my fabrics cut out for the Purple Challenge that I've joined.  The challenge is to make something, anything, using five different purple fabrics prints or anything, and they can be any shade from palest lavender to black purple.  Here are the ones I found in my stash that I will be using to make an Easter Egg mug rug:

 

 

I may change out the one on the far left if I find something else I like better. The really dark purple has sparkles in it...that one is my granddaughter's favorite of course. (she likes anything with sparkles!)

 

 

During a phone conversation with a fellow blogger we discovered we've both been hit by the same spammer so I will no longer be publishing comments from Anonymous commenters. I'm sorry I have to do this. It's a sad thing that some people have nothing more PRODUCTIVE to do with their time and talents than annoy and waste other's time.

 

 

Today I'm Thankful That:

 

It's March!

Spring will soon be here!

The sun is shinning!

God watches over me.

That I can be near my family.

 

Have an absolutely beautiful and awesome day!

 

 

                                       Shell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Happy Homemaker Monday

THE WEATHER: Well...this morning we had high winds and heavy snow, school was cancelled because of the blizzard conditions and most businesses were closed.  This afternoon the sun came out! And everything started melting. Yay! BUT tonight the low is forecasted to be 10*.  Oh brrr!
Here's what it looked like after the storm.

 

(have you seen snow before? LOL)

RIGHT NOW I AM:  Sitting in my recliner as I write this post and watching the last little bits of the sunset. I love sunrises and sunsets.

THINKING: That it would be VERY nice if it didn't get as cold as the forecast says it will. The weatherman is wrong about other things, why not the cold temperature?

ON MY READING PILE: A book entitled, "There is a Cure For Diabetes."  So far it's very interesting reading, definitely a much healthier lifestyle. I absolutely hate feeling guilty if I eat a piece of bread or have a bite of a Peppermint Patty.

ON MY TV: A large black screen, still no Dish receiver but it should be here Wednesday or Thursday.

FAVORITE BLOG POST THIS WEEK: Everyday Cheapskate Mary Hunt has the greatest advice

SOMETHING FUN TO SHARE:  My little dog needed to go out so I opened the door for her. She took one look at the snow and said, "I'll wait awhile, thank you." Finally she was very desperate and went out...but only about six inches from the steps!

ON THE MENU FOR THIS WEEK:  Monday: Chicken Noodle Soup (it just seemed like a soup kind of day)

                                                                      Tuesday: Lentil Porridge that my daughter shared

                                                                      Wednesday: Probably more soup!

                                                                      Thursday: Remains to be decided

                                                                       Friday: Cook's choice

ON MY TO-DO LIST:  Water the plants before I go to bed. I know the water will be frozen for a day or two, so this is a MUST.

WHAT I AM SEWING,CROCHETING, CRAFTING: I finished a UFO yesterday and am feeling good about that! It's a pad for a dog kennel from a long ago quilting challenge that I obviously never finished. So good to have it finally done. Now to find a home for it.

HOMEMAKING TIPS: Do you buy honey from the beekeeper in quart jars?  And they get sticky and hard to open? Put a piece of plastic wrap on the top of the jar before screwing on the lid. (they do need to be replaced occasionally)

LOOKING AROUND THE HOUSE: I see WAY too much stuff on my (ahem) "kitchen counter", but what to do with it? I'll get this RV living figured out one of these days.

FROM MY CAMERA: SNOW...see above

ON MY PRAYER LIST: My friend Ruby, several other friends with health issues

BIBLE VERSE, DEVOTIONAL: Remember that only one-third of the angels were cast out of heaven.  This means that there are TWO good angels for each evil angel, so we have nothing to fear. 

 

Today's Thankfuls:

 

That Jesus is my Savior

That the snow finally stopped and the wind has quieted down

That my little house is warm and dry.

That I can be down here by my family

 

Have a happy and blessed day!



 

 

 

Happy Homemaker Monday

THE WEATHER:  As Winnie the Pooh would say, "It's a blustery day in the hundred acre wood." Last time I checked my favorite weather page wunderground.com our breeze has slowed from 30 mph down to 26! The clouds are coming in also. In the NW we'd say it would be raining soon, but I really doubt it down here!

RIGHT NOW I AM: Contemplating exactly where to store  the fabric I brought down fro the storage. I'd like to get it made into quilts. It does absolutely no one any good as is. There are so many cold, needy people that would be grateful for even a scrappy quilt that I really NEED to do some good with all of it.

THINKING: That we probably WON'T be playing at the park or going for a walk today. I put the kids off yesterday because I was too busy doing MY thing. I raked leaves and washed a few of the windows, then I was too worn out to even think of walking anywhere.  Shame on me. I'm here to have special time with them and then didn't do anything special that they would have liked.

ON MY READING PILE: Other than my ever-present Bible, only the "Seattle" magazine with an article about CHOCOLATE!  Now how could I NOT read that? LOL

ON MY TV: Nothing yet. But DH DID say he'd ship the DISH receiver down to me so I can have TV again.

FAVORITE BLOG POST THIS WEEK: The Peaceful Mom  This is a great site with tons of useful information

SOMETHING FUN TO SHARE:  I bought "Just Dance for Kids," to entertain the grands when they are over here. It is so funny to watch them because neither one really knows what they are doing!  But they do love doing the Wii Fit, especially the running, balancing and surprisingly, the yoga. Hey, it's much better than just watching cartoons!

ON THE MENU FOR THIS WEEK:  Monday--Bow-Ties/sauce
                                                                    Garlic Bread
                                                                     Salad           
                                                     Tuesday--Cheese Chimichanga
                                                     Wednesday--Tacos
                                                     Thursday--probably the leftovers !!
                                                     Fri, Sat, Sunday--haven't decided yet

ON MY 'TO-DO' LIST:  #1 is to take care of all these piles of fabric

WHAT I AM SEWING, CROCHETING, CRAFTING: Finishing a pet pad that I started several years ago. A sewing group I'm in has a challenge every month and the one for February is to make something for a child or a pet. Sorting through these boxes of fabric I cam across this nearly finished pad, so that will be my project.  It just needs some binding on it. Let's see, just HOW long did it take me to do the mitered corners on the Care Bear quilt?!  Maybe the dogs won't care if they are squared corners!! I need to get started on the next handmade birthday card. The DAY is rapidly approaching!

 HOMEMAKING TIPS: OK, confession time. I've stolen these ideas from Mary Hun'ts Everyday Cheapsake column.  Ladies, (men too) sneak out into the shop and borrow the parts cleaner to get grease stains out.This will work even if the item has been washed and dried! Makes sense doesn't it? It IS a grease remover.

And with tick season approaching here is another great tip. Soak a cotton ball in alcohol (rubbing alcohol, we don't want any drunk ticks crawling around!), place it on the tick and it will back out. Get it with a pair of tweezers and get rid of it however you prefer. She says it fairly quick and painless. Worth trying.

And my own tip-- The Three Rs--Reduce, Reuse, Recycle   Don't fill the landfills with things that are re-useable in some way.

Would someone mind coming over and putting this fabric away for me?  I want to curl up in this ultra soft throw and read my Kindle!!  And when you're finished with that I REALLY need a mani LOL

I haven't been listing my Thankies for awhile. It is important that we each do this, even just mentally, because it reminds us how loving and gracious our Creator is.
1. For the sacrifice of Jesus in giving up some of his divinity to effect salvation for each of us. It's our choice whether we accept it or not. A great read on this subject is, "Steps to Christ," by Ellen G White. It's a small but powerful little book. I have several paperback copies, if you would like one comment to me (I promise I won't publish it) with your name/address and I'll send you a copy.
2,  For this peaceful, lazy day. I worked really hard yesterday and deserve a day off. But I DO need to take care of this fabric that's staring at me, no I should say, GLARING at me.
3.  For this neat little propane fireplace that our son suggested to us when my furnace quit. I've got the dancing flames and it actually keeps the house warmer than the furnace did! We did have to invest in a dehumidifier though because the walls were wetter than the shower stall in the mornings.
4.  For Mary Kay Moisturizer...'nuff said on THAT subject !!
5.  For sunshine and all its healthful benefits

Till next time,

Grandma Shell

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

The weather:  It's hard to remember that it really is barely the middle of February! Avery beautiful sunny day without a cloud in the sky, albeit, it is a little on the chilly side. AND, very, very little breeze even. Which, I understand, is a rarity around here.
Right now I am: Taking a very long break. Hey, I got up at 5:30 and did a great deal of rearranging early this morning.
Thinking: I just LOVE this little spot where God transplanted me.  The only thing better would be the lovely LARGE home across the street. It's been :empty since last summer so maybe God is saving it for me. We are considering selling our property in Washington and making this our permanent home....we'll see how my nerves survive the tornado season, then I'll make the descision.
On my reading pile:  All my latest magazine subscriptions plus of course all my devotional books and my Bible.
On my TV:  Still no DISH receiver so nothing there except when I turn on the Wii.
Favorite blog post this week: Hoosier Homemade
Something fun to share:  Last night I was privileged to have my granddaughter read me her library book. She is an excellent little reader for a six  year old in first grade. Being a good reader is SO important. The Texas school system has Oregon beat hand's down!
On the menu for this week:  Angel Food Cake/Fresh Strawberries--oh, yum!
                                                 Homemade Hummus
                                                 maybe I'll try out this new oven and bake something. I'm not enthused   about using a gas oven. So anything I cook is done on the stovetop.
On my "To-Do" list: Do my outdoor chores that I haven't done yet.

What I am sewing, crocheting, crafting... Unfortunately I found my mending basket. More pants to shorten, skirts to shorten. I'd have quite a few clothes if they didn't all reside in the mending basket rather than the closet LOL If I set a goal to do just one piece a day it would soon be empty and I could do something fun. Also I bought a Big Shot die cutter. Now I need my Stampin' Up friend, Kat at Kat's Retirement Journey to teach me via email what to do with it! I would like to learn to make cards rather than buying them.
Homemaking Tips:  I enjoy making my own cleaning products. MUCH cheaper than store-bought and better for our health also.  I came across this recipe for the absolute best window cleaner.  I've only ever had one other window cleaner that got my windows spotless.  Here it is                    
                           2 cups very warm water
                           1/4 cup EACH rubbing alcohol and white vinegar
                           1 tablespoon blue Dawn dish detergent1
                           1 tablespoon cornstarch
     I mixed a little of the warm water into the cornstarch and then mixed all of the ingredients together and poured it into a large spray bottle.

Weather permitting I am attacking the grime on my windows from the road salt on the trip down here. The large back window isn't to the spotless point yet but a vast improvement...you can actually SEE the fence behind me LOL

And here's a nifty little thing I learned in the current issue of Reader's Digest.  If you need a separated egg and don't have an egg separator handy,use a pint size water bottle! Just squeeze it a bit to create suction and place it over the egg yolk, (you have  already broken the egg into a bowl when you discover you can't find the separator.) Wah-la! The yolk gets sucked into the bottle but not the white. Now why didn't I think of that?
Looking around the house:  I see a few things that need to be put away but generally it's neat and tidy.
From the camera  I've been too busy with other things and have been neglecting my wonderful camera. That;s going on my to-do list!

 On my prayer list: my friend, my cousin that had a heart attack a week ago, God's leading in my life.

Bible verse; Devotional  "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might, Ecclesialstes 9:10. Also, "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God," 1Corinbthians 10:31  These two verses
 come to mind when I'm tempted to let a less than desirable sewing pass as ok.

So that's how my day has been. Hope yours has been wonderful also. Remember, even if things aren't perfect we can still find peace and contentment. It's all a state of mind. There is a song called, "Day Is Dying In The West," and I'm watching the very last tiny bit of light off to the west.

I'm really missing my piano. I love my RV living but we DO need to find a house (like the one across the street, maybe). My sister-in-law is storing my nice piano but I have my other one, or if we got a house I'd trade with her!

Have an awesome day!

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm making up for lost time !

Today is Happy Homemaker Monday so here goes:

The weather:  Warm, sunny and breezy.  It's 71* with a 25 mph "breeze."

Right now I am:  Writing this post!!

Thinking:  I SHOULD be working on my sewing project for the week...shortening those jeans.

On my reading pile:  The new issues of "Better Homes & Gardens."

On my TV:  Nothing...see previous post.

Favorite blog post this week: Kat's Retirement Journey

Something fun to share:  My Grandson always wants to go walking if it's a warm day.  We have really good times on our walks.  His sister is a true alley cat...she loves to walk the alleys! You can get a different perspective on the type of people that live there by looking at their backyards! So keep your back yard neat and tidy too...you never know when the Alley Cats might walk past!
 

On the menu for this week: Cleaning out the fridge leftovers


On my "To-Do" list:  Take care of papers to be filed, shorten jeans, make a batch of "Same-As- Bisquick."

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting, crafting.... Sewing machine cover, shorten jeans, card

Homemaking Tips: Fill the sink with water and dish soap when you're cooking and wash those utensils as you are          finished with them. When you are finished there's no mess to deal with.

Looking around the house: I see Daisy, my Mini Doxie, asleep in "her" chair.

From the camera:  nothing this week

On my prayer list:  A very special friend that is battling cancer, my family, the political situation.

Bible verse; Devotional My all-time favorite Bible text is Isaiah 65:24, "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

Greetings!

I FINALLY made it to Texas! Just before Thanksgiving.  It has taken me awhile to get settled and get my own internet, no TV yet but at least I have internet!!

Back in August when I was down here my granddaughter asked me if I'd make her a Care Bear quilt. Things got put on hold when I decided to move, and then the settling in. She asked if I could PLEASE have it done by Christmas. I was just using one of those quilted panels for the center and putting border strips around that.  I thought a few days...um-hmm...I have been working steadily on it, with a day off here and there. It was finished this past week! I hadn't done mitered corners for so long, I was having to re-think just how to do one.When it finally all came back to me I made a small sample and put it in my Tips & Tricks book for future reference.

Here is the finished quilt!

I thought I'd taken some photos of the beautiful sunrises we've enjoyed here but evidentialy not.  I didn't find them.  I'll remedy that situation!


 My 1/2 Dozen Daily     

has a Sunday Night Chit-Chat. These are the questions asked each week. Join the fun! In my comments post a link to your blog and let me know.  I'll come visit your page and leave a comment.


What I'm doing: (what I was doing last night)

• Reading--My Bible
• Watching--nothing, my TV isn't hooked up yet
• Listening to--neighborhood dogs barking
• Baking/Cooking--does a pot of coffee count?
• Happy you accomplished this week--finished THE QUILT !!
• Looking forward to next week--getting my jeans/pants shortened so I don't walk on them
• Thankful for today--sunshine and warmth...it's 30s and snow in WA..70 here in TX
• *BONUS QUESTION* What chore around the house do you dread doing the most
  It used to be cleaning the fridge (that was my punishment as a teenager.  The dislike still lingers.)  I can't really think of anything other than changing the sheets. With my present situation it is very difficult.  Don't ask, it's a LONG story!)
  
  
  Glad to be back online at last!