What the heck, where has the time gone!!

I can't believe we are already into the second half of the second month of 2011!! And even more surprising I've only posted one time in January!! What the heck!! I know I've been working on projects..but I just forget to take pictures...and sit down and get them onto my blog...soooo here's what I've done so far in 2011...(keep in mind, these are just the projects I remembered to take pictures of)...These pictures are in no special order...point being, I just stuck them in so you can see a little about my life. Two of these projects have been things I've never done before!! so lets get moving and do my show and tell!! #1 This is my first Apple Tart I've ever made and I used my home canned apple pie filling (first time to have ever canned apple for pie filling) Boy, all I can say is they were/are sure good...After serving this tart to my friends I have had a couple of requests to make it again..so guess you could say it was a hit....

#2 Double weddng ring quilt...First time to make a quilt and use my sewing maching to quilt it....now if you look closely you will see I have crochet thread..well, here's the story behind that...I was going to quilt by hand and use the crochet thread it's a little heavier thread..however, my hand freezes up making it hard to work the needle as I'm quilting making my stitches uneven...so I decided it was taking too long and I took out all my stitching (call that reverse sewing) and went to my sewing maching...Now I'm working hard to keep the circles looking like circles as I sew this quilt...


It's a challenge to sew...but it's coming along...I'll keep this quilt for myself as I have too many 'mistakes' (I'm naming it 'MY Pucker Quilt') It's good practice for me...but (and there is always a 'BUT') maybe I shouldn't have taken on a queen size quilt for my first machine quilt project....will I ever learn...it's good to practice on something smaller to get the experience first...Next time it will be better!!!

"My Van" Now this isn't my first...but just thought I'd show you how my 2011 started out...January 3, we had some icy roads and we were on the way to the doctors and stopped at a stop sign..the guy behind us forgot that he needed to apply his brakes long before he stopped when there are icy roads...Our van ended with a owie!!! I was surprised as to the amount of damage our van ended up with. They had to replace our complete tailgate door and bumper...what looks like a little owie...was expenive!!! no cost to us however, and no one was hurt...the young man felt so bad..and just kept thanking us for not yelling at him...Kindness goes

a long ways!!!

Okay, you have now been brought up to date with the happenings in the last 45 days of my life.. I sure hope to do better in the future...and keep up to date with my postings. take care and check back in maybe a week or so, I'll have more to post...I will try to do better..I promise!!!

I love themes, so my new theme for 2011 ~ 'A project is just a project until it's completed'

New Year, New Look

Phase 1: A New Year, A New Look!! Got all my Christmas decorations down. Now I've been looking at my blank walls/shelves........I decided I needed to recycle some of my decorations...So come take a walk with me as I show you the change I made on my Entry hall wall...This is where I started...I've always loved this picture I've had of Christ but I've never cared for the frame...I thought what a good time to change it....so here's where I started....

The picture I had on my wall in my kitchen/dining area was of a pretty flower arrangement, and I really loved the frame, picture not so much...so I spent the morning trying to get the picture out of the frame (and it was a task, I tell ya!!). This frame was much bigger and looked better on the entry wall...at least that was what I thought in my minds eye...Okay this is the new mat I placed over the old one...adding to the look....So far I like the look....continuing on.....

this is the finished product on my wall... What do you think?? The table I've always had in my entry...however, I changed what was on top of it...I think it looks much better and fresher...Love the picture on the wall...I think this frame is so much prettier...Now I have to rethink the kitchen/dining area wall and get rid of the floral arrangement that has been on that wall way too long!! that is still in progress..tomorrow I'll try and work on my living room shelves but I need to sit back and think about it...don't know just yet what the look is I want...but I'm sure I can once again recycle some of my decorations...I'm trying two new things this year...reminding myself to: 1. take pictures BEFORE I start my projects and 2. not spend money but instead recycle my decorations....So hang in there more pictures will be coming when phase 2 is completed.....I'll go right now and get some pictures of my living room and shelves while their empty... promise!!!! Til then...keep smiling and come back and visit anytime...

Winter Snow Storm

The weatherman said last night, we would be waking up to some white stuff....And he was sure right...all day long!! Love it!!

If you have never seen or been inside looking out at the winter wonderland and feeling the peace and quietness of a Winter Snow Storm, then you don't know what you are missing! The untouched snow..no footprints, no snowblowers clearing the snow off the driveway...just soft white flakes coming down and piling up in my yard!! It will never stay this white..as the days pass it will turn brown...and dirty...so it's important to enjoy beauty while it last...

On a snowy day when I was growing up my mother would bake bread (in fact she did that regardless of the weather). So on this snowy day I did the same...Honey Wheat Bread...Only one loaf as there is only two of us and I like to keep my bread as fresh as I can..so one loaf a time until gone before another one gets baked.

Lunch time always brought homemade soups or beans. I can still smell the bread baking and the soup/beans cooking...It is such a loving smell...I could not help myself... I had to make hot baked potato soup and had to finish up the fresh roll..this was our lunch. baked potatoes, cheese and bacon soup. My kind of love!!

This is the late afternoon still the driveway hasn't been touched...no prints, no sound, the winter snow storm still at it's best...and another memory for 2010. One of the best!

A Tile For Sydney

My granddaughter, Sydney, turned 12 in June and is now in the Young Women's Program. I thought it would be fun for her to have a tile with the Yound Women values in her room. This is what I came up with. A way for her to remember each of the values.

Guess What?

I've been featured over at Cottage instincts. If you have a chance go take a look!!!

Another Bedroom Done

The seasons have changed, fall is in the air, all the vegetables are off their vines and canned or frozen and winter is not far off! the frost is on the pumpkins. My projects are put on hold for a little while. I had to have foot surgery and yes, my foot surgery has laid up for a few weeks, can't be on my foot at all. So I sit in my chair in the living room and think of all the projects I still want to do. I still have my master bedroom to tackle, I would have liked to have it done before our daughter, Margo and her family come for Thanksgiving. But, I know that project is going to have to wait for another season, like spring! No one is going to be allowed in that room until I get it done. Anyway, so much for being laid up and back to one of my last projects before my surgery....Another bedroom I did get finished...Here goes...take a tour with me and let me know that you think. I visited Hobby Lobby with a friend, a brand new Hobby Lobby no less...love, love, love it!!!!anyway I found this really cute lamp, which I knew I had to have!! (the start of re-creating my bedroom)


My pretty lamp!!

Next I found this sign...(of course still Hobby Lobby)don't know why I like this sign so much, but I had just the spot for it, above the mirror on one of the walls!

See what I mean! just the perfect spot for the sign!! looking at this picture I think I need to get some kind of dresser or something better to go under the mirror...I have my cedar chest under it now! any suggestions?

Next I took a bunch of old frames I had, all different shapes and sizes (my daughters' idea) painted them and hung them over the bed!! I really like the look!

So now this bedroom is all cleaned up the trim is all pretty and white! and the room is pale yellow! very refreshing and welcoming! I love this room!

Now that I'm laid up I'm going to go through all my favorite recipes and put them on my computer and clean up my recipes cupboard..it really really needs it!!!!