~Herbs~

I enjoyed my herb garden from last year, and knew I would be planting another this year!

From left to right:
chive, cilantro, basil, oregano, thyme


I have dill as well, but I'll be planting that in the garden, not in a container. I planted these on Monday along with all my other plants, and everything is just taking off so well!

~Natural Hummingbird Nectar~

Since several people have commented on my natural nectar I'm using for my hummingbird feeder, I thought I would do a post on it.

I always felt guilty when I put out the hummingbird feeder with its thick, sugary syrup, reasoning that refined sugar was probably not the best for them. So this year, as I was buying my hummingbird feeder, I saw the nectar the store had for sale. I’ve seen it in the past, but thought, “Who would buy nectar when they can make it themselves?” I thought it was largely a convenience item. While some of the prepared nectars are just sugar and water and dye (and thereby a convenience), the others are made with natural ingredients. The nectar I purchased is even naturally dyed with hibiscus flowers. It makes me happy that my hummingbirds can be health food nuts. LOL If the label on the bottle can be trusted, the hummingbirds will actually prefer my feeder to the neighbor’s sugar-laden nectar. We’ll see! I only filled the hummingbird feeder half way, since I'm not sure that the hummingbirds have made it to our region yet.

~Waves~

A new flower for me this year, wave petunias:



Pink in the back, purple in the front. This side of the house gets too much sun for impatiens, so I found something different that liked sun. I hope they do well!

I've been moving along the waves of my afghan, and still enjoying it.

~Red~

Today has had a lot of red in it!

As I was preparing my flower bed, I looked up and noticed that my tea and the hummingbird nectar were about the same shade. I have decided to feed my hummingbirds the healthy way this year, and the nectar is all natural, colored with hibiscus flowers. My tea also has hibiscus in it!



I planted my red impatiens, which match the red begonia hanging baskets.



And our front and back doors are getting painted a lovely shade of red.

~Stuff~

When I did my shopping last week, I bought a hummingbird feeder. I filled it and hung it outside. The next day when we came home from work, I noticed that the feeder was empty. I didn't suspect that we had had a swarm of hummingbirds around the feeder all day long! The feeder had dripped nectar all over my front porch! Today I took it back to the store, and guess what? The lady in line next to me was returning the exact feeder as I, and she had the same problem too! Today I bought a different feeder, we'll see how this one fares!

I have Monday off from work, and I plan on doing a LOT of yard work! I hope the weather is nice for me! I can't wait to get all my plants in the ground. I also bought some seeds for my garden: carrots, scallions, spinach, green beans, snap peas, and radishes. I want to have a greater variety of produce than last year. Off and on we see a rabbit in our back yard, so I hope that these doesn't attract him!

We saw a goldfinch in our front yard, perched and singing away. Oh, I just love goldfinches! While I was shopping this week, I saw a goldfinch feeder that is made for goldfinches only: the perches are such that they have to feed upside down. I want to get this and see if it really will be for goldfinches only!

Thanks for reading, and have a happy Saturday!

~Oh, so very sad!~

I just got an e-mail from my LYS (Local Yarn Shop) that they are closing. CLOSING??? Why, oh why? I need them! This yarn shop is my favorite! I have searched out all the yarn shops in my area, and this one, while they may not have all the newest, most popular yarns, is very sensible. They have yarn for most any project one could dream up. I was just in there on Saturday with my mother-in-law, and they didn't give a hint about their store closing. What I really can't believe is how quickly they will be shutting down - their last open date is June 2. That's only eight days away!!!

*****WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH*****

(BIG, big tears!!!)

~Grand Canyon Skywalk~

Original Rendering of Project

Not worrying about the cost, would you walk out on the Skywalk?

But really, nothing is free. So would you pay $75* a person to go on the Skywalk if you were willing to walk out there?



My thoughts: I would probably not be very comfortable out there, but I might just do it, knowing that it is structurally sound. (On second thought, the more I look at pictures online, the sicker my stomach is getting! LOL) However, there’s no way I’d do it if I had to pay that much for it!

Here’s another website with pictures: click here.

*In my search I came across a blog entry detailing the blogger’s trip to the Skywalk. According to this person, there is a $25 per person ticket cost, plus an additional $50 park entrance fee per person. You may read the blog entry here, but please note that I am not endorsing their blog, and there is some language content in the post and following comments. Also, they weren’t allowed to take their camera on the Skywalk. You’re going to pay $75 a person, and you can’t take pictures of your experience???

~From My Mother's Heart:Been There, Done That~

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5)

Whole books have been written on these verses, so obviously a little ditty on a blog is not going to do them justice, but I would just like to give you a few thoughts about them to think on for a moment.

Who is this “Titus 2 Woman,” as we call her? If you go out seeking a perfect older woman with all of the answers and all of her ducks in a row, you will probably go home disappointed. The woman in this passage is not a perfect woman. She has struggles, disappointments, and bad days just like you. She can be of help to you, not because she has never stumbled and fallen, but because she has.

You’ve heard the saying, “Been there, done that, and got the T-shirt.” Well, she has a whole dresser drawer full of T-shirts from all of her life experiences. If she hasn’t personally experienced what you are presently going through, she has been around long enough to have observed someone else that is going through just what you are. She may know of a Bible passage that can help you. She has dealt with trials in a right way, and in a wrong way, and the older she gets the more storage space she needs for all of those T-shirts.

As a young Christian woman, it would be prudent to be seeking the friendship of older Christian women, and you should be becoming a woman yourself, that is able to help and encourage women coming along behind you.

So, who needs mature, godly Christian women in their lives? I think we all do. And who should be striving to be a godly Christian woman that is able to be a blessing and encouragement to other women? Again, I believe that would be all of us.

Perhaps you’ve been wondering why you have so many seemingly useless T-shirts all over the place. Well, now you know. Don’t toss them aside; carefully fold them, store them, and be a blessing to someone else when they need to hear about them.

Written by my mother, Mrs. H.

~Blue Bag~

My latest sewing project:

~Mindless Eating~

As I read blogs, I come across books that sound interesting. If a book sounds like a good read, I put it on my hold list on my library card. Usually, by the time I check the book out, I’ve forgotten where I saw the book (and sometimes why I even wanted to read the book. LOL) Mindless Eating: Why we Eat More Than We Think by Brian Wansink is such a book. I have no idea who recommended this book, but I’m glad I put it on my hold list!


Mindless Eating was a very fascinating read. It is outside my usual realm of reading material (which incidentally means I can cross off another item of my 101 List!) It is not only fascinating, but often humorous, as the author shows eating patterns and behaviors of humans. It is worth the read, and I’m sure if you do read it, you’ll change a few of your own habits, as I have mine.

There is an article here which is a fun read, but if you have the time to read a whole book, I suggest the book! =)

Click image for information on book.

~In lieu of a "real" post...~

I've seen this on several knitting blogs I frequent, and it looked like fun to do!

~My Knitting Experience~

Bold and with an asterisksfor stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing. (I added an asterisks to my listed items because bolded text doesn't show up that well with my blog template.)

Afghan (someday...perhaps!)
I-cord
*Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire (why?)
Shawl
*Stockinette stitch
*Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
*Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
*Participating in a KAL
Sweater (technically, I'm working on this one)
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
*Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with bananafiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)(Never heard of it!)
Twisted stitch patterns
*Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
*Knitting with circular needles
Baby items (I have the yarn/pattern all set for a baby gift!)
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
vContinental knitting (I have given it a try, and could do it if I had to.)
Designing knitted garments
*Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
*Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
*Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
*American/English knitting (as opposed to continental) (My preferred method of knitting)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca (I even have the yarn in my stash!)
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colours
Knitting items for a wedding
*Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone elses handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit (Kevin won't let me teach him! ;-) LOL!)
Bobbles
Knitting for a living (No way...are you kidding? Then knitting would move from relaxing fun to WORK!)
*Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
*Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
*Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
*Swatching (Not my favorite thing to do!)
Long Tail CO
*Entrelac Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
*Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
*Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
*Knitting for preemies (I'd like to do more of this.)
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
*Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers
Pillows
*Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
*Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair (EWWW GROSS!!!)
*Hair accessories (My very first knitting project was a pink headband!)
*Knitting in public

If you are a knitter, and participate, leave me a comment so I can read your list!

~In action~

My in-laws are here visiting for a few days. My father-in-law has a fancy-dancy camera, the type that dreams are made of. Anyhow, he shot several pictures tonight, including these:





I am fascinated by photography and paintings that depict the hands in motion, perhaps that is why I am so enamored with the painting in my blog header! It is quite an interesting study to see the different positions of my fingers in action!

~I won!~

I was so excited today when I read on Laura’s blog that I have won the first place for the organizing challenge in the small spaces category! How exciting! The prize is $30. Now who wouldn’t be happy with that? *grin*

My closet is still neatly organized. It should stay organized for quite a long while too. I have been very careful to put things away in the right place each and every time. I can’t say how wonderfully nice it is that when I need something, I only have to pull ONE bin out or ONE box out. It has been so nice!

I am planning on using my prize money for what else other than yarn?! My afghan is a wool-eating monster! ;-)

~Tammy Needs~

Yes, another meme. I remember seeing this meme float around when I first started blogging, but I didn't participate in it.

The object is to Google your name with "needs" and see what comes up. Apparently, I need:
***constant care (ROFL)
***your prayers and good wishes
***more opportunities to be creative (that would be nice!)
***Your Help Now
***all information by January 5th, 2003 (hurry up and get it to me! LOL)
***to see Sarah!
***to balance out
***our help to get healthy again
***lots of room to play and will stay in a yard with only a three foot ... (Who names their dog "Tammy"? LOL)

I couldn't resist posting this:
"It's always what Tammy needs. What about what Lizzie needs?"

Yes, I say, what about what Lizzie needs?

Sorry, Lizzie, this is my blog. You can do your own meme on your own blog! ;-)

~Ripple Fun~

The ripple afghan is still calling to me each time I sit down. Crocheting uses different muscles than knitting, and my hands are not used to crocheting so much. I think I would have much more done if it weren't for this fact. But that's ok...slow and steady is good!

~Spring Flowers~

When the danger of frost is over, all these flowers will be going into the ground:



I wasn't going to get hanging baskets this year, but I couldn't resist the beauty of these begonias:



Oh, I can't wait to get these planted!!!

~Fabulous Fabric~

A little over a month ago, I was hopping about blogs, and came across Sew, Mama, Sew. It is a fun blog with lots of sewing inspiration. And a "Free Fabric Friday" every single week. I actually won fabric a few weeks ago!

Four gorgeous fat quarters, just waiting for me to do something with them:




Any ideas? I've never bought or used fat quarters before. Not that I haven't used scraps...but I do not want to waste an inch of this fabric!

~Lilacs and Tulips~

A little glimpse in my back yard:

~Much better now~

Thank you, everyone, for your kind well wishes and prayers! It was sweet of you to leave the comments. Kevin and I are feeling much better now. We still aren’t 100%, but we’re well on our way! It is nice to feel alive again!

While I’m thanking everyone, I just want to say how much small gestures can mean to those around you. Around the beginning of the year, someone sent me a package of hazelnut chocolate tea. Oh my! I didn’t even know tea came in chocolate! =) The package came at a time when I was really discouraged, and it brightened my day so much! Every time I sipped a cup of that tea, I was reminded how someone was thinking of me! And then just recently, that same person sent me a get well e-card. Again, I was discouraged, and it cheered me up so much. So don’t wait to do the “big” things, and miss out on doing the “little” things for those you love and care for! I certainly need to remember this and practice it!

~A-a-a-choo!~

Just popping on the computer to say a quick "howdy". Kevin and I have been battling a cold/flu virus. It hasn't been fun, and I'm super glad that viruses of the human sort can't be "shared" via the internet, because this is one thing that I don't want to share with anyone!

I've practically lived on the couch since I got home from work Friday night. I think that I'm getting better now. The good news is that I have worked on my afghan some. LOL I'd rather be well.

To think I managed to survive all winter long without getting dreadfully ill! There was all kinds of stuff getting passed around at church, and we pretty much avoided it all. I have no idea where we caught our current bug from!

I'm thankful for Halls and Robitussin! Stay well this spring, it's no fun to be sick when the flowers are blooming and the weather is nice!

~Beautiful evening~

So lovely to sit out on the porch and enjoy the tulips



and my crocheting!

~Yum-o~

Every time I've tried one of Rachel Ray's recipes, I am not disappointed!

Tonight I made Spaghetti con Aglio e Olio with Tomato and Onion Salad. (I was sweet and found the recipe for you! ;-) ). I used plain anchovies and added crushed red peppers.

The book says this:

If you think you don't like anchovies, you're wrong. The anchovies will melt into the oil and break up completely. Help break them up with a wooden spoon as they cook. Once they melt into oil, the anchovies will no longer taste like fish, but like salted, toasted nuts in garlic oil.

The tomato and onion salad is as follows:
1 fistful parsley (I see now that the recipe calls for flat-leaf, and I used regular parsley. Oh well!)
4 tomatoes, chopped
1 small white or yellow onion, quartered and sliced thinly

Mix all together and drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

I also served crusty bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It was a great meal...and it only took me 35 minutes start to finish! It had a "fancy" air to it, like something you would pay a lot of money for at an Italian restaurant, and it really didn't cost that much to make!

~Sewing Room Closet~

Well, *sigh* this has been a one different month for me. I was going to organize my whole sewing room, but I just got to the closet and my sewing cabinet. Thankfully there are two categories for Laura's organizing challenge! I'm entering in the small spaces category!

The closet, before:



At first glance, it might look neat, but it was always a disaster waiting to happen. Whenever I needed something from or near the bottom, everything had to come out of that closet!

My plans for it:


I can't tell you how happy I was to sit down and draw up a plan and have it work so well! It made the whole process so much easier, because I knew beforehand where things were going to go!

After:



My sewing drawers (I didn't take before pictures, but I got things corralled in baskets and it is easier to put things away now!):





I spent $38 on this project, which was for the materials needed for added shelving in the closet, and paint for the closet. I chose from my store of baskets and containers. More things fit into the closet than I had in there before, which was exciting to me, because I had several large things out in the room that had no place before this re-do.

To answer some questions Laura posed:

1. What was the hardest part of the challenge for you and were you able to overcome it?
Getting through everything I had squirreled away! I know that my sewing room wouldn't cause stash envy with anyone (!) but I still had too much for *myself*.

2. Tell us what kind of changes/habits you have put into place in order for your area/room to maintain its new order?
I have done a sewing project since organizing my closet and sewing cabinet. It was so nice to pull out a box with lace in it, and know that *all* my lace was in that box, etc. So when I was all through with the project, I made sure to put everything back away, and it made me feel so good to know that next time I want to sew, everything will be in its place!

3. What did you do with the "stuff" you were able to purge out of your newly organized space?
It is waiting in the basement to be taken to the thrift store. I would have taken it sooner, but I expect to find more things to donate, and I only want to take one trip!

4. What was the biggest lesson you learned from this experience?
STACKS of things do not work! Well, I already knew that, but I just kept trying to make it work! However, I think the biggest thing for me was to give myself parameters. Having a box/container, and making myself only keep that which would fit inside it really helped clear out some clutter.

5. Now that you have completed the PROCESS, do you think having and keeping your space organized will make a difference in your life?
Most definitely! It is so much easier to sew now that I know where everything is! I will be applying the organizing skills to other rooms of my house too!

Links to previous posts:
First post
Closet plans
Finished Closet
Thoughts on organizing

Visit Laura's blog here for the small spaces category, and here for the whole room category.

7 Meme

I've been tagged by Mrs. U!

So now I need to supply my blog readers with seven random facts regarding myself.

1. I do not like even remotely scary movies. I hid my face repeatedly while watching Arsenic and Old Lace, a comedy, for crying out loud!
2. I'm totally paranoid about spiders!
3. My youngest sister is 21 years younger than me, and we both have the same set of parents (and seven siblings between us).
4. I'd rather sew button holes than sew in a zipper...I can never get things to line up properly when I'm putting in a zipper!
5. I love chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream!
6. I like most fruits except for raw papaya.
7. I do not like bananas, almonds, or peanut butter in desserts.

There you have it! Have a great day, and if you'd like to do this on your own blog, or for that matter, in the comments of this post, go right ahead!