Valspar Tree

Today's walk afforded me a view of a tree that looks like it could be in a Valspar paint commercial.

Lightening Bug in a Jar

~Tuesday~

I don't know what it is, but I just don't like starting dinner in the crockpot. Mind you, I sure like having dinner ready 6-8 hours later! Last night I soaked beans, so I pretty much had to get my meal started this morning. I made White Chili in the Crock. Yummy. I've made this recipe many times, except I have always used canned beans and cooked it on the stove. So much cheaper using dried beans, and just as tasty! I used chicken, not turkey, which is usually how I make it.

One nice thing about throwing dinner in the crockpot is that you can go away and not worry about being home in time to cook dinner. I went to the mall, where I scored a great deal on an outfit at Christopher and Banks. The saleslady helped me a few weeks ago, and today she actually put together an outfit for me to try. I wasn't sure about it, but I tried it on and what do you know? It fit me and looks nice! I sure hope she's there next time I'm shopping!



Tonight I took time and weeded my flower beds. Such a lot of weeds! Why, oh why did Eve have to eat that fruit???

Here is the side flower bed:


I have a miniature bleeding heart, and it is doing really well this year:


Regular bleeding hearts only bloom at the beginning of spring, but this plant blooms from spring to fall. It didn't do very well last year, but this year has been cooler and I've given it more water.

All in all, I had a great Tuesday! I hope you did too! :-)

Time to Weed!

~Summer~

After the rain:


Hello! Wishing happy summer thoughts to everyone! I've been enjoying my walks, fresh fruit (cherries! blueberries! Yum!), and the summery weather.

I started a new blog. We'll see how it goes! It's called Point & Shoot: 365. The idea is to take a picture every day. I know that I often post pictures here, but my thought in starting a dedicated blog for this project was that it would be pictures with few words. I tend to be wordy sometimes, but this blog will help me let the pictures do the talking. You know, the old cliche, "A picture is worth a thousand words". =)

Around the house, I've been trying new recipes, (mostly) keeping up with the dishes and laundry, and not doing nearly enough housework! LOL Summer is just slipping away so fast!

Patriotism

I've been walking every day, and keep noticing how many of my neighbors have flags.

Late-night Bible Reading

I'm currently reading through my Bible in 90 days. It has been both a challenge and a great blessing.

Laundry Day

~From my Garden~

I don't have a lot of flowers this year, but I'm pleased with what I do have. My flower basket on the front porch is growing quite well. I planted geraniums along with the spiky plant (I'm sure that's not horticulturally correct, but it didn't come with an identification tag!), and vinca vine.


My echinacea plant is blooming like crazy.


I lost a few of my perennials over the winter, and I haven't gotten those replaced yet. Maybe this fall. I had high hopes of a veggie garden this year, but it just didn't get done. Maybe next year!

~Keep a song in your heart~

Today's been a cheerful day!

~Walking~

This month has been perfect weather for walking. Our July has been nice and cool this year!

Crocs on a walk:


And I have an adorable little walking companion. :) The Baby loves to go for walks. I purchased an Emmaljunga stroller off Craiglist. The stroller system has been perfect for neighborhood walks, but it is a little cumbersome for trying to pack in the car. So I got a cheap stroller from a yard sale to keep in the car.

This is the Emmaljunga. The bassinet and stroller seat come off the base:




(pictures from the listing on Craiglist)

Emmaljunga does not sell (or ship) their strollers in the USA. So you have to either buy them while abroad or know someone abroad who can ship them to you. This particular stroller is about 14 years old. The couple we bought it from purchased it for $300. I don't know what they would cost new now!

I do know that this stroller does something to my little vintage-loving heart. ;-) It may not always be the most practical of strollers for our American lifestyle, but it is sure cute! And it makes my walks a little more fun!

Ozzy was here

Carved into a picnic table at a park.

~Stuff~

Two little bits of business, then back to my "regularly" scheduled posts. Not that they've been super regular or anything. But you get the idea!

First up: have you heard of Swagbucks? It is a search engine that randomly generates Swag Bucks in your account, and then you can turn them into gift cards or items. I've been searching with Swagbucks for a little bit now, and I recently had enough to buy a $5 Amazon.com card. If you'd like to give it a try, just click the "Search. Earn. Redeem." button to the right: ------> You'll automatically get 3 Swag Bucks to begin with, and for the first 100 that you get, I'll get them too. Sounds a little greedy, but you can turn around and beg ask your friends to sign up under you. There's nothing to lose!

And lastly: I just activated some items in my Etsy shop. I sewed these eons ago, so if you've been following my blog for a while, you'll recognize them right away. These are just taking up space in my closet so I slashed the prices drastically. So drastically, that I'm really just recovering the cost of materials!

Now back to our regularly scheduled blogging! *Smiles*

~Just in the Nick of Time!~

Just in time for cold weather, and curling up under a cozy blanket with a good book:


These socks are actually a project I started last September. I promptly finished one sock and somehow the other one never got started. (Talk about major SSS!)



So last night I picked up my needles and knit the other sock. I estimate that each sock took approximately 2 hours.

Pattern: Socks 101 from Knitalong by Larissa Brown
Yarn: Marr Haven Organic Mule Spun Worsted
Needles: Size 10 DPN's

Anything is fast when you're knitting on size 10 needles! When I went to buy the needles (which I had a hard time finding! Most projects don't require size 10 DPN's) the lady at the knitting store asked me what I was making.

"A pair of socks"
"I’ve never seen a sock pattern that called for size 10 needles."
"Yes, it is in a book called Knitalong."
"I’ve never seen a sock pattern that called for size 10 needles."

LOL Thankfully she let me buy the needles even though I'm sure she doubted that I needed size 10 needles.

~Ducklings~

There is a very soft place in my heart for ducks. I *heart* ducks!

We saw this mama duck with her half-grown ducklings:



And while we were watching these, a man walked by and said that there was a mama duck with teeny ducklings on the other side of the pond. So of course we had to go check them out.

It was harder to get a picture because the mama took off with her babies.


Ducks are just so adorable. Full of personality. And fun to play with, if they are pets, that is. My sisters and I had ducklings for pets once upon a time. I named one Tammy (of course, a very natural name for a duckling!) and then later, I had to change his name to Tommy. Ah, what fun we had with our ducklings!

~Lemon-Herb Chicken Salad~

This recipe is fantastic! The yogurt in the dressing makes this salad light and refreshing.

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced {I used canned chicken}
1/4 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. yogurt
1 T. fresh dill, chopped
2 t. lemon juice
1/2 t. lemon zest
1/4 t. salt

Place chicken in a serving bowl; set aside. Combine remaining ingredients; mix well and toss with chicken. Chill before serving. Serves 4 to 6.

(from Gooseberry Patch's One-Pot Meals, page 160)

I ate this for lunch, with some whole-grain tortilla chips, because that is what I had on hand. It would be great with croissants, crackers, or as a sandwich spread. This recipe was just too yummy to not share!

~Why, Hello!~

I forget I have a blog sometimes! *grin*

I hope my American bloggy-friends had a great Independence Day!

Kevin had Friday off and he used it to paint our room. I'm really excited about the paint colors we chose. We got really brave and painted a red accent wall, and the other walls tan. It looks so pretty! On Saturday, I did the finish work around the ceiling and by the accent wall. Kevin is also redoing the trimwork in our room (the previous owner was not so great with woodwork, and he installed it all in the bedroom). Kevin is going to have to borrow a nail gun in order to get the trimwork installed, so it will be a little bit before he gets the room completely finished.

Here's a picture (with a flash) to give you a bit of an idea of the paint colors:


When we get everything completely finished I'll post more pictures.

I just wanted to pop on and say "hello". Have a great day!

~Sewing Machine Meme~

What brand and model do you have?
A Singer 500A Slant-O-Matic

How long have you had it?
For nearly 9 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
It is an old machine - and it was given to me, so I'm not sure what it would cost to get one identical to this one.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Whatever strikes my fancy! Clothing, handbags, craft projects, etc.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
My sewing goes in spurts. Right now I'm sewing quite a bit.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I love my little sewing machine! It is fun to have an old machine, but on the other hand I'd really like to have a newer machine with more "bells and whistles".

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
It has special stitches, but I don't tend to use those. I basically use the straight stitch, zig-zag stitch, and buttonhole attachment.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
I took it to a machine repair shop to get "maintenance" and they messed up the timing. I still need to get that fixed (I'll use a different machine repair shop!)

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
It was given to me by a long-time friend of my mother-in-law. We drove from California up to Washington to get it! On the way home, Kevin's truck hit 100,000 miles. We have a picture to prove it! :)

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
This machine is very sturdy and a great workhorse. If I were looking for a machine, I would probably buy new. But overall, I've been very happy with this machine!

~Confession Time~

Confession time: I don't do windows. Not because I have an attitude about it. Just because....hmmm, I'm not really sure why. Part of it is procrastination (I'll do it next week) and part of it is perfectionism (if it can't be done perfectly, why do it at all). The sin of perfectionism doesn't always mean that your house is spotless!

So anyhow. We've lived in our house for nearly 4 years. And I've washed the windows maybe two or at the most, three times. *Blush*

Yesterday I set out to wash my front window. Not the whole house. Not the whole front of the house. Just the living room window. I needed a starting point! Because I bought a junky, store-brand knock-off of "Windex" I didn't have anything suitable for actually doing the job.

So I looked in an old magazine I had and found a solution for window cleaner:

2 quarts water
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
1/2 teaspoon dish soap (ultra concentrated such as Joy)

You can either put this in a bucket and apply with a rag, or put the solution in a spray bottle.

It did the job rather nicely. While I was working it dawned on me that I could have used white vinegar instead of the rubbing alcohol for a "greener" cleaner. Well, I'll try that next time.

And now, since I'm such the expert on cleaning windows, I'll give you some tips:

• Look at the window (or mirror) at a 45% angle instead of straight at it. You'll be able to see the streaks.
• Streaks are caused if you leave any moisture on the window. Make sure to rub the window completely dry.
• I didn't do this, but I should have - on the outside move the rag up and down, and on the inside of the window, go back and forth. Then if you see a streak, you'll know which side it is on.

There you have it! I'm looking out my (mostly) streak-free window, enjoying my pretty flowers that are on the front porch!

I need to do my windows more often!

Something cute: it was hot and muggy out yesterday, and when I was hosing off the window screens, I saw two boys walk by. Soon I heard, "Excuse me, Miss. Could you spray me?" I laughed and adjusted the nozzle to a gentler water stream and the little boy walked into the spray, spread his arms out and said, "ahhhhhh". *Smiles* I was tempted to spray myself! It looked really refreshing!

~Wednesday~

Just a few pictures...

My Crocs drying in the sun after my yardwork:


"Welcome" to my home! My mom made this for me when I was first married. My decorating style has changed a little, but I thought this would be perfect by the front door. I hung it with a Command hook - no need to pound a nail through the siding!


A jean quilt waiting to have the backing sewn, and then tied (probably won't happen today though!):

~Ottobre Sewing~

I'm pleased to show you my first outfit using Ottobre patterns!

Both are from the 3/2009 issue, and I made them in size 68. They are a bit big on The Baby, but that's ok. She's growing constantly! :-)

The Toffee Tunic:


and Hennina Pants:


The frill on the pant leg:


I bought the fabric from a local store. I was disappointed to see that their selection of fabric has dwindled. I guess the economy is hitting them too. I found the fabric for the top right away, but they didn't have any coordinating prints for it. I looked and looked and finally found a green that matched perfectly. I was so pleased! It was from a Christmas line of fabric, but it doesn't really look Christmasy to me!

I had quite an adventure tracing the pattern, and figuring out where to add seam allowances and where to not add seam allowances. I cut the front pant legs out only to realize that I hadn't added the seam allowance along the waist. Thankfully, I had enough fabric to cut it out again!

I'm looking forward to using more patterns from my Ottobre issues!

~Olives~

Do you like olives? Olives are one of those things that you either like or dislike. I happen to love olives - both black and green! Yummy!

Please answer the poll --------> and feel free to comment as well! :-)

~Lemon Cream Scones~

I love scones! When I was working full time, I would sometimes walk down to a corner cafe and buy a scone for breakfast.

I hadn't even thought of the possibility of making scones until just recently. Really, they are quite simple to make! And so much cheaper too!



I found a recipe on recipezaar.com for Lemon Cream Scones. The recipe calls for raisins, which I have used. But I've also used dried cherries and Craisins. Also, I juice the lemon I've just zested, and use the juice in place of the water. These scones are so yummy!



I made them yesterday, and in an attempt to make them a little healthier, used half whole wheat flour. They turned out very good - not quite as "pretty" but very tasty!

On my wish list, from Williams-Sonoma:

(wooden lemon reamer)

and

(Microplane Rasp Grater)

Both would make the job of making these scones a whole lot faster! :-)

~Earrings~

So...after living 32 years without earrings, I decided I would like my ears pierced! :-) Now that the studs are out, I am looking for cute earrings. For those who have their ears pierced, where are your favorite places to get earrings? I have looked at a few Etsy shops, in stores, etc.

And...how do you store your earrings?

Do tell!

~Cards~

When you see a product endorsement on my blog, it is because the product/company is one which I enjoy. I receive nothing in return for my endorsements, and it is unprompted by the company.

A few months ago, I came across a code for a free Hallmark card. This wasn't a card at a store though - it was for a completely customizable card which Hallmark then printed and sent to the recipient of my choice. How easy was that?

Since then, I have used their online service for several more cards. It is not the cheapest route to go when sending a card, but neither is it the most expensive. For under $4, you pick your card, customize it (on some cards you can even add your own pictures!), and then Hallmark prints and sends it out for you.

It's a fun little way to send a card! Another benefit to this is that you can order cards ahead of time, and they will send them on the date you choose. I'm always forgetting to get birthday cards out in time - this would be great for that!

~I'll Do it All for Jesus~

I had several questions about the song in my post below. I searched online, but I could not find even the lyrics. I have it on a record from Children's Bible Hour. It appears that CBH Ministries have compiled their old records onto CD's, and "I'll Do it All for Jesus" can be found in Songtime, volume 2. I love the older music from Children's Bible Hour. It is very bouncy and cheerful. I have had the record for several years now, and sometimes I would put it on when I did my housework. *Smiles* The CD's are only $10 each and I plan on getting them so that The Baby has some good music to listen to!

~Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies~

These only look like an ordinary chocolate chip cookie! The peanut butter adds greatly to the yummy factor of this cookie!

2 sticks butter, room temperature
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream above ingredients together, and then stir in:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Stir thoroughly, then add:
12 oz. package chocolate chips
12 oz. package milk chocolate chips

Using your cookie scoop, drop the dough on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350* for 12 minutes or until lightly brown. Yield: 4 1/2 dozen

This is an easy recipe to cut in half if you only want a few cookies. Enjoy!

~Cleaning~

Are you familiar with the old children's song that goes something like this...

Shaking mats and scrubbing floors
In the house and out of doors.
Washing, ironing, darning too,
These are things that girls can do,

Chorus:
I'll do it all for Jesus,
I'll do it all for Jesus!
I'll do it all for Jesus,
He did so much for me.

Boys can be as handy too,
With the hammer, wrench, and screw.
Shoveling coal and chopping wood,
They can do it if they would.

(Chorus)

Yes, I know. So sexist. Whatever...

I loved singing that song as a child. And when we got to the boys, we girls put extra emphasis on IF THEY WOULD. LOL

Anyhow, today I'm shaking mats and scrubbing floors, washing, ironing, but not darning. It feels good to get things really clean!

What are your favorite cleaners for your floors? I use PineSol for my kitchen and bathroom floors and Murphy's Oil Soap for the wood floors in my living room and dining room.

Image found here. Incidentally, you can purchase this set if you want to. *Smiles*

~Bookbag #3~

~Made with a thrifted jean skirt that no longer fit me, lined with gingham, and accented with a row of ric-rac~


~Aren't my sisters lucky? *Smiles* Another sister received this tote...this was the last one I made!~

~Bookbag #2~

~Made with two coordinating cotton prints~


~With a yoyo flower as a decoration~


~A gift for yet another sister~

~National Donut Day~

Today is National Donut Day, which was first started by The Salvation Army in 1917, to bolster the troop's morale.


In honor of the lowly doughnut/donut, I went for a nice long walk to a bakery and bought myself a custard-filled donut.


Just perfect with a cup of coffee.


If you have read any of Grace Livingston Hill's work, you know that a cup of coffee and a "dough-nut" is a very nutritious breakfast indeed.

And since I don't believe that, I am hoping that the long walk zeroed out the calories consumed.

Krispy Kreme is giving out free donuts, and Dunkin Donuts will give you a donut with the purchase of a drink. I figured the cost of gas would be more than the savings of a free donut, so I opted to buy my donut today.

~Bookbag #1~

~A simple bookbag, made with a reproduction retro-print and lined with red gingham, a gift for one of my sisters~


~Enhanced with a flower brooch (tutorial found here)~


Just perfect for carrying books to and from the library!

~Sharing Recipes~

I love recipes that come to me by way of friends! There is something so connecting in making a recipe that a friend has given to me. I feel close to that friend when I make her recipe. Do you feel that way? I enjoy using recipes posted on blogs too, it makes me feel just a little closer to my blogging friend, like I know them just a little better by making their recipe.

The curious thing about recipes is how differently they will turn out when someone else makes them. When my sisters and brother were here last Thanksgiving, my sister made my soup recipe for dinner one night. She used all my spices and ingredients, my stove, and didn't deviate from the recipe. And yet, it tasted different! Isn't that funny how that works?

~Nine~

Today is my ninth wedding anniversary! My, time does fly! It seems like just yesterday that my dad walked me down the aisle and gave my hand in marriage to my husband!

This past year was quite unlike any other year we've had. Shortly after our eighth anniversary, we got the joyous news that we were expecting. And then, for the following nine months I was sick with "morning" sickness, making it necessary for Kevin to cook almost everything he ate. He got tired of eating the same few dishes that he knows how to cook, but he didn't complain. I got tired of *smelling* the same few dishes he knew how to cook and I did complain, mainly because even smelling them made me nauseated. But we made it! I am no longer sick (hurrah!) and Kevin is no longer having to cook for himself (he says hurrah several times over! *wink*) and we have a darling baby daughter! (hurrah many times over!)

We are very much enjoying life as a family of three. I look forward to what this next year in our marriage will bring! Happy anniversary, Kevin!

~Too funny!~

Oh...I love this! Absolutely too funny!

~My First Crochet Project~

When I was a teenager, I taught myself how to crochet. I had a book from the library that had a few crochet patterns in it, and I picked a doily pattern and started working on it. I would sneak into my bedroom when I supposed to be doing dishes or some other task - to crochet. Isn't that what every teenager sneaks off to do? LOL



Because I was using a thicker thread than the pattern called for, the doily turned out much bigger than the pattern said it would. But I was enthralled with the finished product, and didn't mind at all that it was twice as large!



It makes a cheerful, summery centerpiece for the coffee table.

~Tie a pretty bow~

Awhile back, I was wrapping a present (a very belated present I must say - I need to get better at getting gifts out on time! But that's a whole 'nother post!) and wanted to tie a pretty bow. I remembered having seen a blog post on this subject, so I went back and looked it up.

If you go here you can learn how to tie a bow on a package that not only looks great, but is easy for the recipient to untie!

Here is my package: