GOOD BYE JAMMIES!

On October 30, 2010, I posted this regarding my favorite pajamas.   I was planning to throw them in the rag bag.  But guess what I did?  I sewed them up, patched the rip on the leg, sewed a couple of new seams along the top so the drawstring would still stay in the casing, and I have been wearing them ever since.  Last week I needed to patch the leg again, and while doing so I put my finger through the fabric.....it was that thin.  And I still hated to give them up.  They have served me well for,,,,what,,,,12 years?  15 years?  In fact I wore them again last night.  And put my finger through the fabric on the other leg.  It's time folks.  It's time they get thrown in the rag bag..

I had to go into town today for a hair cut appointment, but before I left I found my pattern, I found some fabric I could spare out of my quilting stash, and I decided I would make a new pair of comfy cotton pajama bottoms when I returned from town.  After my haircut I decided to check out the sales at a nice department store at the mall.....way at the far end of the mall so I could just go into the door, check the sales, and go back out the door without having to walk the length of the mall.  I don't like malls.  I saw a huge sign, 70% off it claimed.  It was in the fancy pajama department, so I was curious to see what they had.  I found wonderful cotton pajama bottoms!  Original price was $40 and above.  Sale, plus 70% off sale price, was $8.00!  I went home with three pairs in a bag.  The fabric I had chosen to make my pajamas out of was about $14, so it was really a good deal.  Saved me my fabric and my time!

And I went home and found some T shirts that had seen better days but were too good to throw in the rag bag, and I matched them up with my new jammie bottoms, and I now have 3 new pairs of pajamas.  Yay me!

I am almost thinking I should have a special ceremony tonight as I throw the old jammies in the rag bag.  They have been my faithful friend for a long, long time.  We've slept together for many years!  But I am dumping them.  Yup.  Tonight. 

547 b

I don't like red lipstick.  I don't like pink lipstick.  I don't like orange lipstick.  I like 547b and it's getting hard to find.  Now granted, this isn't an earth shattering problem; having some 547b won't save the world or even make your life easier.  But, when you don't like red, pink, or orange, it is a big deal to me.

547b is a light, almost lip glossy chapsticky kind of lipstick.  The color is a little brownish pinkish clearish.  It's all I wear.  And I was out.  I had to go to three stores before I found some, and then they only had two tubes, so I bought them both.  And if I see it again, I'll buy whatever they have on hand, if I can afford it that day.  After all, it is 99 cents a tube.  I know.  I'm an extravagant girl, but it's nothing but the best for me.  547b or nothing!

IT'S FINALLY WINTER

The weather news this morning said we had about 3 inches of snow last night.  That makes a grand total of 12 inches for the winter.  Last year at this time?  55 inches.  Yes, we are way behind in moisture, which does not make the farmers happy.  And the new flower beds filled with all those perennials my friend Charlie gave me?  I sure hope the mulch I spread and the leaves that blew in will be enough to protect them from the cold without the blanket of snow.

It does look kind of pretty out there.  For a few minutes this morning, maybe 3 minutes, the sun broke through and it was very sparkly white, but the sun quickly disappeared behind the clouds and it has been grey since.

I love snow covered berries.  It reminds me of my favorite trip with my mom and sister.  One year, just about now at the end of January, we took mom and my sister up to the North Shore of Lake Superior for a winter retreat.  We rented a small cabin, complete with fireplace, and spent several days in about 3 feet of snow, right on the big lake.  We saw beautiful sunrises and sunsets, made dreamy looking by the steam from the lake and the ice chunks alone the shore.  It was beautiful!  One day we took a trip up the Sawbill Trail, to the Sawbill Outfitters at the north end.  The road was plowed very well, and we had no fear of getting stuck along our 20 some mile trip through the beautiful pine forest.  Poor Ernie had to make countless quick stops along the way when either my sister or I would yell "stop!" for a photo op.  Mom was busy looking for the trees along the road that contained beautiful snow covered red berries.  She'd spy a berry tree, holler "red berries!" and Ernie would slam on the brakes as Lois and I were already climbing out of the van door to take pictures.  We were cold and wet by the end of the trip, but that just made the little cabin with the warm fire even more cozy.  I will never forget the trip that has come to be known as the Red Berry Trip.

We had a little drizzle last night before the snow, so there is a thin coat of ice under the snow.

On another subject:  Next week is the one year anniversary of me going gluten free.  Do you think I'm suffering?  Nope!  I am not!  I've not felt so healthy in years, I have less pain, and I will not be giving up this new eating style.  I love it!

This morning I made pizza crusts from this recipe in my favorite cookbook, Cooking for Isaiah  , and froze three of them for future use.  (See Linda!  I told you I had orange post it notes in my cookbook!)  I make them about 8 inches in diameter, perfect for hubby and I to share for lunch.  They smelled so good that I fixed one up today for lunch.

You thinking that looks like I am missing out on something?  No way!  This pizza had the great crust, sauce, a few pieces of pepperoni, fresh tomatoes, red onions, wonderful fresh Crimini mushrooms, and cheese.  This photo makes it look like the cheese is really thick.  It's not.  But the veggies and mushrooms underneath were!  And it was delicious!

BEACH WALKING

I was just looking back at posts from a year ago, and I discovered that we left on February 2 for Arizona last year.  We plan to leave on February 2 for Florida this year.  I didn't realize that we have picked the same departure date.  Maybe we should make that a yearly thing.....leave Minnesota on February 2 every year!

I am beginning to make my lists and starting to get things in piles, ready to pack for our trip.  We will be staying in temporary quarters on the AFB, and we will have a kitchen with dishes, silverware, pots and pans.  However, I don't think they will have my cast iron skillets, which I need.  They won't have my big red pot, which I need.  And they won't have my Wusthof knives, which I need.  Therefore, I will pack them.  But this time there is no need to pack bedding and towels as they are provided.

So it's really only a matter of packing my sandals for beach walking, my capris for beach walking, and my short sleeved T shirts for beach walking.  Beyond that, I need my camera to take pictures of my beach walking, and my computer to distribute pictures of my beach walking. 

At first we wondered if we should waste the money to leave town this year as the winter has been so mild.  But this last week the temps fell below zero, and we've had some blustery winds with a bit of snow.  Today was freezing drizzle and falling temps, so it will probably get cold and slippery.  Yup, time to waste some money and head south for a couple of weeks.

The invitation is still open for you all to come along.  Just let me know when and where to pick you up!

 

HALF WINTER

We have been so spoiled this winter.  We have had no snow and we've had no cold.   I remember one little snow fall of maybe three inches that melted the next day in the 40 degree temperatures.  It's been weird, to say the least.  In fact I wondered if we should even waste the money to go to Florida for a week or two because it hasn't been real winter here.  Nothing to get away from. 

However.

This morning we are being treated to half winter.  It's cold.  Still no snow though.

Even in the cold, we are blessed with beautiful sunrises.  I love the bright orange ball that rises behind the trees every morning.  It almost feels warmer when you see the ball of fire in the sky.  Almost.

A PRETTY GOOD DEAL

I am sitting here tonight,  patting myself on the back.  I think I got a pretty good deal today.  I went to the mall, only because I had received a $10 rewards card for a clothing store in the mail today.  About the only thing that will get me to the mall is free money!

I found a sweater that was kind of cute.  It was 3/4 sleeved, long enough to hit below the butt, and it had ties to cinch it at the waist.  It was kind of a rusty cinnamony color,  one of my favorite autumn hues.  It was originally $49.95.  It was marked down to $44.95, not a big deal at all.  But it was on a rounder of 70% off sweaters.  And my rewards card was for $10.

So I paid $3.49 cash for my sweater!  Yay me!

BE CAREFUL LITTLE BIRDIES!

Be careful little woodpecker.......

 

Be careful little sparrows.....

especially when bathing.....

Be careful little finches.....

Be careful blurry little cardinal.....

There is danger among us!

THOUGHTS ON BEING GREAT

My daughter Kari took her blog private last year, so I am not able to link over to it.  However, I think I am allowed to tell you the contents of this morning's post.  An ultrasound picture.  Of her grandbaby!  My daughter is going to be a grandma so what does that make me?  Great!  It makes me great!  I am going to be a great grandma!

Kari and Mike's oldest daughter, almost 26,  surprised them yesterday afternoon with a DVD containing the ultrasound picture of her little tic-tac sized baby, a tiny little spot on a fuzzy photo that God willing will grow and flourish into a healthy little baby ready to face this world in late summer.  There are concerns.  My granddaughter is a diabetic.  She is checking blood sugars often, and told me she is eating healthier than she did before.  One thing we know for certain....this baby's brain will not be destroyed before birth by alcohol.  Thank God!

So I have been pondering this business of being great.  When I was born I had four great grandparents, as this baby will have.  I especially remember two of them.  They were old.  Oh my, were they old.  Gros Papa sat in a black leather rocking chair in the living room of my grandparents home, and smoked stinky cigars.  He spoke German.  I was scared of him.  And he was really old.  Grandma Martha lived in a tiny house next to a hill.  She served us rice and milk with sugar and cinnamon, or canned goods from her cellar under the kitchen, reached by a trap door with a metal ring for a handle to lift it up.  And she was really old.

I don't think I'm old.  Oh, I have aches and pains some days, but I am not old.  I can't imagine my great grandparents hiking on the state trail, or taking a bike ride, or driving to Alaska, or going fishing, or walking the streets of Rome or Florence for many hours, or babysitting active grandkids!  I especially can't imagine that last thought..... they were old!  I am not old.

It is early yet.  She's only at two months.  And as I said before, there are concerns.  Granddaughter needs to take very good care of herself in order to keep herself and her baby healthy.  I'm sure this is now her top priority.  My top priority will be to pray.

And to begin plans for a great baby quilt!

TABLE BOOTS

It looks like my table has boots on, doesn't it.  But the fact is, I found the bed risers I was looking for to raise up the table I use for cutting fabric in my sewing/guest/computer room.  I should have known.  Tarjay had them.  I hadn't thought to go there because I avoid the mall at all costs.....do not like all the people or all the stuff.  But I got brave and went in the door.....and found a totally different floor plan than the last time I was in there.  Ummm, maybe 4 months ago?  They are remodeling and rearranging, and no one knew where anything was.  Fortunately, I found a sweet young gal, probably a college student, who said she had no clue where anything was, but that we would search together to find the bed risers.  She said the last time she saw them they were by the hangers, but she had no clue where they moved the hangers to!  So we found another clerk and asked her, and she pointed us in the right direction.  And there they were!  Right by the hangers!  So the search is ended, and I am happy.  I am cutting out another table topper now, and the table is the proper height for my 5'8" frame.  Thank you young Tarjay clerk.  You were most helpful.

BEEN BUSY

I have neglected to post for a few days, but I have been busy.  Mostly busy blowing my nose.  YUK!  Did I ever tell you how much I despise colds?  I absolute hate them.  Such a waste of time.  Anyhow, Monday and Tuesday were stay at home days.....in fact I didn't even get dressed on Tuesday.  But I sat at the sewing machine for quite awhile on both days.

This small quilt/wall hanging of just 12 blocks was a lot of fun to make.  Each of the blocks is only about 3 inches.......It is called The 12 Days of Christmas.  Do you see why?  The first block is 1 piece, the second is 2 pieces, the third is 3 pieces, and on until the last block, the twelfth  block, is 12 pieces.   I've not made many blocks that small, so it was kind of fun.

Then I made a table topper, or small wall quilt, of these soft  colors.  It is on my table waiting to get marked for quilting as we speak.  This one was pretty straight forward and easy.  I have several charm packs that will probably be turned into this little quilt.

I didn't sleep well last night at all, but this morning I was blessed with this beautiful sunrise, so sleep didn't seem to matter anymore.  Daughter Kari and I went to the co-op and after buying groceries we had a nice salad for lunch.  And then I bought a new iron.  Whoopee!

BED RISERS

After wandering around in over a half a dozen stores, I have decided that I should have just ordered online like we've been doing more and more recently.  It would have saved my finding a parking place; it would have saved my sanity as I searched the store for the item, and then for a clerk to ask if they carried the item.  And it would have saved my growing anger as each place said "no, we don't have them, but so and so does."   Guess what?  I checked all the so and so places, and no one has them.  Not in our town of over 40,000, anyhow.

What on earth is this elusive object that my town doesn't carry?  Bed risers.  Plastic or wooden, I don't care, just want bed risers.  And not for our bed.  That is already so high that we need to take a flying leap to get into bed at night.  I want them for a table in my sewing room to raise it up to use for a fabric cutting table.  And I have looked.  I looked at Maynard's, Home Fix It place, Lowley's, a furniture store, a bed/mattress store, Cheapko, and finally I got brave and went to the Wall of Marts, and came up empty each and every time.  I do have to say, however, that I did have three people willingly and cheerfully helping me at Lowley's, which was a great improvement over the other six stores. 

A quick search online shows exactly what I want, so I think I'll just order them.  Should have done that in the first place.  I have learned my lesson.

SUNRISE, SUNSET

Sunrise

Sunset

Sunrise, sunset,

Swiftly flow the years.

One season following another,

Laden with happiness and tears.

QUICK UPDATE

Just a quick update before I head for the shower and some scalding hot water pulsating on my aching neck and shoulder muscles.

Daughter is still hospitalized in a lot of pain, but it is better than yesterday.  The Morphine makes her itch, so they switched to Dilaudid, which gives her a headache, which triggers the nausea, which then causes the pancreas to go into it's cycle of pain.  I think they decided to switched back to the Morphine for the next 24 hours.

Thanks for the prayers.

I am going to wrap in a blanket and watch Mama Mia after my shower.  A very healing show!

I DON'T UNDERSTAND

I haven't bought any new Christmas decorations for quite a few years, so I thought I'd check the clearance sales now that Christmas is over, and I headed out to a few stores today.  What?  There is nothing left?  It's only 9 days after Christmas.  Either they didn't carry many decorations this year (and I wouldn't know because I didn't go into the stores or the mall during the Christmas shopping season) or they are all gone.  Already.

However, you are able to purchase your Valentine, St. Patrick's Day and Easter decorations.  Get serious!  I guess I should have looked for clearance sales a month before Christmas.  I don't understand.

And on another matter.  Our daughter is in the hospital with pancreatic pain, again.  Please keep her in your prayers.

AN INVITATION

You are cordially invited

to accompany

hubby and me

on

a short winter vacation

with the

destination being

 We'll walk the beach,

pick some shells,

  go to the Quilting By the Bay Quilt Shop,

 eat some Plant City strawberries, 

and try to avoid the Panama City Beach Spring break gang!

Leaving on or about February 2.

Want to go?

THE DAWNING OF A NEW WEEK AND A NEW YEAR

Happy Sunday!  Happy New Year!  Our world changed just a little bit overnight as we had maybe an inch of snow.  It is white.  Clean.  Just like the calendar for the new year.  Wonder how we will mess it up this year!