tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252120422024-03-12T23:23:38.294-04:00Coffee Time StitchesCreating . . . one coffee cup and many stitches at at time.Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.comBlogger687125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-34442486030641788862013-04-26T11:07:00.000-04:002013-04-26T11:07:26.345-04:00Where?Where do you create? In your studio? In your bedroom? In your dining room?<br />
<br />
I have a craft/studio room. It used to be just for me, or at least it was for the first 18 months we lived here. Then Mr. E came along and he needed a place to sleep so a pack and play was added to the space. When he outgrew the pack and play last summer a day bed went up and my sewing table table came down. Since then the room has become a dumping ground for craft supplies. This is how it looks this morning: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMGmrHaomvELBrvfW2fwQBu9cWk3tLYoWOslyaHFUPHUxH8-h_psy-6nSFdtd87XwAkKfDlHpSCSa8dQPAqEbBDwrORkwdmZwPCP_8Dbul76wInU6fsbfN6gIKRef-N8cV6MIYw/s1600/CraftRoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMGmrHaomvELBrvfW2fwQBu9cWk3tLYoWOslyaHFUPHUxH8-h_psy-6nSFdtd87XwAkKfDlHpSCSa8dQPAqEbBDwrORkwdmZwPCP_8Dbul76wInU6fsbfN6gIKRef-N8cV6MIYw/s320/CraftRoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This is the worst it has ever been. Next week a friend is coming over to help me deep clean and organize it. My plan is to get a full-size bed, get rid of the kitchen island and move our current bedroom dressers in there for storage. At least that's what I'm hoping to do in the next two months.<br />
<br />
I have two main places I craft now. One is the dining room table. It could hardly be called a dining room table since the only time we use it for eating is for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last night I was cutting papers for journals on it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWah13FaYZGHdddYCn0a-ZG3ZNhZ-l7_ku6egM-64OPdQp4VfQekaZZ_QjyNFb34nKQ9hUOCSGd0caVL6XPWvNrDaWOXARjt8ZJze_saEl7y_QZS4o6oeXHUAmE5kNT6CiBu43rg/s1600/table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWah13FaYZGHdddYCn0a-ZG3ZNhZ-l7_ku6egM-64OPdQp4VfQekaZZ_QjyNFb34nKQ9hUOCSGd0caVL6XPWvNrDaWOXARjt8ZJze_saEl7y_QZS4o6oeXHUAmE5kNT6CiBu43rg/s320/table1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This morning I'm inking journal covers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6dEux5gw8nbSN9aKUdPDBuhUXDWnv5eYsmhFzEQ9gIe4JZ1MX1YrNkDI9begUZ4XT5cEpyf_pilfMrCAw1yYg9hoqDSBRfGrKiHJrff0WP_8IIpIOqG7tj24u4b7zsEBy3h2oA/s1600/table2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6dEux5gw8nbSN9aKUdPDBuhUXDWnv5eYsmhFzEQ9gIe4JZ1MX1YrNkDI9begUZ4XT5cEpyf_pilfMrCAw1yYg9hoqDSBRfGrKiHJrff0WP_8IIpIOqG7tj24u4b7zsEBy3h2oA/s320/table2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When I am crocheting, needlepointing or hand work I sit in my "nest" (that's our nickname for my end of the couch). If we ever get rid of the couch I'm in trouble! I love the fold down table in the middle!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9amAL3UPzZKr7vzJEFOisx1TEk7Ov6L08t7DvTbFGO6nQxxzUXkxs7i4u_267aOicC0ZBZRbLCnWMY7IYF2AZUefT3pSJeq8DTRJIN6nGmhC4vwFbpAT9ViXDdwjQXcxaQfhCA/s1600/couch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9amAL3UPzZKr7vzJEFOisx1TEk7Ov6L08t7DvTbFGO6nQxxzUXkxs7i4u_267aOicC0ZBZRbLCnWMY7IYF2AZUefT3pSJeq8DTRJIN6nGmhC4vwFbpAT9ViXDdwjQXcxaQfhCA/s320/couch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Show me where you craft!<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-69487951407298506662013-04-25T18:20:00.000-04:002013-04-25T18:20:37.245-04:00Vanilla<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXYmvQNv4nZbCUAYI1rf7z9GtgmcPBtxrRRwM-jE1mbD387reZHJy2vkXXHaIy0-Y1nl4qTCeGjzJTp8Qpwyml7LmcIFU57EKt_rGnt4tPuNeA91ZSfynOo6mwdsfKyG0cO5tmA/s1600/mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXYmvQNv4nZbCUAYI1rf7z9GtgmcPBtxrRRwM-jE1mbD387reZHJy2vkXXHaIy0-Y1nl4qTCeGjzJTp8Qpwyml7LmcIFU57EKt_rGnt4tPuNeA91ZSfynOo6mwdsfKyG0cO5tmA/s320/mug.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
What does a coffee mug have to do with Vanilla? Well, let me tell you.<br />
<br />
I love coffee. I love strong, dark coffee. I don't love strong, dark coffee flavored 15 ways from Sunday with extra sugar, whip cream and a cherry on top.<br />
<br />
<br />
I love strong, dark coffee with touch of homemade vanilla milk (or is it half and half?). Anyway I mix two cups of fresh whole milk, one can of sweetened condensed milk and a teaspoon of real vanilla extract. I add a splash of this milk to my coffee and it makes my coffee heavenly.<br />
<br />
Sweet P<br />
(who is enjoying a cuppa right now)Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-12068530244941103312013-04-24T16:00:00.000-04:002013-04-24T16:00:00.775-04:00Upcycle versus RecycleI live in a crafty world (I suppose you already knew that). I hate throwing away stuff. I recycle. Yet, sometimes, I feel guilty recycling. And, thanks to working with many crafty people and discovering Pinterest, I'm bombarded with ideas for re-using items that would normally be sent on their merry way.<br />
<br />
In choosing today's word - Upcycling - I wondered what the difference is between upcycling and recycling. A quick Google search led me to Hubpages and this good <a href="http://jamiebrock.hubpages.com/hub/Recycle-or-Upcycle-What-is-the-difference" target="_blank">article</a> by Jamie Brock on the difference. In essence, upcycling is using something that would normally be thrown away or recycled and using it for a better purpose. Recycling is breaking down a product and making a new product out of it, like making recycled paper products.<br />
<br />
I'm happy to report I have upcycled a few items for my crafting. Many of our products come in PDQs, cardboard boxes for displaying products. Last Christmas I took home a few of those boxes thinking they would come in handy for storing items. I've been cleaning and saving glass food jars for some time as well. This morning, those items came together to make my work area cleaner and more organized.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In a larger box I filled glass jars with my various writing and coloring tools. There was enough space on one side to fit my journals and a few pieces of scrap papers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3jpWntkdYMFi2_JReLW29tPJLfzxQz7TA0gt8b68O7gpTbQA3D7z0nPn4jnvh53fRPRRI-2fC1PYmBHf3cjq6GcyiZBFG7_kcaB-T3dKkMdhywnO-0mf2l13HYpn-3MVlIcd-g/s1600/writingtools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3jpWntkdYMFi2_JReLW29tPJLfzxQz7TA0gt8b68O7gpTbQA3D7z0nPn4jnvh53fRPRRI-2fC1PYmBHf3cjq6GcyiZBFG7_kcaB-T3dKkMdhywnO-0mf2l13HYpn-3MVlIcd-g/s320/writingtools.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A smaller box holds cutting tools, and embellishments and an upcycled leather gift box that holds specialty scissors and glues.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY5RQ9qhgt67Q0ut0llE8xV5Slklqs8lrhf5Yu8gLMB0j5CO7CYo0lPaR4gjRT8xoIXvthZif13Z5CnWctuuCAGroMIgcQQyDqJjGZJWuWQZ7WcgLm9-tZOIcDKMKvpJuCYpgtw/s1600/misctools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY5RQ9qhgt67Q0ut0llE8xV5Slklqs8lrhf5Yu8gLMB0j5CO7CYo0lPaR4gjRT8xoIXvthZif13Z5CnWctuuCAGroMIgcQQyDqJjGZJWuWQZ7WcgLm9-tZOIcDKMKvpJuCYpgtw/s320/misctools.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my organized work space. What is cool about using these boxes is I can move them to my craft storage room when I'm not playing with papers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hCyhsndl8qq3UC5mQClWk_lXIRTH4bamot1lYdKdqbXBgjB25Lom_LBr3MOflUmoGH6vCBIWrdiGuneXFgxWWDv96xG__ibjuF9vRh2GlETiBOw3bAdYJB2UqZ8WT1L7H_pbEg/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hCyhsndl8qq3UC5mQClWk_lXIRTH4bamot1lYdKdqbXBgjB25Lom_LBr3MOflUmoGH6vCBIWrdiGuneXFgxWWDv96xG__ibjuF9vRh2GlETiBOw3bAdYJB2UqZ8WT1L7H_pbEg/s320/table.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Have you upcycled anything lately?<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-48872317280739792592013-04-24T14:00:00.000-04:002013-04-24T14:00:02.391-04:00ToolsI love tools and gadgets. Who doesn't love a good set of tools for whatever you choice of creating happens to be in your life? After all how can you create if you don't have the proper tools?<br />
<br />
Tools make my job interesting. On one hand, I don't want to lose sales for the store. On the other hand, there is nothing more irritating than watching a customer buy more tools and gadgets than she needs.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
For example, I have two paper cutters.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One I bought a few years ago and one that came in my Cricut Accessory kit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleLvDQOfW-MrxtVeRBt1MDU1yBEr7D5AGBD6Gp0rUWM_oxg65Hj28svOgybMpboDC3vUdUtTz7RBX9VQ406xtPbeODb5SLQy-g4vjbkTMMi1YFUesHk4V2Mv4LUTakIFbc-z9vA/s1600/papercutters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleLvDQOfW-MrxtVeRBt1MDU1yBEr7D5AGBD6Gp0rUWM_oxg65Hj28svOgybMpboDC3vUdUtTz7RBX9VQ406xtPbeODb5SLQy-g4vjbkTMMi1YFUesHk4V2Mv4LUTakIFbc-z9vA/s320/papercutters.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, you know what I use for cutting and trimming my papers? My Olfa rotary cutter, self-healing mat and quilting rulers. I know there are quilters who are screaming, "Don't use your rotary cutter on paper!" I have two cutters, one for fabric and one for paper.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhli-lvsYX_hxRxF0HnR2hd56hXGewg-xkYfggKOJkrHXPbjqKDtCg7rmhgmeha93_cHkaVKEAC9KnAR0g-gIeOWyr8jngy1UgUKdO27hYvKn2jUFC9MPRf7NWNJZU9u5nYAniQ/s1600/tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhli-lvsYX_hxRxF0HnR2hd56hXGewg-xkYfggKOJkrHXPbjqKDtCg7rmhgmeha93_cHkaVKEAC9KnAR0g-gIeOWyr8jngy1UgUKdO27hYvKn2jUFC9MPRf7NWNJZU9u5nYAniQ/s320/tools.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Don't get me started on "quilting notions". Nearly every quilt notion in our quilt notion department can be found in the notions department, usually cheaper and on sale more often.<br />
<br />
So, if you come to visit me in the store, I'm going to help you find the most economical options for working on your craft. It may not be in the department you're shopping in, but it will be a good choice.<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-61461635394632338002013-04-24T12:00:00.000-04:002013-04-24T12:00:06.284-04:00Stitching and Shopping <span style="color: blue;"><b>Stitching</b></span><br />
I love to stitch! That shouldn't be a surprise given my blog name.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This past week I finished stitching a few items for dear friends who recently had a baby girl.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made her this adorable sundress.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97pwQ99Fdch5gKX4yMpY9nsVpIUzh4pH976hUYFzcpvgquKXBtQ2Xs42923FD2s530SuKRaLuDrE7OA2BInYrMgN4MyWez2SDSAG9n21Q0icWJDNaZb2P67XLPPfQs9pB3i-zgg/s1600/Dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97pwQ99Fdch5gKX4yMpY9nsVpIUzh4pH976hUYFzcpvgquKXBtQ2Xs42923FD2s530SuKRaLuDrE7OA2BInYrMgN4MyWez2SDSAG9n21Q0icWJDNaZb2P67XLPPfQs9pB3i-zgg/s320/Dress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With a matching sweater and hat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJqCzWC-T4gvkIImBaKZcBLhvNxkHIbT6AIhoqO2idPSEjckvp-YbGP1lewDtChrq98bUw93N5SPoa7vdfAU9ycIN9oE_HIBlUfVfXfVCOBhvKT797TRd1x7BEUd43wn2CBCoMg/s1600/Sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJqCzWC-T4gvkIImBaKZcBLhvNxkHIbT6AIhoqO2idPSEjckvp-YbGP1lewDtChrq98bUw93N5SPoa7vdfAU9ycIN9oE_HIBlUfVfXfVCOBhvKT797TRd1x7BEUd43wn2CBCoMg/s320/Sweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These are first items I've made for a little girl in a long time. I love them. I hope friends have more baby girls so I can stitch more girly stuff.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Shopping</b></span><br />
I'm not a total shopaholic. I don't like shopping for clothes and shoes. I do like grocery shopping. But my self-admitted downfall is shopping where I work. After all, where else does one get stitching and art supplies?<br />
<br />
Anyway, our store is being remodeled in a few weeks and we did a huge price markdown in paper crafting and children's art supplies this past weekend. Just what this budding paper crafter, journaler and grandmother needed to take money out of the bank! After all, I have plans to make three Disney journals for our upcoming Disney vacation.<br />
<br />
I bought two <a href="http://www.eksuccessbrands.com/kandcompany/productlist.htm?bid=1695" target="_blank">Smash</a> journals and coordinating products, two <a href="http://www.basicgrey.com/scrapbook/" target="_blank">Basic Gray</a> journals and a few other miscellaneous paper crafting items. I also went to Staples to buy a heavy duty binder and inserts for Mr. E's journal, plus a quick trip to B&N for Disney books.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK548B3wDEYyfD9hd0FS_ZnDEZkiH1dJhRRWQBgFVMtfxFva8kknmI4oUMzJhTETCXnf65LEWWF7hLoWOrM93BRu1sDyWXB-sEC1rzaLroaTWqJtAnqSYuLggIj6uwpQ4KLhIPcw/s1600/StartDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK548B3wDEYyfD9hd0FS_ZnDEZkiH1dJhRRWQBgFVMtfxFva8kknmI4oUMzJhTETCXnf65LEWWF7hLoWOrM93BRu1sDyWXB-sEC1rzaLroaTWqJtAnqSYuLggIj6uwpQ4KLhIPcw/s320/StartDay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
For Mr. E I found the <a href="http://www.crayola.com/products/dryerase-activity-center-zany-play-edition-product/" target="_blank">Crayola Dry-Erase Activity Center Zany Play edition</a>. He had fun playing with it the other night.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW92W2mvz7HvDI9IywImYkgWrX1ltsrfy_8F8wrfkBRHeW4TmHOF0JPiMive6wiwHCXLHFvxaQqVZK3PzB6cNmBqq7ru4nem6R6cW59f3qsk5wKbF0c5GH8zl6cAhpncs7p86Yrg/s1600/DryBoard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW92W2mvz7HvDI9IywImYkgWrX1ltsrfy_8F8wrfkBRHeW4TmHOF0JPiMive6wiwHCXLHFvxaQqVZK3PzB6cNmBqq7ru4nem6R6cW59f3qsk5wKbF0c5GH8zl6cAhpncs7p86Yrg/s320/DryBoard.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
Now, other than buying a few sponge brushes for Gesso, I'm done shopping for awhile.<br />
<br />Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-29536805223614371952013-04-24T09:51:00.001-04:002013-04-24T09:51:40.448-04:00Resisting and RecipesI've been resisting keeping up on the alphabet blogging. Not for lack of topics, but my Creative Muse has kept me busy creating, rather than writing. I'm going to ignore her for a little while and get caught up with my alphabet challenge<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Recipes</b></span><br />
I love to cook. We love to eat. With the advent of the Internet it's been difficult to print out recipes and keep them handy when I'm working in the kitchen. My computer sits only a few feet away from the counter, but it's hard to read a recipe even with the screen print made large.<br />
<br />
That's where this gadget comes in handy. I found this recipe stand at the Container Store in January and I love it! I print out a recipe, slip it under the Plexiglas and cook away! If the recipe turns out OK, it stays there. If it flops, the paper goes into the recycle bin. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtGwDMq1d2nS0rurxqgfeUdGqWH4fmXFucjDSGYRXS8Va-eFdhXhV-_pWttfB4NA3NQCW6gAQ3PdlVs-kj4SqJaJhpmbjHZn1ZFpguEtJRS_f6tdW1DPkR3IwBT-fwoPuX-ZVsg/s1600/Recipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtGwDMq1d2nS0rurxqgfeUdGqWH4fmXFucjDSGYRXS8Va-eFdhXhV-_pWttfB4NA3NQCW6gAQ3PdlVs-kj4SqJaJhpmbjHZn1ZFpguEtJRS_f6tdW1DPkR3IwBT-fwoPuX-ZVsg/s320/Recipes.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This is how I used to keep the recipes on my counter. It's a wire cookbook stand I bought years ago in Las Vegas. I bought a small chalkboard and had a friend cut it to fit the stand. I still keep in the kitchen, but he has been retired from recipe holding.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQ4uCAzpX2urE8dLiNXUE-U98txcWmqNVKSyA06bZR6PRD_zriPRYLrUeC4av_EzBRJKkIOGK4pcNHCqWy0fHsah1ah9yrsibyl6_El97Z1GdCmDhKqb_lb8NmIFAhZ-HouIetw/s1600/CookbookOld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQ4uCAzpX2urE8dLiNXUE-U98txcWmqNVKSyA06bZR6PRD_zriPRYLrUeC4av_EzBRJKkIOGK4pcNHCqWy0fHsah1ah9yrsibyl6_El97Z1GdCmDhKqb_lb8NmIFAhZ-HouIetw/s320/CookbookOld.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Let's take a quick look through some of the recipes I currently have on the board: </div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/annies-fruit-salsa-and-cinnamon-chips/" target="_blank">Fruit Salsa and Baked Cinnamon Chips</a> - Yum! I made this for Mr. E's birthday party. It was a big hit. The baked cinnamon chips are addicting and make a good snack on their own!</li>
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sarahs-banana-bread-muffins/detail.aspx" target="_blank">Banana Bread Muffins </a>- Mr. E adores making these muffins with me. He would eat every single one if I let him!</li>
<li>I love <a href="http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/" target="_blank">Cinnamon & Spice's</a> blog. I have several of her recipes on my stand. I recommend all of them: Chocolate Peanut Butter Magic in the Middles cookies, Oven Fried Swiss Cheese Chicken with Egg Noddles in a Creamy Sauce and Italian Meatloaf</li>
</ul>
What are some of your favorite recipes?<br />
<br />
Sweet P <br />
<br />Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-30721088692291443452013-04-19T11:51:00.001-04:002013-04-24T09:51:52.247-04:00QuietI live an hour north of Boston. All is quiet here and there is nothing to say this morning.<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-87152795038769426932013-04-18T18:00:00.000-04:002013-04-18T18:00:03.165-04:00PlayI love to play!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I play with threads. This is a Celtic Knot stand I stitched for a co-worker.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQZ1tmWlpqBMEMuI9KnZyFFdMPDX5Ksf6SwY68f5vAk2mjx-cCx4J6j7_BZ5zpcJ_PIO1AqSj67QQgTlaFqkixU7QPHVG6XfcI9-KQRDw-HJoXfQKK1MJsGgjglD1bs6RvYBiRQ/s1600/CelticHearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQZ1tmWlpqBMEMuI9KnZyFFdMPDX5Ksf6SwY68f5vAk2mjx-cCx4J6j7_BZ5zpcJ_PIO1AqSj67QQgTlaFqkixU7QPHVG6XfcI9-KQRDw-HJoXfQKK1MJsGgjglD1bs6RvYBiRQ/s320/CelticHearts.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1556794201"></span><span id="goog_1556794202"></span>I play with yarn. I crocheted these baubles during our February blizzard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-syUq9TIKBzgnKd4SMer82XPuadhUFiif-tryEprL1mfy4Q_imfL3kYduZ-cpAZ99EdsaE0lULS2_J60ZbRxW7KkbPJYbooiHnztEz6q6vIN_Yj4OMJARzaRZgVl9dR3aOvzYg/s1600/Baubles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-syUq9TIKBzgnKd4SMer82XPuadhUFiif-tryEprL1mfy4Q_imfL3kYduZ-cpAZ99EdsaE0lULS2_J60ZbRxW7KkbPJYbooiHnztEz6q6vIN_Yj4OMJARzaRZgVl9dR3aOvzYg/s320/Baubles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I play with my drawing supplies.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRRzS9C2EAys6GHDFwKM9Mv6iN7JzFjXz4f0nwSS-0Bm8VP1owmAh5dPx36lnN0CuSSzqzKjNz75wzlWX8Vju0GLh9EuuSFcTIQ5IZWGVkzmTD9Ue5FkuyxYyMTaBTdDeGCKjZw/s1600/DrawingSupplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRRzS9C2EAys6GHDFwKM9Mv6iN7JzFjXz4f0nwSS-0Bm8VP1owmAh5dPx36lnN0CuSSzqzKjNz75wzlWX8Vju0GLh9EuuSFcTIQ5IZWGVkzmTD9Ue5FkuyxYyMTaBTdDeGCKjZw/s320/DrawingSupplies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I just love to play! I play all the time. Life is all about playing and having fun!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Do you play?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sweet P</div>
Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-6399349283106384912013-04-18T15:00:00.000-04:002013-04-18T15:00:05.484-04:00OctoberOctober is my favorite month. Why?<br />
<br />
First, it's my birthday month! You have to love your birthday month.<br />
<br />
Second, I love the fall colors.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the view I see out my kitchen sliders every fall:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0kkXNa-YKXXeHAASmnKuD1hFAK7GmmOKEsHbdIZegc55kw-w0Oq_KdNdNS4WLry9WbzKxOmV3qDr0K16nsugak6Na-OQOAuSfArt7XEC_8hWO7X0fKS5VOH9cHjARHufW_Xp0w/s1600/FallTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0kkXNa-YKXXeHAASmnKuD1hFAK7GmmOKEsHbdIZegc55kw-w0Oq_KdNdNS4WLry9WbzKxOmV3qDr0K16nsugak6Na-OQOAuSfArt7XEC_8hWO7X0fKS5VOH9cHjARHufW_Xp0w/s320/FallTree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
October brings cooler days and reasons to make pots of chili and stew.<br />
<br />
October means the National Football League is in full swing - my favorite sport.<br />
<br />
What more could a girl want in her birthday month?<br />
<br />
What is your favorite month?<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-8447503656239732022013-04-18T10:38:00.000-04:002013-04-18T10:38:00.759-04:00NeverI have learned to say, "I will never . . ."<br />
<br />
For example, when I started at my current job I said, "I will never scrapbook or do paper crafts." Guest what? I'm doing paper crafting now. I have quite a collection of papers, pens, paints, glues, embellishments, etc. I'm even in the process of designing three different Disney journals for our trip this summer. One for me, one for Mr. E and one for his mommy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bought these fabric samples on clearance and will use them as the covers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h0ZKg7XJJQ8fCNp-6jPYITF1VtKqwb6NrnVArHH0S12DSm01JTRns3nON1cEw_fjy01IOnjvBA8Iw0QeK6P6_7jB5PS-YRTx0eicxfw0CqBW-MaVEW9FYoHbiMSyjiStHqet_Q/s1600/MickeyCovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h0ZKg7XJJQ8fCNp-6jPYITF1VtKqwb6NrnVArHH0S12DSm01JTRns3nON1cEw_fjy01IOnjvBA8Iw0QeK6P6_7jB5PS-YRTx0eicxfw0CqBW-MaVEW9FYoHbiMSyjiStHqet_Q/s320/MickeyCovers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have enough paper for individual pages.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e325s631XzbGnzNNpUr8zIbXUR6Le82PhkMF_Kje_by9DWzveSxB1tGK16KzolPgnLHlhR0Jz3y1oy9rVLxs5KC4TT0XAsEb3wekOP6DM1cpHRk2LaHg3WSzBjDrA_ZS1VY-OA/s1600/MickeyPapers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e325s631XzbGnzNNpUr8zIbXUR6Le82PhkMF_Kje_by9DWzveSxB1tGK16KzolPgnLHlhR0Jz3y1oy9rVLxs5KC4TT0XAsEb3wekOP6DM1cpHRk2LaHg3WSzBjDrA_ZS1VY-OA/s320/MickeyPapers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And several Pins on my<a href="http://pinterest.com/cofetimestitch/disney-journal/" target="_blank"> Disney Journal Pinterest</a> board.<br />
<br />
What have you said "never" to only to eventually start doing it?<br />
<br />
Sweet P <br />
<br />
<br />Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-25229127561103280452013-04-16T18:22:00.000-04:002013-04-16T18:23:15.723-04:00MarriageI believe in marriage. I have a happy marriage and love my husband more every day.<br />
<br />
When we talk with young couples about marriage we tell them our three secrets to a happy marriage:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Take turns loving each other "more". On odd days my husband loves me more. On even days I love him more. On special days like birthdays or anniversaries, we love each other equal.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">No matter how far apart we are (hubby travels 150,000 miles a year) we always tell each good night and say I love you.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">We celebrate being married every 100 days. Yup, you read that right-every 100 days we celebrate being married. Sometimes we go out for special dinner, sometimes we buy a special item for the house. If it's an annivesary for a 1,000 day milestone we often go away for a long weekend.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">How do you celebrate being married or in a committed relationship?</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Sweet P</span></div>
Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-32041952031329466782013-04-14T07:47:00.000-04:002013-04-14T07:47:30.732-04:00LaughterYesterday was a day full of laughter in our house - it was a Disney Junior 4th Birthday party for Mr. E.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyone was greeted at the door by Mickey & His Friends</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__VJquitLQ3jcEHo71pQbzHdcNKZmx9Kkl4LXHyPNzv7ktwVZVTI54XD-bo2vmPRFc9Jw4fMBJ1-ZdyjDtKyTmv2a_Llz9As8WnNbihci81j3rOI-JnMaLA1gPPRM5CIE87VlYA/s1600/Door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__VJquitLQ3jcEHo71pQbzHdcNKZmx9Kkl4LXHyPNzv7ktwVZVTI54XD-bo2vmPRFc9Jw4fMBJ1-ZdyjDtKyTmv2a_Llz9As8WnNbihci81j3rOI-JnMaLA1gPPRM5CIE87VlYA/s320/Door.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There were pirate hats to color, a Cars training manual and a pirate chest full of treasures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFg7nQVwb1Zdu2Xg_cDgblq-nkmoDlHtGzagxciYX93uxU0qVFaIk2F5_sSu_gdxsUakb6wHKJwgCKp_atQD51FAbqAMQp8UmN-0CTdp_aco-u8UyjopUooSdbuAgAOuh0xGLsA/s1600/Crafts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFg7nQVwb1Zdu2Xg_cDgblq-nkmoDlHtGzagxciYX93uxU0qVFaIk2F5_sSu_gdxsUakb6wHKJwgCKp_atQD51FAbqAMQp8UmN-0CTdp_aco-u8UyjopUooSdbuAgAOuh0xGLsA/s320/Crafts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The treasure chest is a recycled box found on sale at the store.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We painted it brown and filled it with treasures.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's next life will be somewhere in my craft storage. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1v0sdy3Rq6PqP01NdeHA4_8ka96xkS3zuVU6GR6RRfumSJZMB_QeOM5HRRvkQURgAbVK7UbxwBO7G2Za-qzFr_HnJ8K_G5i2gLZSazQbRfE-dYjbVuzTjrz88PnKKUwoGXpKpUw/s1600/Treasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1v0sdy3Rq6PqP01NdeHA4_8ka96xkS3zuVU6GR6RRfumSJZMB_QeOM5HRRvkQURgAbVK7UbxwBO7G2Za-qzFr_HnJ8K_G5i2gLZSazQbRfE-dYjbVuzTjrz88PnKKUwoGXpKpUw/s320/Treasure.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cupcakes were required.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KKjBabwKXKSqEU4HYiIbLG-b8T9XKEzu5yiNMoOpjpW0ZAeXxXZFeawSIsYsM8GztQ0BIn5_5f1rfYzzCqnnHHEqmvMZ9axWdivrT0SwGGnJIM5qFl8nTn0IV0FHB4iNvS9EXA/s1600/Cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KKjBabwKXKSqEU4HYiIbLG-b8T9XKEzu5yiNMoOpjpW0ZAeXxXZFeawSIsYsM8GztQ0BIn5_5f1rfYzzCqnnHHEqmvMZ9axWdivrT0SwGGnJIM5qFl8nTn0IV0FHB4iNvS9EXA/s320/Cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As were presents</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTonI9dASHmKAE6nPSbXCWQEhXoCVAZiWQj_BnlH6D8dSq_lEGbmZgtxNf0XfFZS9LHSzMuH_uw9lXouoOBjNMajox5Fj3tTohNocZlBMa0bRHByYX9ta5dr_rSqBR-_TIDs4QQ/s1600/Presents2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTonI9dASHmKAE6nPSbXCWQEhXoCVAZiWQj_BnlH6D8dSq_lEGbmZgtxNf0XfFZS9LHSzMuH_uw9lXouoOBjNMajox5Fj3tTohNocZlBMa0bRHByYX9ta5dr_rSqBR-_TIDs4QQ/s320/Presents2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF8xukrvcbjVkhtpq0FNKBt8JPTpJ7xyCdeYAZGbHJ1aiaz74r3AcOux55mzgQG0GhcuLBV9i2Nki8OWHxSiZzwjA3m4MMMxapnDv6lKkyXB6UV8F1tlt_jOl3Tf_u_XiQO5smA/s1600/Presents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF8xukrvcbjVkhtpq0FNKBt8JPTpJ7xyCdeYAZGbHJ1aiaz74r3AcOux55mzgQG0GhcuLBV9i2Nki8OWHxSiZzwjA3m4MMMxapnDv6lKkyXB6UV8F1tlt_jOl3Tf_u_XiQO5smA/s320/Presents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three of the cousins stayed all the evening.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We ended up playing cards in the Man Cave.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This photo was taken at 10 pm and Mr. E was still going strong! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUPzdARfBl5DvhcRSGZbT5QiYfzLGqIGaBzV3kr5v6lTWnCLvjstL4-AtZzHVl-H2FETBgxWCv5IO6NMaWR29gh1B50fStCpwZ_UbHqSORpVPv1KFXSHvhGnFvm46hFbMGA-7Rg/s1600/Poker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUPzdARfBl5DvhcRSGZbT5QiYfzLGqIGaBzV3kr5v6lTWnCLvjstL4-AtZzHVl-H2FETBgxWCv5IO6NMaWR29gh1B50fStCpwZ_UbHqSORpVPv1KFXSHvhGnFvm46hFbMGA-7Rg/s320/Poker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He finally fell asleep at midnight and is still sleeping at 8 this morning. It was a long and laugh-filled day!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sweet P</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-52734322935828458042013-04-13T07:54:00.001-04:002013-04-13T07:54:48.204-04:00KitchenI love my kitchen! It's not big and fancy. It's on the small side and the perfect size for me. It helps that shortly after we moved in, we had our handy man build out the one closet on the main floor into a pantry for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrq8CVsQ4A7DLuoo1Lz5HQ2xfvu-I7_vC7s2rsXo7DOvwXE7bC6GWHnfsHclMxa-9Ja4OV7X4gBAT3hXIMgMKK0LcuLH1Elr9JwLqOg54KzeCeEuKtFBC-0Ri4JIdBNYJic-Cvw/s1600/pantryclean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrq8CVsQ4A7DLuoo1Lz5HQ2xfvu-I7_vC7s2rsXo7DOvwXE7bC6GWHnfsHclMxa-9Ja4OV7X4gBAT3hXIMgMKK0LcuLH1Elr9JwLqOg54KzeCeEuKtFBC-0Ri4JIdBNYJic-Cvw/s320/pantryclean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The main part of my kitchen is ready for big time party prep in a couple hours. There are cupcakes, fruit salsa and snacks to be made for a party filled afternoon and evening in our house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6t4umbisvpiUuRK5VN-KgLgaG2Q0x2Uy4ZDwZzTumv0i-j72WUJSnfpJekxauTx2mu5lTh20HpJQFXdZzclCxPIY-IbvbP2vsdPzxDdF0Pne-uwsliBWC2PdhhK1uTd4DfAr7UQ/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6t4umbisvpiUuRK5VN-KgLgaG2Q0x2Uy4ZDwZzTumv0i-j72WUJSnfpJekxauTx2mu5lTh20HpJQFXdZzclCxPIY-IbvbP2vsdPzxDdF0Pne-uwsliBWC2PdhhK1uTd4DfAr7UQ/s320/kitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
What are you doing this weekend?<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-69989420864935818802013-04-11T21:18:00.000-04:002013-04-11T21:18:05.300-04:00Jammie DayNot today, but tomorrow is a Jammie Day for me. I have a previously unplanned day off, the weather is going to crappy and I have a party to get ready for on Saturday.<br />
<br />
It will be a perfect Jammie Day for me!<br />
<br />
Do you ever have a Jammie Day? What's your perfect Jammie Day?<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-62034710311077633882013-04-10T18:48:00.001-04:002013-04-10T18:48:54.864-04:00InsomniaInsomania is not what I am dealing with today. Instead I'm off to an early bed time<br />
<br />
Good night!<br />
<br />
Sweet P.Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-3435659004822154232013-04-09T18:19:00.000-04:002013-04-09T18:19:38.313-04:00HappyI'm happy the sun is shining today.<br />
I'm happy there was a thunder storm early this morning.<br />
I'm happy the temps were in the 60's this afternoon.<br />
I'm happy to have a birthday party to get ready for this weekend.<br />
I'm happy, that after two plus ears, I have learned how to blog from my iPad.<br />
<br />
Are you happy?<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-54759294512669252012013-04-08T14:31:00.000-04:002013-04-08T14:31:22.223-04:00Always GoingI am always going somewhere - to work, to home, to bed, to the store. I never seem to stop going. Today I am taking a break from going. Instead I'm parking myself on the couch with:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A birthday boy next to me:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlwyqd3j4HyAYtIFxqT_UGOXiniq8r3lp7LCXU_ASE_UcqUje-WIBG_D10ExksdWF9JK2-qP6OtZnX6EaoM8ORIdE-UnJ-_YnJ_ZcMQfplxqLL_BarCESM3SghF4-ZZF4aaDdoQ/s1600/Ethan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlwyqd3j4HyAYtIFxqT_UGOXiniq8r3lp7LCXU_ASE_UcqUje-WIBG_D10ExksdWF9JK2-qP6OtZnX6EaoM8ORIdE-UnJ-_YnJ_ZcMQfplxqLL_BarCESM3SghF4-ZZF4aaDdoQ/s320/Ethan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My crocheting (with my repurposed yarn) in my hands:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsCVYKvaD0-UNe0zT7qDjPMnvchYGUYChu3kg2sZT-d5d3dhhbdKZ0LGT-QJsdbGomQ7XNtl73Cdb_qnkHZ2pF0p93keYt73lyhLX72JUXpBmQPFJnPCqazqhop7GyP-_iHjTNQ/s1600/project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsCVYKvaD0-UNe0zT7qDjPMnvchYGUYChu3kg2sZT-d5d3dhhbdKZ0LGT-QJsdbGomQ7XNtl73Cdb_qnkHZ2pF0p93keYt73lyhLX72JUXpBmQPFJnPCqazqhop7GyP-_iHjTNQ/s320/project.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Watching this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckh-AyJOPZK8vlhr3C9Jg9akXrbCebM-5WRX9ineX4IYyfYeJXGyZsyydty9-hFhlorpmJcUcqjQt4eGkEE0PEHHyYZzs1VZf0NMVILXMx7OmWuTA_tDn4_JZ73Snq-F5IGbeZQ/s1600/RedSox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckh-AyJOPZK8vlhr3C9Jg9akXrbCebM-5WRX9ineX4IYyfYeJXGyZsyydty9-hFhlorpmJcUcqjQt4eGkEE0PEHHyYZzs1VZf0NMVILXMx7OmWuTA_tDn4_JZ73Snq-F5IGbeZQ/s320/RedSox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I hope you're having a wonderful day!<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-46907258136307495042013-04-06T17:46:00.000-04:002013-04-06T17:46:51.656-04:00Food, Fun, FrugalUnlike "E", "F" gives me many ideas to write about. The three best ones are:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>Food</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love to cook. I love to cook anything with this in it: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24WjzpFxR5aSViVpUwznBaqSoWlE3Bm8fJVuQhL81gXBMoDZgPtYSttOvjDo9traEjnZNjc2sGpD6HF8yeqQoFCbqOLcFn3d41Ygv-Ic-EI28JDtNQzJ1hFD5C0rJHlvGBetEag/s1600/Guiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24WjzpFxR5aSViVpUwznBaqSoWlE3Bm8fJVuQhL81gXBMoDZgPtYSttOvjDo9traEjnZNjc2sGpD6HF8yeqQoFCbqOLcFn3d41Ygv-Ic-EI28JDtNQzJ1hFD5C0rJHlvGBetEag/s320/Guiness.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I took that and made it into a steaming bowl of stew</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SCrGYGvujesbTb7lDhjnHrEbLeW6te5CGupUFkCMRMHU4QdkDKBO7CJKBmGqNgdh8_x0-9Al7LXuaYfR6er50P5tmI1n8_C7H6yZ2yiDXH-WRp3jcb-9rmhrppG8_ckBDeeatw/s1600/Stew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SCrGYGvujesbTb7lDhjnHrEbLeW6te5CGupUFkCMRMHU4QdkDKBO7CJKBmGqNgdh8_x0-9Al7LXuaYfR6er50P5tmI1n8_C7H6yZ2yiDXH-WRp3jcb-9rmhrppG8_ckBDeeatw/s320/Stew.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>Food</b></span> goes along well with <span style="color: purple;"><b>Fun </b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
First the first time in his young life, Mr. E had milk on Froot Loops.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I gave him a straw to slurp up the milk. He loved it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45A4kI8WnNTP5hqAlsry7d_-U2weaDMH1lhrxFnuOO6MkqMgd4oFaR5BzLJDlEU30zWCPxodmEezJiZtkeKzowPZ1Tk2VznbrmidwN1xmSTt90bwixy4dVpQxYOt1Iia8E8Vo5A/s1600/SippingMilk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45A4kI8WnNTP5hqAlsry7d_-U2weaDMH1lhrxFnuOO6MkqMgd4oFaR5BzLJDlEU30zWCPxodmEezJiZtkeKzowPZ1Tk2VznbrmidwN1xmSTt90bwixy4dVpQxYOt1Iia8E8Vo5A/s320/SippingMilk.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mr. E is always full of fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently they had circus day at day care.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He came home dressed up as Super E!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7U1PiddPG2BJq2UVrFFZaPoaAZZC98KZH3oEyZhSogTIhwJ4VTTFbpvUeDinH5H_5XT30rbYwhU00nl-wmDJ-MX-h9eZo5d-_XBWndthExp14-XOoK43u8LkIPS4WeN7e44oHQ/s1600/SuperE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7U1PiddPG2BJq2UVrFFZaPoaAZZC98KZH3oEyZhSogTIhwJ4VTTFbpvUeDinH5H_5XT30rbYwhU00nl-wmDJ-MX-h9eZo5d-_XBWndthExp14-XOoK43u8LkIPS4WeN7e44oHQ/s320/SuperE.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>Fun</b></span> goes with being <span style="color: purple;"><b>Frugal</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My father taught me to always shop for a bargain. Today I found a great bargain. I cleaned the $1 papercrafting bins at the store. I came home with all these goodies for papercrafting fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmFPiRyoazJXIXbf7TG9oN8CHRHevrpzBJkVJHdexH3HUd3o2-e9igxi3Ou43a75PH7nq7BBU4vPLCuNIyfwGNnINm0UdUr3NBk4mCSvrv2LekY1_YzoUQuQ4SHVY9r3PAflxOg/s1600/Goodies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmFPiRyoazJXIXbf7TG9oN8CHRHevrpzBJkVJHdexH3HUd3o2-e9igxi3Ou43a75PH7nq7BBU4vPLCuNIyfwGNnINm0UdUr3NBk4mCSvrv2LekY1_YzoUQuQ4SHVY9r3PAflxOg/s320/Goodies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now I'm off to enjoy my favorite <span style="color: purple;"><b>Food</b></span>: hubby cooked Rib Eye Steaks. Then it's an evening of <b><span style="color: purple;">Fun</span></b> while I start a new crochet project using <span style="color: purple;"><b>Frugal</b></span> (i.e., repurposed) yarn.<br />
<br />
I hope you have a great day off tomorrow from blogging!<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-27321359895253085772013-04-05T19:22:00.003-04:002013-04-05T19:22:59.514-04:00Brought to You By The Letter EMr. E would be the obvious choice for a post about E. However, I'm sure you will see more of him popping up over the next few weeks. I struggled with finding the right "E" word to write. Instead I'm only going to list a the "E" words that floated through my brain.<br />
<br />
Excellent<br />
Enthusiastic<br />
Emphasize<br />
Eschatology<br />
Envelope<br />
Exciting<br />
Emotions<br />
Everyone<br />
Ecru<br />
<br />
The End<br />
<br />
Sweet P <br />
<br />Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-33946401411350632832013-04-04T18:30:00.002-04:002013-04-04T18:31:04.043-04:00DisneyWith a very soon-to-be four-year-old grandson it should be no surprise Disney is my "D" word. Ethan loves Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Little Einsteins, Jake and the Neverland Pirates and even Princess Sophia.<br />
<br />
His birthday party next weekend will be a Disney Junior/Cars themed party. Nearly all of the presents we are giving him are Disney-themed.<br />
<br />
And, of course, he will be taking his fist trip to "Mickey's Castle" (that's his name for Disney World) this summer. We will be staying on property for a full week with lots of visits to the parks and swimming and mini golfing and fun.<br />
<br />
Here is my Windy Night work from yesterday. I used neon crayons for the background and markers for the swooshes. The hint of yellow and flowers in the corner are signs of spring trying to pop into the sky.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlIl5I8mO4ehQIrlq3tcXluTdnB-vw0hSOw0q9IzOBmknybg2-wEJPtgyIecUiWYaqVxLUxff7_9LmotVrHDAUfgxwmi0nDp3OM7hY4acX94P5C4m0bketD_EEM9qT41GvSjcDA/s1600/WindyNight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlIl5I8mO4ehQIrlq3tcXluTdnB-vw0hSOw0q9IzOBmknybg2-wEJPtgyIecUiWYaqVxLUxff7_9LmotVrHDAUfgxwmi0nDp3OM7hY4acX94P5C4m0bketD_EEM9qT41GvSjcDA/s320/WindyNight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I hope you had a wonderful day!<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-67353029127332195812013-04-03T07:00:00.000-04:002013-04-03T16:58:22.704-04:00Create, Creating, Creative<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="qhdr">
"Nothing
exists until or unless it is observed. An artist is making something
exist by observing it. And his hope for other people is that they will
also make it exist by observing it. I call it "<b>creative</b> observation." Creative viewing."
-William Burroughs</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I majored in Philosophy and Religious Studies in college. I remember many early mornings spent in Philosophy class discussing one or two paragraphs from a 15-page reading. I didn't understand how fun or educational it was to discuss a small set of words and what their meaning was in relation to the rest of book or the author or the world.</span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, once in a while, I do like the challenge of discussing a word and its meaning.</span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For example, take the word "create". Here are two definitions of create from Dictionary.com:<br /><span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"></span> </span></span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">cause</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">come</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">into</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">being,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">something</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">unique</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">that</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">would</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">not</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">naturally</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">evolve</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">that</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">is</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">not</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">made</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">by</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">ordinary</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">processes.</span> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">evolve</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">from</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">one's</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">own</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">thought</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">imagination,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">work</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> </span>art<span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">an</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">invention.</span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"></span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Both of these definitions may lead you to believe to create is a special act, perhaps by a talented person. I maintain each person can create or be creative. It all depends on your point of view.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
</div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Open your fridge door. Creatively observe the eggs in their carton, the cheddar cheese in the drawer and the bacon on shelf. Those items cannot naturally evolve into an omelet for breakfast. You have to (using the definition) cause the omelet to come into being. You created breakfast!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
</div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">How about the pile of dirty laundry in the corner? It isn't going to spontaneously jump into the washer, then the dryer, fold itself and put itself away. You can be creative with the laundry by folding it in a new way or put it in a new spot. (I know this is a stretch, but humor me. Three is my number and I needed three examples.)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
</div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">As I write this I see my bag of markers, crayons and pencils sitting on top of my sketchbook. I am listening to the wind blowing hard, sounding more like a mid-Winter wind than a gentle early Spring breeze. In my mind I am creatively viewing a swirl of colors across the sketchbook paper. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
</div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Therefore, I am off to play. Maybe I'll be back with a photo of my work later. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
</div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">What have you creatively observed today? </span> </span></span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
</div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PS - I missed my Blog Anniversary on Monday. I started this blog adventure on April 1, 2006. Wow! I can't believe it's been that long! </span></div>
<div class="qhdr">
</div>
<div class="qhdr">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sweet P </span></div>
Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-36732195729239023492013-04-02T07:00:00.000-04:002013-04-02T07:00:00.835-04:00Boys, Boys, BoysA perfect word for "<b><span style="color: blue;">B</span></b>" - <span style="color: blue;"><b>BOYS</b></span>!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My life is filled with <b><span style="color: blue;">BOYS</span></b> and I'm OK with them.<br />This is my youngest son and his fiance</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-AIY996g_5eLjr6kIUnVevr08B3S6TPFt-aTw4fmc79yfcQtr-gNEUZeR4jRwuIcqHJgIZ-85IgjuH1uNvRkXF_88T1UkCbwwjeRvCer_2Dtua6XOVSsyHxcn2Is3jDdl34X0A/s1600/BrandonEllen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-AIY996g_5eLjr6kIUnVevr08B3S6TPFt-aTw4fmc79yfcQtr-gNEUZeR4jRwuIcqHJgIZ-85IgjuH1uNvRkXF_88T1UkCbwwjeRvCer_2Dtua6XOVSsyHxcn2Is3jDdl34X0A/s320/BrandonEllen.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My hubby, AKA Grampa, and Mr. E </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxBVckC7h6PdV3U2EngxHknFPeqV1WIj9fDs_W9yo2IA-0ceAUptTemQynNuwo9iQHjJbkUJSew0erpqg_-qgo_pJesoK9MfAcCtLFdPv-gdLaqKtpYLUUkd-FLPmkSji40B6Yg/s1600/GrampaEthan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxBVckC7h6PdV3U2EngxHknFPeqV1WIj9fDs_W9yo2IA-0ceAUptTemQynNuwo9iQHjJbkUJSew0erpqg_-qgo_pJesoK9MfAcCtLFdPv-gdLaqKtpYLUUkd-FLPmkSji40B6Yg/s320/GrampaEthan.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Son #2 and Mr. E</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME5EjB4UiZsOmNiOAdtH0zDNE-zqGo1mX-Giw0cYdRJqskjXy9Buyx2U4JfS1eZQCBqbDgR1p6YohTbvtFMiSgEkmyJ39Wv7RXPogDIZBpxPV0jbLe0A8iOGY82u_PwTRexOiLQ/s1600/DaddyEthan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME5EjB4UiZsOmNiOAdtH0zDNE-zqGo1mX-Giw0cYdRJqskjXy9Buyx2U4JfS1eZQCBqbDgR1p6YohTbvtFMiSgEkmyJ39Wv7RXPogDIZBpxPV0jbLe0A8iOGY82u_PwTRexOiLQ/s320/DaddyEthan.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
My oldest son was killed in a car accident in 1997. He left behind a then three-year-old son who lives with his grandparents in Virginia.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I'm good at boy stuff: football, baseball, golf and Hot Wheels. Dirt is no problem. Worms and bugs are a problem.<br />
<br />
When we get together with the family, you're more likely to find me hanging out with the children or the men than with the women of the family.<br />
<br />
Are you more comfortable with boys or girls?<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-57974863716005133132013-04-01T12:07:00.000-04:002013-04-01T13:19:53.146-04:00A is for . . .<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: purple;">BIG A, little a </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: purple;">What begins with A?</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: purple;">Aunt Annie's alligator</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: purple;">A...a...A</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dr. Seuss's ABC</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This rhyme ran through my head all night as I mused on my topic for the letter <b><span style="color: purple;">A</span>. </b>When you have an adorable four-year-old grandson Dr. Seuss is part of your reading repertoire.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Where does <b><span style="color: purple;">A </span></b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">fit into my life?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>About Me </b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"></span>For any new readers, let me tell you about me. I am a 50-something wife, mother, and grandmother (or Dema as my grandson, Mr. E, calls me). We live in beautiful Dover, NH where it snows most of the winter and the sun shines most of the summer.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I work for a large fabric and craft retailer as a merchandise manager. I love my job as it allows me to work creative co-workers and help creative customers.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At least one night and one day a week, I have the extreme pleasure of Mr. E being here. We have a ton of fun together as we play, create, garden and enjoy growing up.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I spend time every day creating something. Which leads me to my second "<span style="color: purple;"><b>A</b></span>": </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b><span style="color: purple;">Art</span></b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">In grade school I loved art class. I enjoyed cutting, coloring, drawing and painting. I was chosen to paint the Queen of Hearts on the school's library window. I didn't pursue art through junior high and beyond. Academics were more important to me.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">As an adult I always longed to take a drawing or art class. One morning on the way to work an SUV drove by advertising private art classes. I quickly jotted down the number. When I sat down at my desk I picked up the phone and nervously dialed the number. Soon I was signed up for a weekly private one hour art class. I started with sketching. I practiced and practiced, but never felt comfortable drawing. Instead we turned to painting.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">Two years into the classes, I rediscovered quilting - an art my Irish grandmother taught me when I was young. I left the art class and focused on quilting and playing with fabric.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">Fast forward to today. I now play and create art in many ways: with fiber, with fabric, with paper. I am starting to explore with mixed media formats as well. Below is a my first attempt at mixed media with a cover for a new sketch book. I used Gelatos, pens and chipboard stickers.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhsB4WBuJ_ElSg-MiUgVabG6QidyvMOFUXmclRG-qfcQxaaDW16nVWhx0Z4hLmdXXquSVLTSBxVbVPRayAQJ_wxjCSrLE1zPIm_yY9ZIngVAppwjFmoYVMLXxFaQ0I5yYxcJvpw/s1600/JournalCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhsB4WBuJ_ElSg-MiUgVabG6QidyvMOFUXmclRG-qfcQxaaDW16nVWhx0Z4hLmdXXquSVLTSBxVbVPRayAQJ_wxjCSrLE1zPIm_yY9ZIngVAppwjFmoYVMLXxFaQ0I5yYxcJvpw/s320/JournalCover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">My last "<b><span style="color: purple;">A</span></b>" word for the day is <span style="color: purple;"><b>Awesome</b></span>! That's my description of my life.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">Thanks for stopping by and come around tomorrow to see what the letter "<span style="color: blue;">B</span>" brings to this blog.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">Sweet P </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-48669425330184625202013-03-31T14:13:00.000-04:002013-03-31T14:13:22.148-04:00Can I Blog A to Z?My niece wrote on her blog this morning she is going to participate in the <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" target="_blank">A to Z Blog Challenge</a> in April. Mmmmmm . . . sounded interesting. I checked it out, mulled over it while cooking and cleaning, and decided to give it a try.<br />
<br />
My theme is Around the House. A little food, a little arts and crafts, a little family, a lot of fun.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
For now, here is Mr. E ready for Easter morning church in his new suit. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiMaJfPkPXchP2H2Na8Xtzn2LAH-R1g_nLHLKyv9rgIrARPUufXQRDS4yp4xhLDRfb_ILRGIxYGFLOZ4m_MkIpnCHpBrp3nvLpboXmrdi1e6pxmIcums3VzyekYIGmXgov1U5gQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiMaJfPkPXchP2H2Na8Xtzn2LAH-R1g_nLHLKyv9rgIrARPUufXQRDS4yp4xhLDRfb_ILRGIxYGFLOZ4m_MkIpnCHpBrp3nvLpboXmrdi1e6pxmIcums3VzyekYIGmXgov1U5gQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I hope you will check back daily to see how I show off my A, B, C's!<br />
<br />
Sweet PSweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25212042.post-30663761172730721542013-02-23T05:54:00.000-05:002013-02-23T05:54:12.366-05:00A Day Off with GrampaThis past Monday Grampa had the day off and he spent it with me and Mr. E. Mr. E was excited when Grampa hopped into the car to join us on the way to therapy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
After therapy we went to the indoor playground.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a busy place on the holiday. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu7F67ObSxSPYA-TO9mUHXjby9O6rF-JGONwrg2dUrdUMg7_Ui_QjV0sV9bTP9gKqE48xofogV41a3WXP4wsQ1HE0jj4h890OAo1KRyYPgXb27jQu5Hty1lUmhhICIYRr-UUFDw/s1600/IMG_0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu7F67ObSxSPYA-TO9mUHXjby9O6rF-JGONwrg2dUrdUMg7_Ui_QjV0sV9bTP9gKqE48xofogV41a3WXP4wsQ1HE0jj4h890OAo1KRyYPgXb27jQu5Hty1lUmhhICIYRr-UUFDw/s320/IMG_0322.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After play time it was off to Friendly's for lunch.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mr. E needed Grampa's help deciding what to have for lunch</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjztYQGcFKhnjnxPTQrr8HSkO9EmY5Fcw8qJO1bW28sjz-70Kf3Yst9DyBcBWfThio_h9BnpmKYttkroXqhjTs1-phscLbXTzri0e68L0lrJCd9of4zKJAVWs2lA0al8EijhlDXg/s1600/IMG_0327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjztYQGcFKhnjnxPTQrr8HSkO9EmY5Fcw8qJO1bW28sjz-70Kf3Yst9DyBcBWfThio_h9BnpmKYttkroXqhjTs1-phscLbXTzri0e68L0lrJCd9of4zKJAVWs2lA0al8EijhlDXg/s320/IMG_0327.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After a busy morning it was nap time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mr. E decided to nap in his tent.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's in there - somewhere!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgSpDysln-jbMPtEq9XQ1pPHpP7GCRcWIygMSclbxZ5ggb12H_WzF2VwPsmZi2JGwJrViEvnMMbhxmyPNydFdqyiNi79KeRsn0J1-7zUVG1d1ixz1j-JoMCzrSwUEPPmSctBYrQ/s1600/IMG_0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgSpDysln-jbMPtEq9XQ1pPHpP7GCRcWIygMSclbxZ5ggb12H_WzF2VwPsmZi2JGwJrViEvnMMbhxmyPNydFdqyiNi79KeRsn0J1-7zUVG1d1ixz1j-JoMCzrSwUEPPmSctBYrQ/s320/IMG_0330.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At the end of the day, he and daddy spent time playing on their I-pads.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_UA8LwkfSLXCigXmsfvp0Z0HJbry37YN-mH0DYOqxPUAJWU0RC9H2TxTFKuKdZkTFieKyzpEVSb_iqfWybK01cY8YIUpvyZtJPPfOVa8nO3Vh79OD2vKlZj37sMkhUvDnkt3uQ/s1600/IMG_0332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_UA8LwkfSLXCigXmsfvp0Z0HJbry37YN-mH0DYOqxPUAJWU0RC9H2TxTFKuKdZkTFieKyzpEVSb_iqfWybK01cY8YIUpvyZtJPPfOVa8nO3Vh79OD2vKlZj37sMkhUvDnkt3uQ/s320/IMG_0332.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This week it's mommy's turn to spend Monday with us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sweet P</div>
<br />Sweet Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06051024938738245495noreply@blogger.com0