tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261723282024-03-23T11:19:12.820-07:00Sorta FrugalIf a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is an empty desk the sign of?--Einstein, paraphrasedMom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.comBlogger622125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-59517903882191820652012-10-16T18:23:00.002-07:002012-10-16T18:24:11.613-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-76321855876156019972010-08-21T08:28:00.000-07:002010-08-21T09:21:21.193-07:00Gonna Start a New BlogI've decided to start a new blog dedicated to crafting projects. I'll still follow a 'sorta frugal' lifestyle, but lately I notice I don't write much on that topic. I want a blog that is more clearly focused.<br /><br />Meantime, one last little "Sorta Frugal" tip:<br /><br />Save your $5 bills! Ones don't add up fast enough and tens and twenties are needed for life, like groceries and school supplies. But Fives, well...if you keep stuffing them into a piggy bank from now until Christmas you won't miss them. And won't you be surprised how much cash you'll have on hand for Christmas Shopping!<br /><br />You just have to solemnly vow not to break into the piggy bank (or, in my case, a pink Owl) until at least mid-November. Not even to count how much you've saved so far!<br /><br />See you at my new blog!<br /><a href="http://1000pointsofcreativity.blogspot.com/"><br />http://1000pointsofcreativity.blogspot.com/</a>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-34034971760311879172010-08-11T14:28:00.001-07:002010-08-11T14:30:56.202-07:00Patrick and his Snail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkYr7jwN8l4ZANa4r4zJlw-NOiQaL-TPiAUAS5cCGLYN_LcUSVJEyUFCIWIiL6GD2mNYuEB6BPrcfI2IDRz4qhbW6zyVs7PRt9NB-n-_JnA7kkpVnzGpIUL8IrIOivOnnFmbt/s1600/Patrickblanket5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkYr7jwN8l4ZANa4r4zJlw-NOiQaL-TPiAUAS5cCGLYN_LcUSVJEyUFCIWIiL6GD2mNYuEB6BPrcfI2IDRz4qhbW6zyVs7PRt9NB-n-_JnA7kkpVnzGpIUL8IrIOivOnnFmbt/s320/Patrickblanket5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504267530574574866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Here is a picture of my grand nephew, Patrick, and the blanket and snail I made for him. My sister says my niece loves the blanket, and Patrick loves the snail! I'm glad to have given him one of his first 'lovies.'</span>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-31028364032890022162010-08-09T07:10:00.000-07:002010-08-09T07:20:38.939-07:00Knitting Needle Holder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41s5fmLjxBrQVhyNngSGrAaHaQUGEorcXe19g_EiosSJsGfWPM9OSR4nxzjfv7hTGgCBu3jkP7AtwfIT-N7fLTABwpFzdv09K1MnOsdZdOvHB9VxCIptF3Q-TcwlLa2IOZMSI/s1600/DSCN3442.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41s5fmLjxBrQVhyNngSGrAaHaQUGEorcXe19g_EiosSJsGfWPM9OSR4nxzjfv7hTGgCBu3jkP7AtwfIT-N7fLTABwpFzdv09K1MnOsdZdOvHB9VxCIptF3Q-TcwlLa2IOZMSI/s320/DSCN3442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503412553988227218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxxndsx77qF0V6VZ0W9jEw1N_gIS-SxNsGmqwzhtqlfraZtmy6UkkquYyinnkzp7FyxYkEMF3eGA11NEPqx3-gek0HyNr7925YoBoRn58lgr9FtNaV_nRJwuYbKzQxsMh_-CH/s1600/DSCN3441.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxxndsx77qF0V6VZ0W9jEw1N_gIS-SxNsGmqwzhtqlfraZtmy6UkkquYyinnkzp7FyxYkEMF3eGA11NEPqx3-gek0HyNr7925YoBoRn58lgr9FtNaV_nRJwuYbKzQxsMh_-CH/s320/DSCN3441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503412539329504194" border="0" /></a><br />I had these black gingham curtains in my kitchen but recently got new ones. So I cut the bottom half into dish towels (it's a nice, heavy cotton), and was left with the top half where the casing is for the curtain rod.<br /><br />So I'm cleaning out my office the other day and thinking of new projects and I suddenly realized the casing was just the right size for knitting needles!<br /><br />I cut along the casing in increments big enough to hold two pairs of needles--one goes in the casing and one goes where the ruffle would have been. I actually have enough to make a second holder if I want to.<br /><br />When I cut this, I left enough 'extra' along the edge so I could sew two of the pieces together. Then I cut a flat piece big enough to fold over the tops of the knitting needles. (I had made a crochet hook case with no top and the stupid things are always sliding out.)<br /><br />I sewed the two pieces right sides together. If I make another, I will finish the edges of the outside piece before I do this, but I just folded in the raw edge and did a zig-zag over it.<br /><br />If I get really ambitious I might put an elastic loop and button on it. But I like it as it is, for now. I'm only just getting back into knitting again so I treated myself to a set of needles!<br /><br />I'm linking up to "Just Something I Whipped Up" over at The Girl Creative. Check out all the cute things over there!<br /><a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/2010/08/just-something-i-whipped-up.html"><br />http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/2010/08/just-something-i-whipped-up.html</a>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-66425804148580896632010-08-04T11:29:00.000-07:002010-08-04T11:32:05.998-07:00Things I've Learned Recently1. Don't buy kirby cucumbers for refrigerator pickles if you don't know where the recipe is. I had to throw them out because they got all icky. I have made fridge pickles before, but this time I tweaked the recipe and actually measured things. I wrote it all down and came up with a really, really good recipe and damn if I didn't lose the stupid thing.<br /><br />2. Don't peel peaches 3 days before you're going to can them unless you have lemon juice in the house. Who knew the stupid things turn brown, like apples do? They don't last that long in this house. I ended up cutting all the brown off and now I have pretty peaches, which I am canning right now.<br /><br />3. It takes a heck of a lot of peaches, tomatoes or whatevers to fill a jar.<br /><br />4. I wish I had a pot that was about 10 inches across by about a foot high.<br /><br />Oh, well, it's all a learning experience!Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-35469522576138828322010-07-27T11:23:00.000-07:002010-07-29T09:26:38.135-07:00Home!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV01KfNythtE5e2ZhK-7dQ-th07tx-EJ3SICw8ZkRDIYXB6HcOl9QVxcXxXU-pLluZqLW6Gqjs7va707xqEkmJiy-IHxi8LqvBYyOGUjcdDLHcbftPNPhtfKjKylGu7QoGSUsj/s1600/Ohio+545.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV01KfNythtE5e2ZhK-7dQ-th07tx-EJ3SICw8ZkRDIYXB6HcOl9QVxcXxXU-pLluZqLW6Gqjs7va707xqEkmJiy-IHxi8LqvBYyOGUjcdDLHcbftPNPhtfKjKylGu7QoGSUsj/s320/Ohio+545.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498654726820641794" border="0" /></a><br />We got home last night after 12 hours of driving. We made it over the bridges in record time, unlike my poor sister who came to Long Island for a wedding a few weeks ago and was stuck for over 2 hours! (In good traffic, you should be over both the George Washington and whatever the other bridge is in about a half hour.) Driving-wise it was uneventful, thank goodness!<br /><br />Oh, except for Columbus itself, which had a bunch of detours due to either roadwork or the State Fair.<br /><br />Okay, I had a nice time at the reunion. It was amazing to see cousins I haven't seen in probably 30 years. It was better, though, seeing my siblings. We have not been together as a family since before my brother Patrick died, which was back in 2000. I'll post a picture soon.<br /><br />Meantime, speaking of Patricks, here is the blanket and toy (finally finished!) I made little Patrick Warren! Everyone went wild over it. My sister (Patrick's Grandma) and my mother (Great-grandma) will bring it to the baby when they visit this week. They live in Pennsylvania.<br /><br />I'm not kidding when I say I literally finished it on Friday. It took some finagling to make the applique but I think it looks cute. Mike did the safety eyes for me, as I was not strong enough to force them together. So Great Uncle had a hand in the gift, too!<br /><br />PS--to give you some perspective, the snail is about 4 inches across the shell, give or take.<br /><br />As I said before, the blanket is my own design, including the snail, but it was inspired by the snail amigurumi (sp?) designed by Shena Lee Hicks. Here is the link to the blog where you will find the snail pattern, plus the most adorable amigurumi ever!<br /><br /><a href="http://amigurumibyknotty.blogspot.com/">http://amigurumibyknotty.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />I am so glad to be home. Life seems easier outside of Long Island, but this is still my home and ya know there's no place like it.<br /><br />Editing to link to "Spotlight Yourself" over at "It's So Very Cheri":<br /><br /><a href="http://itssoverycheri.com/2010/07/27/spotlight-yourself-14/">http://itssoverycheri.com/2010/07/27/spotlight-yourself-14/</a>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-47662060046514141802010-07-23T18:24:00.000-07:002010-07-23T18:27:57.081-07:00Hi from OhioVisiting my mom in Ohio this week. Mike and I drove here with Nicky (the only kid who was free from work) and it took 11 hours!<br />Tonight we had dinner with my 2 sisters and brother. I think it has to be more than 10 years since we were last together. We're pretty spread around the map--Georgia, New York, Michigan and Ohio.<br />Everyone loves the baby blanket--which is finished! I have no means to put a photo on it here because I'm using my mother's desktop. Alas, she does not have wi-fi so my laptop is good only for games. I'll post a photo after I get back to New York.<br />All-in-all, a nice family trip. Tomorrow is the big Family Reunion with cousins and other relatives. I think my mother (87) and my aunt (89) will be the oldest people there.<br />Hope everyone has a nice weekend!Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-84629600594939583352010-07-15T07:46:00.001-07:002010-07-15T08:18:22.906-07:00Baby Afghan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4P4fHb5VQujRV4saqQnP82izj42cmmpeVF8nyjXCrHyzM_-6a-h0UVN-Kt4PCVRIei7-zYGW_Jq0CEvXr2Ecr1e_roNsa4377QVtm2cZCvHRjZygEPgeOfWE4M1UFvmt4VFoX/s1600/babyafghan.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4P4fHb5VQujRV4saqQnP82izj42cmmpeVF8nyjXCrHyzM_-6a-h0UVN-Kt4PCVRIei7-zYGW_Jq0CEvXr2Ecr1e_roNsa4377QVtm2cZCvHRjZygEPgeOfWE4M1UFvmt4VFoX/s320/babyafghan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494144787350521938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Here is the afghan I made for my new grand nephew, Patrick. (See previous post.) It's about 95% finished. I just have to tuck in the loose ends, then finish and attach the snail applique. I'm also making a snail amigurumi toy to go with it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">The afghan is my own design, as is the applique. The amigurumi comes from here: </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/amigurumibyknotty.blogspot.com">amigurumibyknotty.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">There are some really adorable things on this site, so check it out soon!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">I'm waiting for some safety eyes, on the way from an Etsy seller. I'll try to post a photo of both the finished snail and the blanket when it's done. I'm heading off to Ohio next week but plan to bring my laptop with me. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">I'm glad to be finishing up this project. It's always nice to check something off your list. Then I can start something else, LOL! </span><br /><br />I'm linking over to "Strut Your Stuff Thursday" at Somewhat Simple. Check out all the cute links over there!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2010/07/strut-your-stuff-thursday-with.html">http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2010/07/strut-your-stuff-thursday-with.html</a>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-65936571712417163022010-07-14T13:37:00.000-07:002010-07-14T13:40:21.296-07:00Good News!My grand nephew, Patrick Warren was born yesterday! 9 lbs. 6 oz!<br /><br />I have been crocheting a blanket for him. It's yellow with green trim. I finished the blanket part today and started the applique (a snail). I hope to have everything done to bring to Ohio next week. They live in PA, but my mother (Great Grandma!) is visiting them and she can bring it with her. All this heat considered, I doubt the kid will want a heavy blanket just yet anyway, LOL!<br /><br />I will post a picture tomorrow of the blanket so far.Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-50498850341122063472010-07-08T07:48:00.000-07:002010-07-08T08:01:30.947-07:00Baby Bird Story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBi8AcoPIAY7W2j-uhsi5Di4SwTQ4Axdz_pV3m5iNHmTBNu42mdsr7yoNOK7bQP91nNh-gUOtofSalyMp8AqJgTtzua09LQ-YZkpoL38TOsrdG-uYxcl-hEJx-VO9-3HPnhiR/s1600/BabybirdA.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBi8AcoPIAY7W2j-uhsi5Di4SwTQ4Axdz_pV3m5iNHmTBNu42mdsr7yoNOK7bQP91nNh-gUOtofSalyMp8AqJgTtzua09LQ-YZkpoL38TOsrdG-uYxcl-hEJx-VO9-3HPnhiR/s320/BabybirdA.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491547643095503170" border="0" /></a>One evening, a few weeks ago, we heard a racket in the backyard. I ran outside to find <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">one of my cats (Melody is the guilty party) had cornered a little fledgling bluejay</span>. I scooped up the baby while Jamie got Melody and Nutmeg into the house. Shadow was running around but wasn't one iota interested in baby bird.<br /><br />The mamas and aunties were freaking out and dive-bombing, of course. I waited to see if the baby would fly away but he seemed too scared.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> It got to be twilight and, unfortunately, the adult birds took off. I couldn't leave baby bird outside all night.</span> So we sat on my deck for a while. I was still hopeful he'd fly off. (Or she?) But it got darker and the bird was so comfortable<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> it actually fell asleep in my hand.</span> I couldn't bring it inside and I didn't want to just abandon it to the night (and raccoons) so I took a basket and one of those reuseable shopping bags and made a kind of 'tent.' I put this under the overhang of my house and put the baby inside.<br /><br />A few hours later, he was still there. But in the morning, he was gone--no sign of him. I looked everywhere and have to assume that, with the dawn, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">he found his wings and flew.</span><br /><br />Okay, so about a week later we hear racket again. Again with the cats! This time, the baby bird was much bigger and able to get itself up into the trees. I wonder if it was the same one? But the story continues...<br /><br />As I said yesterday, I have a bird story. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I've been hearing "Ma! Ma! Ma!"</span> all day long for about a week now. I finally spotted a young bird (I can tell because of the downy feathers) following an older bird around. He lands on a branch behind her (gotta guess this is mommy) flaps his wings and opens his mouth just like a nestling. She, on the other hand, ignores him. She is like me, a mother of 'adult' kids who's expecting them to fly off one at a time, except she's tougher than I am.<br /><br />Okay, so young birdie finally decides to descend to the grass for a peanut. I had some out there out of the shell. He must have seen the bigger birds eat peanuts this way: they put the shell under one talon and peck away to get at the good stuff. Except, he started to peck at the peanut itself. Of course, most of it fell to the ground.<br /><br />I sure hope he got at least a taste, because, in a flash, his sibling flew up to him and snatched it away!<br /><br />I wonder if it has been the same baby all along? Who knows, but I'm sure he'll be back for more peanuts as he grows!<br /><br />(If you've actually read this far...thanks!)Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-57168662538278225012010-07-07T05:34:00.000-07:002010-07-07T05:46:28.435-07:00Early Morning......in my backyard: pleasant enough to have my coffee and English muffin out there. But we're going to have another scorcher today. We're not expecting rain until at least Friday.<br /><br />Whine, whine, whine--I keep reminding myself what our heroes overseas are going through in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. I totally sympathize, but...that doesn't mean I have to<span style="font-style: italic;"> like</span> our heat!<br /><br />Anyway, back to the backyard. My favorite squirrel is back! She is the sweetest thing. She does a 'trick' where I will put a peanut in the crook of a tree branch while she waits a little bit up the trunk. Then I'll call to her and she'll come down for it. In fact, if she sees me at the back door, she'll run up the tree and wait for me to feed her! I haven't seen her in a long time. Three very young squirrels have been by but they are still timid. One will stop for a few moments, then run. I think he/she (too young to tell) might become another favorite squirrel. I'm also pretty sure these babies are my Favorite Squirrel's litter.<br /><br />I also have a cute baby bluejay story but that's for another day.Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-90896190042943287712010-07-06T13:38:00.000-07:002010-07-06T13:40:57.524-07:00It's Too Darn HotA little while ago, the atomic clock read 100.4 degrees on the deck--in the shade! Now it's down to 99.5 (think I'll get out my sweater!) but all I know is...I hate heat almost as much as I hate ice and cold! Well, at least you don't have to shovel it.<br /><br />That's today on Long Island, and we haven't had rain in roughly a week, either. You could light a fire on my lawn, it's so dry and brown. (I heard that just means it's sleeping.)<br /><br />We need rain!!!!<br /><br />How's it going in other parts of the country?Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-21175543233651850992010-07-05T10:27:00.000-07:002010-07-05T10:35:49.572-07:00Lunch with the kidsI had a nice lunch today with my two oldest. They wanted me to try a favorite sushi place. Unfortunately, it was closed. So we went to an all-you-can-eat sushi bar. I was happy we found a restaurant open on Monday, since so many of them are closed this day. The food is very fresh and they even have little notes in front of each dish telling you what time it was put out. There is also a hot food line with some Chinese and American treats, as well as another with all kinds of salads and vegetables. One of my favorite things to put on my plate is salad with ginger dressing. I loooove ginger dressing, LOL!<br /><br />Afterwards, Michael went back home and Katherine and I hit the local farm stand. I sure wish we could get fresh produce like that all year 'round. The peaches and plums are straight from heaven. The tomatoes aren't local just yet (the girl told me they will be in about a week) but they are from the family's farm in New Jersey. So long as they don't come from a factory, I'm happy.<br /><br />Speaking of all-you-can eat places, Mike and I walked in and walked out of a Chinese buffet on Friday night because they were asking $26 a person. Now, I love Chinese food, but I can't eat $26 worth of the stuff. I didn't get past the lobby (vestibule?) so I don't know exactly what they had out that was worth such a high price. We just went back to an old favorite, where they only charge $14.95 and the food is very good. Even though I'm pretty flush as far as money these days (having fewer kids in the house and a good stockpile of food) I don't want to get into wasteful habits again. And paying $10 extra per person for just about the same food is my idea of wasteful!<br /><br />I hope everyone has a great week and had a wonderful 4th of July!Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-87887757000847907012010-07-02T07:31:00.000-07:002010-07-02T07:39:50.124-07:00Do you ever yell at the TV?I do! It used to drive my oldest son nuts. (Mom, who are you talking to?!)<br /><br />I did it this morning. I was watching one of those Good Morning, America type shows. Actually, I was playing secretary and waiting for an important call for my husband. (He was outside doing some kind of garage cleaning.)<br /><br />Okay, so they have one of those 'how to cook cheap meat so it is tender' features. Nice idea. We've all done it--all of us frugal domesticas, anyway.<br /><br />He starts with a rump roast (my favorite roast, btw) and compares it to, I don't know, a filet mignon? So what was I yelling about? The price comparison was 9.99 for the rumper and 25.99 for the filet! I can get the filet's price, but...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">...what idiot pays 9.99 a pound for rump roast? Even at full price? And especially when it goes on sale for about 2.99 a pound often enough!</span><br /><br />And even worse?<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> How about 12.99 for London Broil?</span> Duh! Is it just New York City prices? They don't have sales?<br /><br />I used to be lucky enough to get London Broil (aka Top Round around these parts) for 1.99. Now I'm happy if it's under $3 a pound. But I wouldn't pay those other prices for anything, not even lobster!<br /><br />Okay, enough yelling. I just get befuddled at stuff like this. Hope you all have a safe and happy Four of July weekend!<br /><br />BTW, just for the record? Filet Mignon may be the most tender meat you can buy, but it also has probably the least flavor. That's why they always wrap bacon around it in restaurants! I would never pay for it, even for a special occasion. Our meat of choice? Boneless sirloin. I bought some for just 2.99 a pound this week and it is goooooood.Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-64060262096100188762010-06-30T07:16:00.000-07:002010-07-01T10:52:47.552-07:00Big Mac Sauce(First: please scroll down for another post featuring 'one yard wonder' projects!)<br /><br />Not the real recipe--a fakeout that tastes reeaaaally good.<br /><br />This makes about a cup and a half.<br /><br />SECRET BURGER SAUCE<br /><br />1 Cup mayo<br />1/4 C French Dressing<br />2 Tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish<br />Onion powder to taste--or about 2 T finely minced fresh onion<br />2 teaspoons white vinegar<br />2 teaspoons sugar<br />dash salt<br /><br />Mix it all up and store in a jar. Let it mellow in the fridge for a few hours to blend the flavors, giving it a stir every once in a while. Enjoy on burgers or anywhere else you'd like.<br /><br />This reminds me of recipes for Thousand Island Dressing. The difference seems to be that you use French dressing here instead of ketchup. Imagine, someone at McD's changed one ingredient of a classic recipe and created the standard for 'secret burger sauce'!<br /><br />I'm linking to "The White Blue Sky" to join in "Culinary Evolution." Hop over there for a yummy-sounding Barbecue Sauce recipe!<br /><br /><a href="http://thewhitebluesky.com/2010/06/week-7-culinary-evolution-tangy-homemade-barbeque-sauce.html">http://thewhitebluesky.com/2010/06/week-7-culinary-evolution-tangy-homemade-barbeque-sauce.html</a>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-68142095231532925392010-06-30T06:52:00.001-07:002010-06-30T07:04:48.824-07:00New One Yarders<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdMJod1BspOOVEHzE9h3rpOsxA9sr-KiuqMW3alxkbPEFMuQrTF5AVXBrZfhxjZ3pUclV1AV6rY0aYQCm7-n-xh4_HiJVeofZx_YHTQFe4ujQ9r9_o83eVu9xVLq8Wgj47LLp/s1600/Car+Acc+009.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdMJod1BspOOVEHzE9h3rpOsxA9sr-KiuqMW3alxkbPEFMuQrTF5AVXBrZfhxjZ3pUclV1AV6rY0aYQCm7-n-xh4_HiJVeofZx_YHTQFe4ujQ9r9_o83eVu9xVLq8Wgj47LLp/s320/Car+Acc+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488564494525132466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLq8yCeHEJht2o5bSGXz_iL-7fJtEEeBSkMV3SlwfvRVOFvRw54oF9cnWEynLrpLVgetVWXF8BP1rm8tBi858qMWCiwVW_JTR4TIZJuge-qq8gmLbtIQ2JrZP3xZDnK8BSSgga/s1600/Car+Acc+008.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLq8yCeHEJht2o5bSGXz_iL-7fJtEEeBSkMV3SlwfvRVOFvRw54oF9cnWEynLrpLVgetVWXF8BP1rm8tBi858qMWCiwVW_JTR4TIZJuge-qq8gmLbtIQ2JrZP3xZDnK8BSSgga/s320/Car+Acc+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488564485427636514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Here are two more projects from the One Yard Wonders book. (This thing is underlining and I don't know why--I can't even see an 'underline' icon.)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">On the left is a folder for holding CDs. I keep mine in the compartment between the front seats, but the pattern also shows you how to add elastic to put it over the visor.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The project on the right is a trash bag. The original has straps made from matching fabric, but I have a ton of ribbon so I used some of that instead. This bag has a pocket in the front. I'm not sure what it's for, but I guess I'd put plastic bags in there. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">It's tied behind the passenger seat. That way, I just have to reach back and put in my trash, and I never even have to take my eyes off the road.<br /><br />Both projects were very easy, as are most of the items in the book!<br /><br />Again, apologies for the underlining!<br /><br />PS, I'm linking over to "The Trendy Treehouse" to join in Creative Share today.<br /><br /><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/creative-share-blog-hop_29.html">http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/creative-share-blog-hop_29.html</a><br /></span></span>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-29540733383201070132010-06-25T13:33:00.000-07:002010-06-25T13:46:18.785-07:00Mike's birthday and thrifting<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">My wonderful husband, Mike, is 56 years old today</span>. We went out to breakfast this morning. I'm not sure what we're doing for dinner. We usually go out on Friday, mostly the Taco Bell or diner route. I offered to make him burgers, but we'll see what he wants to do.<br /><br />Meantime, on a totally different topic, I've been thinking of some new clothes for fall. I want to work around green, maroon (or burgundy) and beige. I can make the tops and I even have a green jacket that is almost finished. But <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I don't like making pants--they never fit right for all that work</span>--so I thought I'd just check Macy's and Sears on line to see what was in style. I also looked at some tops for the heck of it.<br /><br />Well, pants are pants. I'm pretty conservative so I'd only go for regular-looking ones, not anything with fancy embroidery or cut outs or bling. One thing I prefer is a wider waistband. It sits more comfortably against my stomach, which is hyper sensitive. (I hate elastic, btw.) So there wasn't much that was interesting.<br /><br />But the tops annoyed me. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I'm sorry...$40 for a t-shirt? Just 'cause it has a little bit of ruffling? You're joking, right? I don't care who's name is on it, it's a blasted t-shirt!</span><br /><br />Anyhoo,<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> I had about five more bags of 'stuff' to get rid of, so I headed back to the trusty thrift store today</span>. I don't usually have much luck with clothes (most of it is either too shrunken or faded) but today I decided to plow the racks.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> I found 4 tops that cost me less than $12</span> for all of them! 2 are tanks, one is a fabric of woven cotton, striped, with three buttons down the front and a collar, and the last one is a peasant blouse in knit. The peasant blouse may end up being a PJ top, but that's okay because I need one for summer.<br /><br />So here I'm posting again with no pictures. Boring! I have a way now to get my pictures on the computer from the camera, and I have a cute "One-Yard Wonder" project to show off. Next post, I promise!<br /><br />If you read this far, thank you! I tend to talk too much!Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-28695290232138413462010-06-21T06:57:00.000-07:002010-06-21T07:03:39.547-07:00Just...hiJust wanted to say a quick hello! It drives me nuts when I visit a blog I love and the blogger hasn't written in it in months. I don't want to be like that. (Not that my blog is so interesting, LOL!)<br /><br />Nothing much is new. Father's Day was very nice. The kids and I gave Mike a blue-ray system plus the movie "Avatar" to watch on it. He really enjoyed that. We had a barbecue for dinner. Mike would eat burgers every day if he could.<br /><br />Friday night, my daughter Katherine surprised us with a dinner out. I happened to have a Restaurant.com certificate for $25 at a new Italian place, so we went there. Mike and the owner have known each other for years through the gym they go to, but I didn't know that when I got the certificate. (It was verrrry cheap, btw, maybe $4? You totally have to try Restaurant.com if you haven't already. And if you use Paypal, see if they've got a deal going on.)<br /><br />I have to tell you it was one of the best meals I've ever had in my life! Certainly the best in years. Mike and I usually hit the diner or Taco Bell or Wendy's on Friday night, but Katherine insisted on someplace much nicer. You know how sometimes you treat yourself to a special place and it's such a let down? Not Martino's! I had duck in a raspberry-apricot sauce that was perfect--love the crispy skin. And, OMG, the spinach salad! Put goat cheese, cranberries and toasted nuts on a salad and I'm totally there!<br /><br />Mike enjoyed his veal parmigiana, and Katherine had a nice pasta dish with vegetables. We won't even talk about the amazing desserts. Okay, I had a piece of toasted coconut vanilla layer cake that sent me to heaven. Mike had Mississippi Mud Cake and Katherine had a Napolean.<br /><br />All in all, a beautiful treat from our beautiful daughter.<br /><br />Ha, I just realized this was a little bit more of a post than 'hi'!Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-70740336793637538002010-06-12T12:11:00.000-07:002010-06-12T12:24:33.925-07:00Ruthless DeclutteringYeah, I'm still here. Most of what I've wanted to blog about involves photos of things I've made, but I lost that wire that connects the camera to the computer. We had carpeting installed (berber in neutrals--I love it) and several rooms were topsy-turvy. I'm still looking for things despite the fact I really tried to keep it all in some kind of order.<br /><br />It flips me out how much you can accumulate. It doesn't look like all that much when it's in drawers, baskets and closets.<br /><br />Worse than the wire is that I can't find a paycheck, either. I might have to ask my boss to rewrite it for me, but I'll keep looking.<br /><br />Having to plow through all this stuff, I got it into my head to up my decluttering. <span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">As I've posted before, we'll be downsizing from 11-ish rooms to maybe 5 or 6 within the next year or two, so I have to get rid of things! </span><br /><br />I was looking at my shelves of fabric scraps. They are nicely organized by color in bins that generally match--pink in a pink bin, blue in a blue basket. You get the picture. But I've got 25 or so photo albums stored up in the attic that I want to bring down. I need a place to put them.<br /><br />So here's the ruthless part...I managed to get rid of about 90% of my scraps! Yeah, really! <span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Honestly, if you haven't used it in...uh, five? Seven?...years, you ain't never gonna use it!</span><br /><br />So donate it to charity! I have 2 huge bags of nice scraps (and I'm talking decent sized, at least to combine for a quilt or to make doll clothes) to bring to the Salvation Army Store this week.<br /><br />Not sure yet what I'll do with the empty baskets but they'll find a place or be donated, too.<br /><br />Oh, and I also got the nutty idea to clean out my crafts closet today. I reorganized, got rid of stuff and put it back in a way that makes it easier to find things. I'm not done yet, but the biggest thing I did (and here's being ruthless again) is that I cut back on my yarn by about 30%. I simply got rid of those half-balls of leftover yarn and yarns I didn't like working with. I don't like baby weight or bulky, fancy yarns. So out they went.<br /><br />The back of my SUV looks like I live in it. But my office is 75% cleaner. This is more than a one day project, but I got a good start.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">BTW: today is my youngest son's 20th birthday! We gave him a digital camera. I also bought a metal bucket at Christmas Tree Shops (cool store) that I filled with treats like Pringles chips and hot fudge sauce and candy. That made him very happy because he wasn't expecting it.</span>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-73997514009110067472010-06-01T09:35:00.001-07:002010-06-03T08:34:49.232-07:00A fancier apron<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3oIpWZS-Pfxh50Vl-jl1NCGCgzKgPFm30ADqRHJL_Yyj51pfS9CzQJK86E3UtAJOI-_CdQUVNRopz5BoRtUkHVHyxidumec8xoGMsKQBGqJ_oK6aDcbiI62YVayVwxzoos7-/s1600/DSCN3111.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3oIpWZS-Pfxh50Vl-jl1NCGCgzKgPFm30ADqRHJL_Yyj51pfS9CzQJK86E3UtAJOI-_CdQUVNRopz5BoRtUkHVHyxidumec8xoGMsKQBGqJ_oK6aDcbiI62YVayVwxzoos7-/s320/DSCN3111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477844974305696642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11w5KiSA7lxxel0gcX3myAtYvvC2qMUqPkvlQoMKqNVz_DTQ_1UT8g0xtjh_xPcN1L6nkhUjzw3WVYEUSaY-h-kqX-vp4WA5rsAeutYT0XHnj6vFZsxQqHcPufaOIUcrMI2jr/s1600/DSCN3109.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11w5KiSA7lxxel0gcX3myAtYvvC2qMUqPkvlQoMKqNVz_DTQ_1UT8g0xtjh_xPcN1L6nkhUjzw3WVYEUSaY-h-kqX-vp4WA5rsAeutYT0XHnj6vFZsxQqHcPufaOIUcrMI2jr/s320/DSCN3109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477844970202574002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You can probably guess this is no 'one yard' apron, LOL! (Click on my header, then scroll down for my clothespin apron post). Frankly, it took me forever to make this. The fault is more mine than the pattern--I am notorious for not reading instructions and proceeding on my own. This is not a good thing if something is totally foreign to you (even after 40 years of sewing). That zig-zaggy bottom was a pain in the neck. Silly me, I tried to sew it 'right sides together,' because that is what you usually do. No, in this case, you fold down the raw edge on the eyelet then lay it on top of the gingham. No twisting and turning necessary. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I like the back, although I'm not used to aprons that criss-cross like that. I have to figure out the straps when I put it on. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Oh, and that really is a Target bag on Sunny the Mannequin. I don't know what they cover dress forms with, but slipping things on and off of them is really difficult--too much traction. The plastic bag makes this easier.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I'm linking to "Sew Cute Tuesday" today:</span><br /><a href="http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/2010/06/sew-cute-tuesday-60110.html"><br />http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/2010/06/sew-cute-tuesday-60110.html</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Go pay Misty a visit!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(BTW, this is my second post today. I also posted for "Tammy's Recipes" for "Kitchen Tip Tuesday.")<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">EDITED ON THURSDAY TO LINK TO:<br /><br />"It's So Stinkin' Cute" Thursday<br /><br /><a href="http://itssewstinkincute.blogspot.com/">http://itssewstinkincute.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />Check out the cuteness on Julie's blog!<br /></span><br /><br /></span>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-42618517565484484522010-05-31T07:24:00.000-07:002010-05-31T07:32:37.635-07:00Bavarian Cream Recipe<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">This is an old family favorite that I'm making for dessert today. It's very, very easy and a nice, light ending to a meal. (Light doesn't mean low calorie, it means 'not filling', LOL!)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">You need:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1 large box strawberry Jell-O</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1/2 pint whipping cream</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">grapes, halved *</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">cut up pineapple (don't use fresh)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">cut up oranges (I'm using mandarin)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">mini marshmallows</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">You can also add finely chopped walnuts and maraschino cherries, if desired</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Like most of my mother's recipes, there are no set numbers for most of this--just eyeball it. You really can't go wrong.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Make the Jell-O and refrigerate until it starts to gel (my mother uses some of the canned pineapple juice for the water.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Whip up the cream. Fold it into the partially gelled Jell-O.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Add the fruit and marshmallows.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Chill until set, then enjoy!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">* Being 'Sorta Frugal' I refuse to pay $3.99 a pound for grapes, even though I'd only need a handful. So I'm going to try blueberries in this recipe today.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I will post a picture of this later today--it's a very pretty dessert.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For the record, it is nothing like 'ambrosia,' which is much heavier and has coconut in it.</span>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-26556450220569061182010-05-30T10:25:00.000-07:002010-06-01T05:37:27.572-07:00Prepping Dry Ingredients<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8HM8cXvhkDDFjnJWLoI27TDN8QJkNaJz6T2pm9l94htcs5Xecv7DXaOkfuIIENClaAGUFYuaNjcZHhVa7DdCMmpifuKvMRs_3bMBYxFWRXMBHlThKWHA1qQTN22aReJTKo85/s1600/DSCN3108.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8HM8cXvhkDDFjnJWLoI27TDN8QJkNaJz6T2pm9l94htcs5Xecv7DXaOkfuIIENClaAGUFYuaNjcZHhVa7DdCMmpifuKvMRs_3bMBYxFWRXMBHlThKWHA1qQTN22aReJTKo85/s320/DSCN3108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477116851066746978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I like to get my dry ingredients ready ahead of time. I've got a few bags of pre-measured flour for bread in my bread drawer, for example.</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I'm going to try a new recipe for Memorial Day. It is the Deen Brothers' Hush Puppies. I cut it from a magazine, which would either be Paula Deen's or Food Network--can't remember which.</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Anyway, the more I can do ahead of time, the happier I am. So I measured out the dry ingredients into a zipper bag. I know that people use tall glasses for filling bags, but I needed something bigger. Then I remembered this metal 'vase' I'd bought for a dollar on some clearance rack. I don't currently have anything in it. It was the perfect size for this job! Now I can fill up bigger bags with dry ingredients without making a big mess.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Don't you love finding new uses for old things? I have another one of these that I spray-painted turquoise. It holds all my little dish detergent packets!</span><br /><br />It's time for Kitchen Tip Tuesday's over at Tammy's Recipes. I have a link to Tammy's blog on my sidebar, but here's a link to today's carnival:<br /><br /><a href="http://tammysrecipes.com/node/3899">http://tammysrecipes.com/node/3899</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">BTW, the hush puppies were a total failure. Well, not total. They looked great. But they tasted horrible. I'm sure it's something I did wrong, but I'd never make the recipe again. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I did, however, make the best ribs I've ever made. My husband said, 'that's the way to make ribs.' Basically, you simply brown them off on the grill, then you put them in a big pan covered in barbecue sauce (I used Bullseye Memphis style) and cover that with foil. Then you throw them into a 250 degree oven for about 3 hours. They just fall off the bone when you eat them. Oh, and that really is two hundred fifty degrees. 350 for 3 hours would probably burn the sauce!</span>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-53608781097994599832010-05-30T10:18:00.000-07:002010-05-30T10:24:52.353-07:00Fifty Cent Patriotic Wreath<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS3HE_Xff2zbU6B77tRrP31BZmtLlleAaZ-ANdOZ528OjLPgvqitndErOAXOOLBz4mdy8LJdkNFILgW0iea96IOEtBY-h-dizQE8PkjJCDxpFSC_BD8qHR20LZbzigC254aYw/s1600/DSCN3105.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS3HE_Xff2zbU6B77tRrP31BZmtLlleAaZ-ANdOZ528OjLPgvqitndErOAXOOLBz4mdy8LJdkNFILgW0iea96IOEtBY-h-dizQE8PkjJCDxpFSC_BD8qHR20LZbzigC254aYw/s320/DSCN3105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477114242557372066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I've seen 'rag wreaths' on several blogs and thought they looked easy and cute.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">My neighbor was having a garage sale yesterday. I bought a picture frame, plus 2 wire wreath frames. They cost me 50 cents apiece.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Then I hit my stash and started tearing up red, white and blue fabric. These wreaths are so easy to make I might just have to use the other frame for another time of the year. I have so many scraps. I'm thinking autumn colors for the fall. I could keep the wreath hung up all through September, October and November. This one will stay on the wall behind my desk for the summer. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">I'll probably add more rags as I go along. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">BTW, Happy Memorial Day tomorrow. I'm sure everyone (all 3 of you) reading this has someone who gave his/her life for our freedom. I'm also sure those true heroes are enjoying barbecue up in heaven! (Yeah, I think you really live up there. Just floating around playing a harp seems boring to me. Hope this doesn't offend anyone.)</span>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-89434722930315695312010-05-24T12:20:00.001-07:002010-05-26T13:42:09.280-07:00Another One Hour Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlMIcvH-uMQAjrMdAKD68qnqG7zRm_spn_znlRfvLcEcfBGk8y3f0teny3XN2vdPI6Noat2ay-mWl958dk3lHg22RjydWgu0mKdRdD3bnDMiGZ2R77JGlAxXKpccAavub6Uid/s1600/DSCN3103.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlMIcvH-uMQAjrMdAKD68qnqG7zRm_spn_znlRfvLcEcfBGk8y3f0teny3XN2vdPI6Noat2ay-mWl958dk3lHg22RjydWgu0mKdRdD3bnDMiGZ2R77JGlAxXKpccAavub6Uid/s320/DSCN3103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474918840356579362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Here's another project from the "One Yard Wonders" book (by Yaker and Hoskins). It's called "Granny's Clothespin Apron." In my version, I used two different fabrics, but they do add up to about a yard. This fabric came from Joanne's and it was in the baby section. Brown with either pink or powder blue seems to be a color combo for bambinos these days--very stylishly cute!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">This project went together very fast. Now all I have to do is wait for a sunny day to use it. I keep my clothespins in a bag Debbie J (see my sidebar) made for me, but the clothesline doesn't move so I keep having to go back for handfuls of pins. Now I can keep them in Debbie's bag but carry them in my apron.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">I'm going to try to link up to some creative carnivals this week. Today I'm linking to "The Girl Creative" for her "Just Something I Whipped Up Monday." </span><br /><a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/">http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />I'm also linking to "Motivate Me Monday" over at "Keeping it Simple."<br /><a href="http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/">http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Edited to link to:<br /><br />"Look What I Made" at Creations by Kara<br /><a href="http://www.creationsbykara.com/2010/05/look-what-i-made-day-9.html">http://www.creationsbykara.com/2010/05/look-what-i-made-day-9.html</a><br /><br />"Creative Share" at Trendy Treehouse<br /><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2010/05/creative-share-blog-hop_25.html">http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2010/05/creative-share-blog-hop_25.html</a>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26172328.post-35345327710968232682010-05-23T10:05:00.000-07:002010-05-23T10:13:13.756-07:00An evening at the beach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXZWoxAV34f6mizprpE7bLrMh1C1yv-fAoymp5k9mLYTy9bV1rc0fJrzeHvBNzEnTQeLF964ZRKaZvtQSm1PE1HYKA6UwGLsoTYm7qrlFuivuVZ2Ki3toZbAP9uiJcLkS-tGM/s1600/beacheve2010B+%282%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXZWoxAV34f6mizprpE7bLrMh1C1yv-fAoymp5k9mLYTy9bV1rc0fJrzeHvBNzEnTQeLF964ZRKaZvtQSm1PE1HYKA6UwGLsoTYm7qrlFuivuVZ2Ki3toZbAP9uiJcLkS-tGM/s320/beacheve2010B+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474512982133141586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapUXLkx5X-MS-4PWjLCVGoloXUfPA63Am3JVp8g6c0xNhp0fk6mbPoHMXrJ3iRv4K6Rax4-uU8KfRagPdpKce61L4x4uQ6U5T9J_WFqkX3-0iDwGU-9iJdcMS1KjQD3pEGI_q/s1600/beacheve2010B+%281%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapUXLkx5X-MS-4PWjLCVGoloXUfPA63Am3JVp8g6c0xNhp0fk6mbPoHMXrJ3iRv4K6Rax4-uU8KfRagPdpKce61L4x4uQ6U5T9J_WFqkX3-0iDwGU-9iJdcMS1KjQD3pEGI_q/s320/beacheve2010B+%281%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474512972403752210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I'm not much for beaches in the daytime, despite growing up on Long Island. I hate the heat and I detest the crowds.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">But the beach at twilight? That's another story. Mike and I went last night to one of our 'state park' beaches and took a nice stroll along the water's edge. That's the Long Island Sound behind us. As you can see, I'm carrying a net bag full of shells. They are now spread out on a tray in the middle of my dining room table.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I found one piece of amber beach glass. The most unusual shell I found was a black scallop shell. I've never seen a black one and it was the only one I came across last night.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Of course, I also picked up rocks of unusual and attractive shapes. They don't look as pretty away from the beach, so I'll probably put them in mason jar of water to give them their 'shine.'</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Mike took the picture on top by holding the camera up over our heads and aiming down. I saw on a TV show that this is a good way to take a picture. It took me 3 efforts of my own to realize it makes more sense to have the taller person hold the camera--I kept cutting off Mike's head.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">BTW, doesn't he look amazing for a guy who will be 56 next month? (And he can still bench press 350 pounds!)</span>Mom2furhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919967314390699344noreply@blogger.com2