Gifts from afar

I was lucky enough to get these beautiful cards from my friend Kim Carney of Something to Say. For some time I have admired her work and look forward to her blog every day. She is not only talented but has something wonderful to look at nearly every time you click on her blog. Very prolific and she finds the best links to really great sites. Don't miss a chance to go there and see what she's up to on any given day. Amazing art, both by Kim, and whom ever she has found to link to that day. Thank you Kim for the cards and the note and the adorable tiny butterfly punch piece. Kim has made inspired artwork that uses these butterflies in a grid on a canvas. I really loved that work. I think I will frame a few of these cards into a grouping to brighten a corner of my house.

I found this small piece in The Closet of Shame and all it needs is a few lines of quilting. Doesn't get much more scrappy than this. I made it years ago. Guess you could say I have issues with finishing anything. The thing I need right now is to make a quilt for myself. The quilt I made myself years ago is awful and now getting ragged as well. It's stuffed with poly fiber and tied. Bleah! I have a very large number of X- blocks that I began a couple of years ago with the intention of making a quilt for our anniversary. The fabrics are mostly civil war repros since I was getting a monthly shipment from Keepsake of Historical fat-quarters. At one point I used some to make a table topper for someone and there are still about a hundred 6-inch blocks. I think I will make them into a quilt for myself and try something else for the anniversary quilt to be. Unfortunately, they are all paper pieced so I will grab a hand full and remove the paper a bit at a time. I really love PP but hate the paper removal. I guess next time I'll look for the paper that washes away. I think Carol Doak makes that.

It's a gorgeous day here in my world. The sun is bright and that's a good thing because the temps are arctic-like. I have a BBQ brisket in the oven . Good Day for it since it has to cook slowly and long-like pulled pork. The house smells heavenly. Later I will shred it and put more sauce on it and put it on rolls-yum.

Talk to you soon

Closet of Shame reveals more.....

Hey! Spell-check's back but you still can't format the writing where you want it to appear.

Well, the gloomy weather goes on but at least there's no snow to go with it. I swear, just under those grey clouds is a spring day waiting to burst forth. It's very warm outside(for NY in Feb) and I worked up a real sweat just walking this morning.

After my walk, I went to the Pantry to pick up the latest mail that was waiting for me and there was plenty since I have been illin' the last ten days or so. It's good to see so many people don't forget families in need at this time of year.

Here are two pieces I did very early on in my quilting life. The fans are hand appliqued (and badly) and very poofy and with the wrong thread color etc. Still, I can't seem to get rid of it. I am going to slap a binding on it and hang it up to keep me humble and boy is it ever! The other one, the flying geese was done before I had a 1/4 inch foot and got serious about how to quilt things. it only requires a couple of lines of quilting down the central beige portions to keep it from pooching when you hang it. The geese are made from pretty fabric squares I got a really long time ago. The beige is a fabric I wish I had bought yards of. It's so pretty and I think I only have a very small half yard left. So pretty.

Well, I'm off to try and figure out what to serve the guys for dinner.

Thanks for stopping by to visit. Tomorrow I will show you some pictures of some beautiful cards I got from a photographer friend who is way, way, talented. I couldn't get them loaded today. She's a genius with a camera and, clearly, I am not. Tune in tomorrow for more "As the Dee Turns"

snow & daffodils

Thanks for all the nice wishes-I'm pretty much better except for the searing pain in my sinuses that isn't helped by the very bright sun today. I felt better yesterday. The real problem is most likely the after-effects of Benadryl and cough medicine. They make me feel groggy and cranky. That'll pass in a day or two.

I'm slowly working on getting the baby quilt tied. It's not very big but I'm not very motivated so I do a square and give up.

Most gratifying right now is that my husband and son haven't caught the crud. We are all fortified with lots of Echinacea and so far it seems to be working for the guys. I think it makes the duration of the crud shorter as well. I am not a good patient. An impatient patient at best. I have infinite patience when someone I love is not well but don't extend the same patience to myself. Two days and I'm super cranky. It's been a week-don't ask!. The boys are leaving a wide berth around me for safety sake. Well, I have many things to do and probably only the energy for one or two so I'll check in with you soon. The pictures above are of the snow we got-7 or so inches, and the daffodils I got at the grocery store. They were all buds and I didn't really think they would open but I put them in a sunny window and they are a little picture of spring. Most of the snow is already gone and the temps are climbing. Can spring be far behind?

Creeping Crud

I'm sicker than three dogs with the creeping crud. Hacking and sneezing up a storm. Thanks to all who commented on the last entry. You are so sweet and you make my day on a regular basis. I'll be back as soon as I can take in a good breath without getting gaggy! Love you guys.

Baby up-date and I am from....

Well, those of you who really know me knew full well that the baby would be finished before the quilt-and thus ever remains the song of Dee.
The baby, little Mackenzie was born on the 17th and everyone is well and happier than anyone has a right to be. She is adorable with a really sweet face. Some babies are all wrinkly but not this one. Full weight and lots of downy hair. Lovely.

These last few days I have noticed that several people have done this lovely and moving tribute to where they are from. I saw my friend Terry's version this morning and it nearly made me weep it was so sweet. What comfort it must be to have such happy memories.

I have happy memories, as well as some that are not.

I am from
Good Fortune
Strong German women who could not hold onto the men that loved and feared them. Intelligent women who lived lives unfullfilled and became angry and bitter old women.
I am from desire. To leave behind such a legacy and find life anew in another country. Youthful desire, frenzied teenage women who thought little of the consequences of indiscretions or the distruction of the lives they walked over getting here.
I am from strong middle American roots. Native roots and Scottish Woodruff roots. I suspect the women were strong and died young, giving over their essence to weak men with no tolerance for liquor. I am from those men who grew tobacco and filled barns with the leaves to dry in the Kentucky heat while they sipped that whiskey.
I am from seamstresses and cooks and artists. All talents not nourished nor really appreciated until it was too late.

I am from a mother's abandonment.
From placement with a Jewish family where I learned about the beauty and practice of faith. Reverence for God
I am from banishment to a Methodist orphanage.

I am from weak-willed drunken step-fathers who pulled me by my hair and called me wicked names.
I am from beatings and worse.
I am from forgiveness and fear of failure and numbing self-doubt.
I am from a staggering fear of death.
I want my life back and I cannot have it to do over for everything would be different and, worse than fear of death, I fear the loss of what I have come to be.
I am from learning to be a wife & mother at 36.

I am from being gobsmacked at how much a small human life can change your own perspective on everything and how much better you become for it.
I am from finding the first home I've ever known right here.
I am from loving the only man who ever loved me completely without condition.
I am from gratitude, and patience, and soft birds settling in the leaves and Beech trees and 18 ft runabouts on glassy Long Island Sound sunsets and seeing the House of the Rising Sun. I am from new roots with this Irish-German family, so much of their history right here. Farmers of cattle, tillers of land and arborists of giant trees in beautiful landscapes.
From knowing that it is more important where you land than where you take off from.

I am from, at long last, peace.

Better Hurry WIP-and more flix

What the heck is up with Blogger's spell check? Very annoying and it's been this way for weeks. Bah!

I'm working on the baby quilt for my friend Pam's new grandchild who is arriving any minute. They know the baby is a girl so even though it's no big surprise-it's still so exciting. I'm especially excited since someone else gets to be a grandma before me. I am the oldest member of our little group and , for the time being, I'm not a grandmother even though some days I feel like a great grandmother. Here's a shot of the top. I am making a checkerboard border around the edges and that will get this one done and out very quickly.
I guess I made Blogger mad at me because now I can't up-load any photos. If I could, I would show you the latest batch from B---buster. I got The Tudors with a much more yummy Henry XIII that actual historical drawings and painting would show. He was considered handsome in his youth(although I think he had a horse-face)but very soon was not attractive and suffered from a number of maladies that would tend to make one cringe, not the least of which was severe halitosis and skin rashes. All that aside, I grew up with Henry being played by Charles Laughton. This Henry is, as the girl in Bl---buster said gleefully, yummy. I proceeded to leave her befuddled because she about 15 and Charles Laughton is, naturally, unknown to all but crones like me. Sweet girl though. Must come fromt he upper midwest. She had that funny way of speaking that reminded me of Marge Gunderson in Fargo...ya. Adorable child. Anyway, I also got Gone Baby Gone because something good has to come from a book that good. Also got "Once" and "No Reservations", but I'm fairly sure that it can't be anywhere near as good as "Mostly Martha" which it was a re-make of and I adored. Right now I'm popping in one of the Henry XIII and getting a move on before the little one arrives. Due date-Valentines Day, YIKES! Back later.

Weekend Up-Date

This was a quiet, but delicious, weekend. We all trooped off to the same Italian restaurant we went to for New Years Eve and, for the most part, it was very enjoyable. The appetizers were not up to par but my dinner was very good. BIL Bob seemed to enjoy his while Roger found his lacking. James & Dani ordered the chicken parm. I thought that was a bad move on their part for two reasons. Never order the same dish. Then you can't try each others stuff and I make the best chicken parm that James loves. I knew theirs wasn't going to please him that much since it most likely wouldn't be crispy. I make my breading with a combo of flavored crumbs and Panko. Crunch to the max under all that cheese. Yesterday I made a fresh pork roast and smashed potatoes with gravy and corn. Comfort food.

I watched Elizabeth The Golden Age which I really enjoyed. I have the first one and I am a total sucker for a period piece. The costumes alone are fabulous and it's history, which I adore. I'm sure it's not everyones cuppa but it sure is mine.

The glorious fabric above is one of the latest pack of the month from Keepsake. Moda's Sentimental Stitches line. Very rich, color saturated, wonderful, almost silky hand. I just love Moda fabrics. Don't know what I will do with it yet. It's aging a bit-till I finish other things.

I have resumed walking the treadmill. Doing pretty good. One day at a time.

Hope your Monday is warmer than ours(18 degrees). Winter has finally arrived on Long Island. Brrrrr A real slap in the face after the springtime temps of late. Talk to you tomorrow.

Not much Thursday

I've got nothing good to show for any reason today. Unless, of course, you want to see pictures of plumbers installing hot water heaters? Nah, I didn't think so. I am about to go into the basement to walk on the treadmill. Gearing up for re-re-start of Curves. In my current engorged state I will never make it around the circuit without falling down dead. So I'm trying to get my breathing back to some sort of normal. I heard someone on the radio this morning talk about having been to re-hab and gotten sober and clean many years ago. He commented that, in retrospect, it was an amazing thing the terrible way we treat ourselves. I believe his words were, "we treat ourselves in a manner we would never allow others to treat us" So true for me. I have every excuse in the book for treating myself badly and just who am I punishing? Why Moi! Dumbass!
Yipeee!The plumbers are leaving, as is a fist full of money that trails off behind them...sigh.
Goin' walkin'.....later gators.

So Many Celebrations

It's Primary Day, Giants ticker-tape parade, Mardi Gras, Chinese New Year, Setsubon-woohoo! Must be some sort of auspicious happening in the world. I was born in the year of the Rat. I hope this year is as exciting as many of the horoscopes I've read. I'll be happy if it is a year of good things and pleasant changes. Since I have the ever-sarcastic sense of humor, I had to laugh at the last description of my sign-holding on to things-packrat here. Definitely a good description. I was looking for something good to photograph today when I saw the hawk outside, perched in a tree nearby, waiting patiently for a small moving morsel. A few weeks ago I saw a smaller one. This one today was the Daddy Hawk. I wonder if he was sitting out there above me while I ws emptying the groceries out of the car???? I would have gladly thrown him a small piece of lamb to throw him off my track. It's a jungle out there. Making crab cakes for dinner so I better get on the stick. Talk to you tomorrow.

Twenty-Four

It's been more than I ever imagined.

Love is patient, love is kind
it does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no records of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes,

always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:1 - 8.

Happy Anniversary to us. I wish for, at least, another 24.

Yesterday, we went to the annual Superbowl party at our friends house. Since they are big-time Giants fans, you can imagine how the festivities unfolded there. The only bad part of the whole day was that I picked a place to perch that had a banquet-sized dish of really good potato chips. I never eat them anymore because they are salty and make my hands, feet, and legs, swell up like big fat piggies. I am currently typing with my little pink hooves. Never do that again. Anyway, the really amazing part of the whole day was that I not only watched a football game, but we left at 4th quarter and I came home, turned on the tube and watched them win. They must have put something in my soda. I normally loath football but found myself getting nervous in the last few minutes when it appeared that NY was losing. I'm going to chalk it up to television being just that bad. Anything new looks good-even, gulp, football.

We will not be going out to celebrate this evening. Waiting for the weekend and BIL Bob to take us out for dinner. He's leaving on a jet plane for chilly Chicago for a 2 day meeting.

Gotta go now and make something for dinner and have more water...lots more water. Hope I can flush out some of this salt. I feel downright preserved(but not in a good way)

Talk to you tomorrow when I hope Blogger is less weird. Can't use spell check and can't make it space the way you want it to look. I'm beginning to really dislike them. Bah!

Credit where credit is due

I really can't take credit for this and I don't want to blame Mel for it either. In the bag-o-scraps I got, so generously, from her were a few components already fused together so several of the things in here are pieces and parts taken from those. I kept having frady-scared thoughts and walking past the envelope without attempting even the slightest thing. This morning I decided to just go ahead and play. I'm not trying to be Mel and so I keep thinking that it's just a bad to wind up with blatant imitaion but then what else can one do to begin and get over being afraid of the whole fusing thing?

I had a few fabrics I had purchased last year from her collection that had never been used. I just began to lay things out early this morning. It is now noon and I haven't done a thing but brush my teeth and comb my hair. This is where the guilt comes in. Threw a load of stuff in the washer and went back to look again. I must resist the urge to use EVERYTHING just because it's there. Melody has a good entry in answer to a readers question regarding inspiration(strange question though). I don't need inspritation-I need the room to play with this stuff without having to bag it all up at the end. There is another idea that's in the works but I don't want to show it yet-in the meantime this reminds me a little of playing with Legos. It's addictive and you have to smack yourself on the hand to stop re-arranging things over and over. It would be a good thing to have a space large enough to be working on a couple of pieces at a time. Spreading out the wealth as it were. It's a lot of fun and I see now where the "doing it" engenders bravery. You just have to jump in with two feet. I plan to do a bunch of stitching on this when I can and maybe it will look better. One of my original ideas was I wanted to make a piece that was an interpretation of the outdoor markets in so many foreign places. Spice markets, flower markets, fruit & veg, well it didn't wind up that way but for a first effort I don't hate it. It need embellishment-lots of embellishment. I must now catch up with other things. See you later.

Addendum

The stacks are stacking up! Can't stop....must do important work around house.....

Nothin' wishy-washy goin' on here

Well now...lookee what the postman brought me. A fabulous scrap-bag from the Color Countess of Tennessee. I have been running my hands through the yumminess and playing on this gray day. Maybe I'm not going to wind up being all that beige. I need to make a little space devoted to sorting because these fabrics are already fused and the Countess reminds me to clean my glasses or I will end up with a big blob of goo on the iron. While I was in the cleaning phase(an on-going and eye-opening event) I found some further proof that I have an, albeit recessive color gene. I forgot about these bright blue blocks.

Just the thing to overcome the gray blahs. It's not snowing but it is very damp and chilly. I'll take that over snow though. Up here on the hill snow removal is an all day affair for the guys. I keep hoping that someday they will awake in a blinding flash to realize that there are people you can hire to do the work for you. Won't hold my breath. When I win the big lottery-I'm going to hire many assorted and talented people with tools to finish the 300 things that need doing around here. You know, the things that we'll get to next year. I could keep a good sized army of men and women busy laboring around here for months if not years. Roof, windows, yardwork, snow removal, painting, floor installation....Ahh, I dream, and in color!

I rented a charming and unusual movie. It's not a regular ovie with a plot/story as such. It's 12 little short pieces about love in Paris called "Paris Je T'aime" Some of the stories are only a few short minutes and some are very sad and others very strange but more often than not, they are touching and sweet. I real enjoyed it. Each scene takes place in a different section of Paris and each by a different director. A huge number of stars mostly European but Willem Dafoe, Natalie Portman, Ben Gazzara, and Gena Rowlands are a few. There is a scene with character actor Steve Buscemi in the Paris Metro that is both hilarious and scary at once. Something different and, of course, the real star is Paris. Some french spoken but not that much. The only piece I didn't like was about Mimes. They annoy me.

Talk to you soon.

I've become beige

When we were first dating, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I remarked to my husband that everything he owned was beige. His is an engineer-beige is the national color of engineering. He's not a beige person. He's colorful and funny and best of all, he loves me like a rock(earworm). As I dig my way through the fabric detritus of my life and work to date I have come to the awful realization that I have now become beige. Beige walls,beige floors, beige backgrounds, beige borders, wow...what the hell happened to my artistic spirit and when did I get to be so boringly safe. Granted, pale colors often punch up the surrounding colors but geeez louise, I'm sick of myself. It's probably the time of year as well. If it's not beige, it's gray.

The main reason is this. Hop on over to Jan at Be'mused, go ahead I'll wait.....Jeopardy music......See the gorgeous house blocks with the cheddar yellow sky. How cool is that anyway? Granted, Jan is a genius with color and it flows from her like a rainbow, but why Oh WHY can't I get back my color muse. I must be bold and go where I have not gone before(for a while). I must remember that there are many shades and pigments and even hundreds of shades of...gasp...beige. Some where in the last few years I got stuck in the netherworld that lurks between art and craft. I wanted to make things that worked in my house and as gifts for like-minded friends back then and I was hit over the head by the Coloring-in-the-lines Fairy. I've really got to get that bitch off my back. I, too, can imagine cheddar skies and Kaffe-like backgrounds. Is it because I'm lazy AND afraid? I think some of that is true as well. I am taking the no-beige pledge for my next piece. I will drown that awful Fairy in color. Stay tuned!

P.S. Still no thread-beige or otherwise.

Still more blah....

Waiting on the Mailman & Eye Candy

I have many things to get done today since the weather is expected to get ugly soon. These lovely threads are from a photo taken in a market in Morocco. Yummy silk thread in delicious colors. My shipment didn't come yet from Hancock's so I'm still threadless in NY. When I went to open my blog for writing this morning I saw that a new entry was made to the Studio. I just have such admiration for someone who can turn out a piece like this. I know many people have done the Dear Jane quilt but looking at it is like looking at a piece of history. It's really lovely. This one was done by Debby of Quiltnbee fame. It's a beauty. I hope she doesn't mind my giving the link but after all the work that went into this quilt, she deserves a shout out..wOOt.

I'm off to the store and Pantry and elsewhere. Back soon.

Crimson Morning

Even though it means "red sky at morning, sailor take warning", this was a beautiful sight. The color took over the sky in minutes. It means we will get that icky mess this afternoon of snow and rain. Hopefully it will be more rain than snow. Since the current temp is 27, I'm fairly sure I know which of the two it will be.
There's not a lot going on in my neck of the woods right now. My husband was off yesterday for Martin Luther King Day and we celebrated by doing virtually nothing. Watched a great old movie on the morning. "The Lady Eve", with Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. That movie is from the 40s and laugh-out-loud funny. I was pleased to find that Roger enjoyed it too. Spent the rest of the day loafing around. I would have finished the baby quilt but I came to a horrifying discovery-I'm out of thread! Well, I have thread but it's crappy stuff that my machine doesn't like. I usually use Mettler or Guttermann and I've got none of either. Because it's a little chilly(ahem) outside I would rather not make a trip way out east and a trip to the nearest Quilt shop would tempt me more than I can afford and more than I need-I think I will order some from Hancock's and just wait a day or two. Lord knows I have plenty to keep me busy in the meantime.
That said, I better get to it. Back soon with pictures-Hope your day is a good one.

Addendum to the Thread Shortage....Hancock's of Paducah has a sale on Mettler and King Tut. The thread is in the mail.

Keep it simple stupid!

Not sure what's up with Blogger this morning but I'll try again. I already wrote this post once and thought it was saved but no. In a moment of stunning clarity I decided to just keep it simple with the baby quilt. After all, the baby is not even born yet and will probably blurgh all over this thing a million times so a complicated and artistic design makes no sense at all. I will layer it and tie it and then this sucker is out of here. It was fun working with pretty colors though. Not sure why the picture is coming out so fuzzy looking. The original photo isn't fuzzy so I suspect that it has something to do with the uploading service which shall remain nameless.
I have a haircut and some errands to run this morning. Did anyone else watch American Idol last night? I can't remove the image of that hairy guy with the cape and breastplate from my mind and it's burned into my brain. The horror! I'm a little ashamed to admit that I only watch the try outs. After that the program is of no interest to me whatsoever. The try outs are a masterpiece of strangeness though. I have to say that Paula Abdul looks as if she went to re-hab successfully this time. The girl looked positively coherent for a change but then it's only episode 2. Stand by.....
I better get going if I hope to get anything done this morning. The tricky part this a.m. for me is getting in and out of the Village without being seen. There is a monthly meeting to do with the Pantry that I was trying to avoid that, unfortunately, happens to take place next door to where I need to make a stop. I must be stealthy or go later this afternoon. I will blame my computer for not getting notification of the meeting. These so-called meetings have become a dog and pony show for the local politicians to come up with great ideas to "help us". Imagine how much fun that is and let me say further that not one idea from any of them has helped in years. The last great idea they had was to photograph the needy coming in to get their food and get those pictures in the local paper to "advertise" the Pantry. They don't get it at all. Anyway, I thought I'd dispense with the meetings in an effort to miss whatever brain farts they have come up with this month. Lord knows I'll hear all about it from my partner in crime as she vents for an hour or two in the coming days.
O.K. I will now don my super secret cloak of mystery while practicing things to say when important people you haven't seen for a year appear in front of you on line at the grocery store and wonder why you didn't make it to the meeting. I will barely be able to speak-sore throat-back away slowly. Highly infectious-throatyfeveritis. *grin*

Meaningful changes

I spent the early morning playing with a re-design of the header sent tome by my very funny and very talented friend, Mrs. Mel. Since I have to fumble along with this blogging thing I just assumed that whatever blogger did with your picture was what you got. I received 3 versions of the header pic and this was the funny one that most applied to my current status as a lapsed quilter. Funny enough, today I will be working on a baby quilt for a little one due in Feb. I better get on the stick eh? I love working with girly colors so this should be just pure fun. I'm making a simple log cabin in sweet colors. Hopefully I'll have something to show very soon. talk to you soon.

From the Sublime to the Ridiculous

My Darling Photgraphy Staff(Hi Guys) got this shot of the harbor for me over the weekend. I liked the pictures so much that I decided to use one for the header. Maybe I should also change the name of this blog to Thea Quilts(but not much). I can't believe how hard a time I'm having getting back into the swing of things. I just had so many things I let slide around the hovel that I couldn't go on without attacking the mess. Seriously, it looked like a fabric explosion in the closet, which is generally in pretty bad shape anyway given my lack of concern with hanging things up. Well after numerous days of chucking stuff and the eternal search for "the mythical bottom", I'm still looking at a couple more days of discovery and rejection. I can't believe all the crap I have. Shame...really shame on me. Anyway, I thought I'd just check in and let you know that I have not gone missing-at least not in the true sense of the word. In reality, I simply cannot work on anything until I take at least a stab at being organized. I managed to find a few things that I had forgotten about that are, of course, unfinished. I would show you pictures but I went to use the camera yesterday and it told me the card was full. I will ask my favorite engineer to help me with that later. What I can show you is how neat and tidy I boxed up some fat quarters that were, literally, looking like confetti on the closet floor. I managed to twist my foot and ankle a bit getting off the pull-down attic stairs yesterday so today will be an attic-free day. I remain Grace personified.

It still looks pretty bad but I can't tell you how much better this mess looks than it did. Scary huh???

Well, time for some lunch and back to work.

I did want to thank my friend Grazia in Rome for the "Make my Day" award. Rather than naming any individual people this time I will just say if you're reading this, you make my day. I have so many wonderful and talented people with blogs I read regularly that I just can't single out anymore people. Thanks so much for stopping by to read my blather and sticking around even though I have clearly fallen into a creative abyss. Hope to climb out soon.

I Give You....The bird

Lookee what flew in and landed on my plant table. It's a most adorable Terrybird. I'm so thrilled with this little guy that I just keep going back and checking him out constantly. I'm not sure why I refer to it as a him, but it just fit that way. Male birds are most often the most beautiful anyway so a he-he shall remain. Thank you so much Terry of And Sew It Goes. This little bird is constructed so well it's amazing. I keep looking at the minuscule stitches and how he's put together-what a great job. I fully expected to love whatever you sent as part of the PIF but getting this is doubly sweet.

Not doing much today except for various cleaning projects that have languished for months. Before Christmas I shoved(literally)things into big bags and thought I'll figure this all out in January when it's 3 degrees and I can give it all my attention. It's still spring outside in Jan. in NY so I guess I better just forge ahead or I'll never get back to making anything. The area I'm de-cluttering is what is laughingly called my "studio". It's really a corner of my already messy bedroom or what I now call "the pile". There is not a lot of room for working there anyway but right now I need to find the bottom. The only interesting part of this type of clean-up is that it's like an archaeological dig. I will find things that I couldn't live without and have been buried for months. Wish me luck and send out the hounds if you don't hear from me soon.

And finally, great big smooches to Terry Grant.

Holiday Bounty & Book Talk

Ain't it great to have friends. Not to mention generous family. Last night was the Thursday Night Quilt Club. We hadn't gotten a chance to get together all December. That's not unusual-we don't meet then because everyone is so busy. In the past we have gone out to dinner but last night we decided to just visit with each other and glom onto the goodies. My friend Pam gave me a couple of things but this lovely little panel is the sweetest thing. It's really pretty and these pre-printed things are a snap to put together. I've been looking for something different for the kitchen wall. This will do just fine. My pal Terry gave me these earrings(sorry for the pic quality, I couldn't get the glare out)and they are very pretty. They are made from gold, copper, and silver. I really like them a lot and they're not heavy.

The other day I took a trip to Borders to see if I could find anything to spend my gift cards on(heh). I got several of my favorite old movies and an interesting book about Lady Jane Grey. I am currently absorbed in reading about history. It's not bad but I just started it so I'll let you know. I threw in the "Kabul Beauty School" even though I didn't buy it the other day. I wish I could recommend it more but I came away from it with mixed feeling. I didn't think the woman was a very sympathetic character and I'm not sure why. It was interesting but she just turned me off with certain attitudes. I'd give it a meh, and no more.

These two are a couple of books that I read reviews of and thought they might be good. They're not bad but I wasn't crazy about them either. "Queen of Fashion" is about Marie Antoinette and her clothing and fashions of the day and how they affected politics with regard to her head coming off becasue of what she wore. It's o.k. but becomes tedious when they go into almost too much information. For a book about fashion I was looking forward to more pictures and there are not that many. "Veil of Roses" is a book about a young woman who comes to America from Iran and needs to marry before her green card expires. It, too, is o.k. but no great shakes. It's kind of a sweet story with lots of information about dating an Iranian woman and how culture shock affects her relationships with various Americans. It's interesting but I'm in the mood for a book I can't put down and that is rare lately. Haven't had that since "The Space Between Us" & "The Kite Runner".

I have vowed to get out the mighty Viking and sew something so I'll go and get myself dressed. I was awake at 4 am this morning for some unknown reason so I'm not sure how much energy I can maintain but we'll see. Hope your day is a good one.

Stuff & Nonsense, with laundry

I've always been suspicious that there are some strange goings on with the laundry. Sometimes when I close the door there's something similar to #4 and then in the morning it looks like #6 or 7. Hmmmm. The strange case of the multiplying clothing pile.

When we built this house, my thoughtful husband made the plans for the master bath a little larger to accommodate a washer & dryer. The idea was that since I had back problems-the laundry would be virtually a snap since it's a hop, skip, and jump away from where it has to go. Rather than break what was left of my back running up and down with it from the basement. All in all, not a bad idea. Here's where the story takes on a life of its own. There is never, EVER, a time when all the laundry is done. I could do laundry all day-till the boys get home this evening and not a piece left(if only) and not an hour later...well...you know. hat's just the way it is. But I sure would like to know what goes on in that room over night.

Today is another glorious day in January in NY. I don't want to evaluate why or think about the reasons this may be happening. I'm just going to try to appreciate walking outside in my shirtsleeves and listening to the birds. They, too, are confused but happy sounding. I need a haircut desperately so I am off to try to wheedle an appointment in a hurry. I always let it get to dramatic proportions where it makes me feel un-tidy and wretched looking. I'm there now. My haircut is called a wedge. It resembles what Dorothy Hamill used to wear. In truth it looks very much like Terry Grant's. Short, gray-blond and a bit poofy, then verrry clean all around my ears and neck. My hair is now all over my neck and has no shape left. Agh! I hate that and I can't stand to fuss over hair stuff in the morning. When there's no shape I have to do something with it. Otherwise it's wash and wear. Why Oh Why do I wait till it's horrible?Anyway, I'm off to appreciate the temps. and some errands. See you round the dryer.

It's January...right?

What a rare day in January in New York. It's 60 degrees out and the sun is shining. I just couldn't waste this opportunity so I got myself dressed and headed off to Target, Borders, and a finish at the grocery store for a few items. I never made it to the beach to take some pictures but I found these old pics the other day. They were taken in the late 18 & early 1900s. That pretty little lane there is the main road that runs parallel to our house. It's now a main thoroughfare and the road to one of the beaches on the bay side. You turn one way and find yourself at the Sound looking at Connecticut and the other way you find yourself on a stretch of beach that doesn't look that much different than this picture. The only thing missing are the shots of the million dollar McMansions that crept in during the later part of the last century. It's all private now, except for the small public areas. When I was a very young woman I had many friends who lived on this beach and there were always parties in the summer and fall. Of course we had to defend ourselves from the Dinosaurs that roamed the earth then.

I mulled over the concept of staying home and sewing today but once I opened the windows and felt the warm spring-like air I was lost. I know this will all be over in a few days. Especially since last week at this time it was 12 degrees out. So, I'm going to make a cup of tea and read a magazine and make some dinner in a while. Rain tomorrow, but still sort of warm. I'll take it as it comes. This must be what it's like to live in California. I'd be happy to just have 50s for the winter. I'm wearing a linen blouse and walking around outside-works for me.

Happy Dance & Bloggety Goodness

What a great Monday this is turning out to be except for the fact that I can't open Gerrie's blog or leave a comment for her. Don't know what that's about-hope it's better soon. I'll try again to link to her later

First I get a "you make my day" award from Gerrie. What's really so wonderful about it is that she put me in with a group of really talented women and I'm thrilled to be mentioned in the same sentence with all of them. Must stop blogging and sew something soon.

Then, as if that were not enough cool for one day, I open Terry's blog and find myself the soon-to-be recipient of one of the lovely birds that she has made.I was lucky enough to be one of the 3 PIF recipients. This means a lot to me since I was not lucky enough to be able to buy her "Bird & Rice Bowl" which is so beautiful. Some other lucky New Yorker got her hands on it before I could.

Anyway, this is just the best day.

The sun is shining and it's 55 degrees in January in NY.

Now I'm supposed to give the award to 10 people that make my day and tell them on thier blogs about it. I really don't like picking out people. The only way I can do this is to pick people who are the first ones I read daily and the ones who have made a difference in my day so often. Anyway, here goes. Along with Terry & Gerrie,

http://vermontquilter.blogspot.com/ Dorothy-wicked funny-great talent

http://debrichardson.com/blog/ Red Shoes Rambling Deb-great writing as well as sewing.

http://fibermania.blogspot.com/ Mrs. Mel-very cool, very dear first blog I ever read so it's all her fault

http://exuberantcolor.blogspot.com/ Wanda- the prolific & unbelievable talent

http://www.tommythematerialgirl.blogspot.com/ Tommy-fun all around

http://with-heart-and-hands.blogspot.com/ Amazing entries, fun, informative Michele

http://yarnstorm.blogs.com/ Just plain breathtaking photography, needlework, and a recently published writer-

http://tttl1998.blogspot.com/ Tanya in Japan-fabric & Japanese culture

http://www.littlesomethings.blogspot.com/ Kim-everyday something new and exciting to see. Fabulous photography

http://rianammermanstudio.blogspot.com/ Rian-amazing artist-with recipes too. Her piece called "Chinese Gothic" still gives me goosebumps.

Wow, I really hate making lists. There are so many other wonderful blogs I visit that make me smile and are so talented. It feels a bit like Jr. High to have to pick only 10. The first blogs I open each day are Gerrie and Terry(rhymie, heh). They up-date almost daily and always have something to teach me.

Thanks, ladies, for the gifts you give each time I check in on you all.

Brrrrrrr

While yesterday was spent wading through the detritus of the holiday-today will be spend with the Super Sucker. When the sun is shining, as it is today, there are vicious looking dust demons living in and around every nook and cranny in the house. Of course it helps that it's 12 degrees outside with a wind chill of -5(cause I needed to know that to complete my day) which means I have no desire to venture out for any reason or any thing. To complete the cycle of crazy weather in the northeast, it seems that by Saturday we will be up around 55. Lets see-everyone with bronchial pneumonia, raise your hands. Last night on the news, in an effort to make you fraidy scared (medical term) they said the Norovirus is making its way out here to the Island pretty darn quick. Nothing gets the hair up on my neck like the threat of a lengthy bout of praying to the porcelain gods.

It's day three of January and I'm sick of politics already with nearly a whole year to go. Gad! Does anyone think they may decide to actually discuss any of the issues in the near future. It's tabloid politics and fear mongering-that's all the press is interested in and they claim that's all we're interested in. Obviously they didn't ask me. I don't care about that crap-I care about what the person is going to do to lift us out of this gigantic black hole that this administration has dropped us into.

Well, there it is for today. I have located some redwork I put away in Dec. and plan to work on that later while I watch a movie or something. I have my Christmas movie bonanza that I haven't watched yet. Maybe I'll watch "Bell, Book, and Candle". There's a scene where the stars are standing on the observation deck of the Chrysler building that reminds me of a lovelier time in the world. People without a care, in love, enjoying the dawn in a skyscraper in Manhattan. There's something I can't imagine anymore. But I can remember.

Hope your day is warmer than mine and peaceful.

I need the cleaning lady to arrive NOW

The mess is so big around here that I need these two ladies to come and sort it all out. I had one of those moments where you just stand in the room and spin because it's so overwhelming. That's how it is in every room. I guess I just need to make a list and check it thirty or forty times.

It's not a big help that I woke up at 3:30 am and couldn't get back to sleep so now I could sleep for hours. I will press on nevertheless.The tree and all Christmas stuff needs to go first so I will tackle some portion of that today. If I can manage I need to do some serious laundry and believe it or not, I still haven't wrapped the gifts for the Quilting Friends. We might be getting together tomorrow so I better make that a priority.

We had a quiet day yesterday and a fairly simple dinner except for the part where I cooked two meals since we have picky people and I was feeling generous. Seriously, James and Dani wouldn't have eaten the pork loin stuffed with onions, garlic, and goat cheese so I made them chicken Parm. I'm going to figure out something simple for today-I'm all cooked out.

The house is quiet-the boys are all off to work-things will shift into winter mode now. I'm itching to get back to the sewing machine but I need to catch up with other things so, for the time being, I'm (gulp) the cleaning lady. Talk to you soon when I will hopefully be able to go back to having a thing or two quilty to talk about.

Last things wrap-up

I'm playing with the blog possibilites so sorry for the new look every ten minutes. I'll settle down soon and make a decision.

I think for a New Years resolution I should learn how to take a decent picture. Sorry for the poor quality-I was probably too close to the ornaments. These delightful things were a gift from my son's girlfriend, Dani. We are big fans of penguins and Hippos. They're just two of natures most awkward creatures and so much fun to see. Dani is also a fan so I am thankful she was willing to part with Miss Priss in the Tubby for me. I smile every time I see her....and Dani too!

My husband got me the Quilt National books for 2006 and '07. Without my asking for them. How lucky am I? That about wraps up my treats for this year. I'm most grateful to have a wonderful family. We have sort of an extended family in this house and while everything is not always perfect-it comes very close to heavenly for me. We are very fortunate to have personalities that jibe very well and I feel protected and appreciated. That's my best gift.

Yesterday I had a foreign film festival. Three delightful and sweet movies that I've been meaning to see for a while. Since there isn't a single thing to miss on tv I watched 2 during the day and one last night. For any of you that are fans of "The Practice" in it's original form with Dylan McDermott, I can highly recommend a sweet little movie called "Mistress of Spices" It's a sort of fairy tale for adults and the scenery is so luscious you could almost climb through the tv and be there. It's nothing deep and meaningful, just pure escape and fun. The second movie is called "The Namesake" it's about an Indian family through a few generations and how they bring the family to America to make a better life and the pitfalls of human nature. It's the first movie that made me cry at the end for a long time. Just beautiful and, again, in the Indian tradition, very lush and colorful. Last, but not least and in the escapist vein, "Bread & Tulips", a movie that has been around for a while that I just never got around to seeing. I recommend it highly, but not if you're fed up with your family. The theme is a wife escapes from her ordinary life with a no-good husband and finds a new life in Venice.

We are having our traditional New Years Celebration of dinner at Intermezzo...mmmmmmm Clams casino-gnocchi Bolognese. That's perfection. Mimosas for midnight and sleep ten minutes later. I hope yours is as delicious and your New Year is healthy, happy, and peaceful.

memoriam

There are not enough brave leaders in the world. Now there is one less. In a world where women are considered property and of little consequence, where men torture and kill in the name of God, this woman was a shining light and example of what leadership should be. I thought a couple of weeks ago, about how brave it was to return and resume her efforts to bring freedom to all her countrymen and women. Here is what happens when women of strength and perseverance become powerful in places where faith is another word for fear.

Sorry, I don't usually make too many political statements on the blog but this is just too sad to remain quiet about. I have followed Ms Bhutto's career with great interest for a long time. It was good to see her smiling face and grace again, for however brief a time.

Loot Baby, Loot!

I hope you all had as wonderful a Christmas as I did. As usual, my very generous family came through with great things to entertain through the dark, depressing, days of winter. A couple of months ago Roger got a dvd thingy(tech term) so I could watch movies in the kitchen on the computer. I sew at our kitchen table and so watching something other than daytime tv is a mental health necessity here. Being a movie buff, I love the old ones best and so they gifted me several oldies that are favorites of mine. There used to be a great old movie station on tv but some idiot, in all his wisdom, decided that the station needed re-vamping and now you can see the same 12 movies, all day. for days at a time-cause I'm sure that's what the public wants...NOT! Anyway, in that station shake-up they fell prey to Ted Turner who bought up nearly all the great old classics and made himself a cable channel for them. I was bereft. Since we are already paying an arm and a leg for cable and Internet, we will not be subscribing to premium cable where all my favs are currently residing. My BIL Bob got us a flat/wide screen for the computer so now I can watch them at my leisure....Whoop whoop! I asked for the Preston Sturges film collection because it contains 2 of my all-time favs. "The Lady Eve", with Barbara Stanwick, & "Palm Beach Story" with Claudette Colbert as well as "Sullivan's Travels" & "Baby Face" two of the great feel-good movies of all time. Roger also got me a copy of "Bell, Book, & Candle", a big favorite as well. Yesterday I was at Buckbuster(heh) and found a couple of other movies that had been suggested to me by a friend. I am set for a while-let the sewing begin. To finish off a perfect holiday, my thoughtful husband got me a bright red cashmere scarf that is so soft I never want to take it off and Borders gift cards- I am truly blessed.

On the dark side-my house looks like it has been ransacked. There is not a square inch of space that doesn't have something on it. BIL Bob got us a big screen tv that takes up a huge portion of the living room. We haven't figured out where to put the old one yet so it's sitting next to the new. The picture on the new one is amazing though. In any case I must go and try to wade through all the stuff and, frankly I'm ready to clear the decks. Yar!

I thank all you lovely people who stopped by to visit and sent nice wishes. We are going our for dinner with several friends to the annual New Years dinner-very yummy Italian.That will about wrap up the social stuff for a while and I'm sure the weather will turn to typical January temps soon. Right now it's like spring outside but I know it's just the calm before the literal storm. I'm looking forward to getting back to sewing, Curves, and peaceful days-talk to you soon.

Merry and Bright

I want to wish all of the sweet people who take the time to come here and read my rantings, a very Merry Christmas. I hope you are filled with the spirit of peace and that you get all that you desire for yourselves.

Things around here got off to a really generous start with my BIL Bob delivering us an early Christmas of a new big, flat screen, digital TV and a new flat screen monitor( I can see...I can see!) for this computer-so we are in the midst of the annual engineering projects. Not to mention finding a place to put everything(that thing is very big) I'll be back in a day or two after we have sorted out the logistics and, frankly, collapsed in a heap from the Christmas Eve lobster tails and the Christmas day turkey. Boy, will I need to do some exercise to work all that stuff off. Never mind...I'm going to drink some Mimosas and party a little. Blessings of the day to you and yours.

The days just seem to blend together faster and faster. Who do you see about turning off this blender we find ourselves in??? I know from reading other blogs that we are all experiencing some sort of fast forward in time. It doesn't help that every media outlet is yelling about how little time is left before Christmas. Anyway, after several trips to book stores, department stores like Macy's(really scary)and more trips to the grocery conglomerate than I care to think about-shhhhh....I think I'm done. I know I feel done, but I actually think I'm really done. In the past I have snorted and sniffed at people who begin shopping in October-I will really make an effort to not set foot into a store after Thanksgiving next year. Really! Stop laughing back there.

Anyway, I think all is peaceful for the time being and even the weather is just fine. It warmed up a bit again and the ice dam in the driveway is finally melting. I spent the better part of today finishing the hem on a table topper for a friend-and cleaning the house. It's not sparkling but It'll do for now. Pot roast in the pan and packages to wrap. Other than that, I'm going to sit down and probably fall asleep in seconds.

I hope everyone is not too frazzled and finding some time to just sit quietly and appreciate how nice life can be. Take care, talk to you soon.

Everythings a WIP & a Blast from the Past

Sorry for the poor quality of these shots. Thay are photos that I scanned a while back & they are clickable.

Since I have nothing to offer but a bunch of un-finished stuff and I need to get going, I thought you might enjoy a couple of silly blasts from the past. For several summers we would rent a place in Lake George. This is a shot of James and me in front of the Lake with the Mini-hah-hah sailing behind us. Dig those gigundo earrings!!! Looks like I was auditioning for the part of the Pirate Queen eh? I think James was most likely around 5th grade-middle school era. So that puts us somewhere in the 90s. That also puts me many pounds lighter and not gray. James has always been able to make me laugh so much. I've been blessed with a couple of guys who are fun to be with. In the smaller(clickable) photo, James is illustrating his confusion regarding his musical abilities. Funny enough though, he wound up being a percussionist-drummer. He does still play guitar and I love hearing him play. He has a couple of electric guitars but I love to hear him play the acoustic one. Anyway, he had been to a birthday party where the decorations were all blow-up musical instruments. He's a one man band that boy of mine!

I've got to get going to the....gulp....Mall. It's m plan to be there when Sephora opens so I can get a gift certificate for Dani. Then I'm hightailing it out of there since the Mall experience is frightening without it being Christmas. My friend Terry is home today so I will head to Curves and then to her house to have a cuppa. She rarely gets a day off during the week so I don't get to see much of her lately. I still need a gift for her and my other quilting buddy Pam so there is that to do. Somehow it never ends. Take-out Chinese for dinner today. One less thing .

Hope your day is peaceful

Roger & James 0-- Tree 2

From the look of these two bodies under the tree it looks like a call to CSI is in order. Nevertheless...the tree is up and so are we. We like everything about the tree except that it doesn't smell like Christmas. It's very nice once you get the branches all fluffed out and everything in it's place. It sure is funny when you put the bottom piece into the metal stand and it whumps open like very heavy upside down umbrella. We had a good laugh over that. During the week I can get out a few things to put on it but for the most part-it's a done deal. The thing is covered with lights and very pretty. All and all a good experience.

I made it to Curves again on Saturday-that makes 4 days this week. Gotta keep up the pace. I must say it doesn't take long to feel a lot better so I, once again, ask myself the question, why do I fight this so much? There is just no excuse. Bad Dee, bad! One thing about Curves. In total, the experience is very positive. The women are so nice and they seem sincerely happy to see you. Very pleasant. On Saturday, they were playing Christmas music. Most of you know that at the gym they play a lot of almost disco stuff because it has a good beat and you can dance to it(thanks Dick). Well, they were playing disco drummer boy and Oh Holy Night(yeah really) I was contemplating jumping from a 4th floor window just from that. Then they have this voice that usually says" Move to the next station" Instead of that the voice was now saying "I am wonderful" "I am precious" "I am powerful" "I am beautiful" SERIOUSLY....for a half an hour it says that stuff.....every minute and a half......REALLY. The other two women there joined me in a customer revolt. We all stopped and looked at the Lady IN CHARGE. We said "Make It Stop Now" and then she said "the music or the voice" and then we said "BOTH.......NOW" She looked scared so it turns out, we are powerful! I never thought I'd be happy to hear Pink singing but the rest of the work-out was pretty good! I am woman hear me roarrrrrrr.

I did some actual sewing today. Put borders on a table topper for a friend and took up the hem on a pair of work-out pants that were so long I was tripping over them

Well, I must go clean up the kitchen since even though I am woman and I can roar, I suspect that no one will be cleaning up the mess I made making pulled pork for dinnerrrrrr.

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