Coming Clean

My husband is taking apart a 1950  Farmall tractor and restoring it; piece by piece. The laundry challenges produced by 60+ year old dirt and grease are daunting. I had never tried Fels-Naptha before. From here on in it will be my go-to product. It's no wonder that it's been around since 1894, this simple bar works, as advertised. My laundry room is now fully equipped.

Life is Good!

This, That and The Other Thing

Warning: this post is a compilation of complete and total randomness.

There's been a lot going on lately... not any one big thing in particular, just this, that and the other thing.

This picture now greets me every morning when I enter the kitchen, it makes my heart smile. Ever since I've known my husband and his family this has hung in his mother's kitchen. She took it off the wall recently, wrapped it up and gave it to me. She knew how much I had always admired it. It's true, I always have. While it makes me sad that she is beginning to give away her possessions, I am grateful that she is able to delight in placing her items in the hands of those who will treasure them always, that is a blessing.

I spotted this product at the grocery store recently.  So now there's a dryer sheet especially "for men and those who smell them"? Why, I ask. Is Outdoor Fresh not manly enough anymore?

We concluded another successful Quilt Ministry year, we're off for the summer months and will resume our weekly meetings again after Labor Day. This was the last quilt we finished, it was a retirement gift for the outgoing Bishop of the NC Synod of the ELCA; from all reports it was warmly received.

 On the home front: quilting progress is being made on this small quilt for my mother, she purchased it as a top a few years ago at a yard sale and only recently discovered it in an all but forgotten box.

She plans to use it as a seasonal table topper.

Mason helped to design this T-shirt for himself last weekend, after the bridge building was completed. He chose the fabrics for the appliques and the size of the camper. He stood right by my side as I stitched and was delighted with the results... is that not the face of one happy camper?

I finished this book over the past weekend, in all honesty I couldn't put it down. 

If you haven't read it I think you should... it will change you. In a good way.

We attended a funeral yesterday; one for the precious daddy of a dear friend. 

Something that the Pastor said resonated with me: "in reality we all write our own eulogies".

Hmmmm... that we do. One. Day. At. A. Time.

I was sitting in the car waiting for my husband to come out of a fastener store the other day (screws, nails, bolts, etc.); now you know why I didn't accompany him inside. The sun was beating through the window onto my arm and I noticed, for the first time, that my skin had sparkles on it! Okay, I doctored this photo a bit w/ Picmonkey so you'd get the idea. I suppose the sparkles come from my Jergens body lotion, that's all that is on my skin other than soap and water! It's just regular, original Jergens too, no tanner, firmer, healer or other enhancements contained. I've used this product for years and never noticed sparkles before. I suppose there must be some talc or other mineral in the composition of the lotion; enough to make me sparkle in the sunshine. To be honest I'm not really sure how I feel about this.

I'll be back; with more structure, content and regularity...  you can count on it.

In the meantime, it's just been this that and the other thing.

Life is Good!

 

Quilts, Quilts Everywhere!

The last couple of days, when I've had the television on, I couldn't help but notice that I kept seeing quilts... everywhere! Those of us who are quilters more than likely have quilt "radar" anyway; noticing quilt patterns in our exterior surroundings everyday, such as floor tiles or even in nature. I'm talking here though about the blatant, quilt-related, TV-spot saturation. Wednesday, while watching an episode of Hallmark's Home and Family, who was the featured guest? None other than Alex Anderson! She did a quick segment on assembling a Bowtie block and showed off some of her spectacular quilts. These are all featured in her newest book: Scrap Quilting with Alex Anderson.

 I couldn't help but drool over this one, can't you just imagine combining all of your low volume
 prints with some brights for your own Bowtie quilt using this striking zig-zag setting?

The next item I heard on the news. These are the uniforms that our U.S. athletes
 will wear during the opening ceremonies at the upcoming Sochi Olympics.
Designed by Ralph Lauren and influenced by, yes, American patchwork!

And, lastly, in this Turbo Tax commercial.  Okay, honestly, this one may take a keener sense of quilt awareness as the scenes scan by very quickly; but, this ad entitled: "The Year Of  The You" highlights a new quilter proudly showing off her first quilt top (10 seconds in), her smile says it all. Have a look, you'll smile too!

Seek them out today, in those unexpected places; you most likely won't have to search far. You never know where quilts may be lurking; waiting to be discovered! According the Chinese zodiac this is the year of the horse; however, I'm declaring it the year of the quilt, they're everywhere!

Life is Good!

Eureka! I've Found It!!

After all these years, I have finally found it... the  shortcut to creating more time! It looks like it has been waiting at my local discount department store, all I needed to do was find it... Slipper Genie! According to the packaging these clever little slippers will clean my floors while I walk. If that's the case, I could wear them all week long; while putting laundry away, cooking, doing dishes and making the bed. When Friday rolls around the house will already be clean! Oh, just think of the quilts I'll finish.

Life is Good!
I keep tellin' you...

Dear Snuggie Wearer,

I saw you, wearing your Snuggie and dashing into Costco the other day. I'm not sure you read the rules when you bought your Snuggie, contrary to what you may think it is NOT outerwear! Do you have any other coats, jackets or wraps that open down the back? No you don't, that ought to tell you something right there. I know it was cold, wet and slushy the day you decided to top off your parka with your Snuggie and go shopping, let me suggest that you add heavier layers underneath your jacket so that your Snuggie won't get all wet and dirty dragging through the puddles in the parking lot. (Which, brings me to another point, but this one isn't your fault: despite the way they're described, one size doesn't fit ALL!) Look at this photo that advertises your beloved Snuggie, they're made to be enjoyed at home, with a date, playing backgammon.

Sincerely,

'Tis the season, and I still have a LOT to do; namely, more correspondence. Next, a letter to the lady who was wearing her flannel Christmas pajamas (albeit cute!) out to shop for groceries at Trader Joe's... seriously, is anyone so busy that they can't pull on a pair of jeans before they leave home?

Life is Good!

As Seen on TV

The main selling point on this little battery-operated item is that you don't need to remove clothing from the body or drapes from the rod to make repairs. Are you kidding me? Seriously, when have you ever thought to yourself: "I'd fix that pocket, or that hem, if I didn't need to take it OFF?" If you're in that kind of hurry wouldn't tape or a staple work until you can actually remove that item of clothing? I do remember my son wanting me to mend something for him, back when he was in high school, and was put out with me when I merely suggested that he return to his room and find something else to wear in the meantime. Perhaps this product is marketed to high school age boys? One of the final sales pitches on this television commercial goes something like this: "conventional sewing machines can cost up to $5oo." Up to? Really? In what century? Thanks anyway, but I think I'll hold on to my fifteen dollars (plus S&H).

Life is Good!

Go Away!

I'm building a case for "music only" in the studio. I'm weary of TV and the ads that I either don't understand, or find completely idiotic and annoying. I don't want to share my space anymore with Chad and his circle or, more recently, his strange alien friends. Just when I thought that it was safe to assume that everyone who wanted a Sham-Wow had already purchased one, Vince returned with the newest "can't live without it product", the Slap-Chop! Whatever happened to writers? I guess they've been redirected to unemployment lines ever since reality TV took over. The mute button is no longer adequate, it's power off for the TV, sorry Chad and Vince you're not invited in my space anymore, you'll have to pack up your hair gel and move to someone else's place; and while you're at it, feel free to take that "baby-come-back" singing broom along with you. I'm cranking up the iTunes and listening to music!

Life is Good!