New Is A Matter Of Perspective

Everything old is new again! I received an email with this picture attached touting it as the "new" bootie style, just introduced. Really? I wore shoes exactly like these when I was in college, then they were known as chukka boots and I think I wore out two pairs in two years. They went with everything. Well, it was college, all I wore were blue jeans but these went with every pair of jeans I owned! The only thing "new" about these are the tassels on the laces, these are extra fancy (and the price, that's new!)! But, I'm here to tell you... these aren't NEW at all, simply reintroduced. They're still cute though. So, what's "new" with  you?

Life is Good!

First Fruits

It all began so innocently... don't all adventures? Mine was born from curiosity after reading this blog post by KaHolly earlier this summer. "I wonder", I thought to myself, "how hard would it be to learn to decorate fabulous cookies such as these?" I did some research, watched a gazillion you tube videos and began ordering supplies... ready or not, I was on my way.  This was something entirely new to me, something I felt compelled to try. "Hey, if the results weren't any good we could always eat the mistakes, right?" I set aside an entire day... and it took every bit of that.  I used a sugar cookie recipe that I found online and, rolling out the dough with rolling pin spacers on my rolling pin, I found it simple to achieve the perfect, consistent 1/4" cookie dough as recommended. My first batch from the oven saw a few of the smaller cookies over-browned. Timing is everything and this, like everything, has a learning curve. I'm up for the climb.

First cookie blanks... all ready to be dressed up!

The first fruits of my labor, with some acorns and leaves thrown in for good measure. I'm learning... one cookie at a time!

Life is Good!

...and oh, so sweet...

Three Somethings

Something New:

I registered up for a class, my supplies are all ready to go. I bought a Quick Curve Ruler back in February when I was at Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. I fell in love with the Metro Rings quilt that was on display, made with the ruler. I never opened the package; after returning back home I put the ruler away and never looked back. Then, in April, when I attended MQX I visited an entire "Sew Kind Of Wonderful" exhibit; a great number of quilts made using the Quick Curve Ruler, I was inspired! I vowed to get my ruler out as soon as I got home again. And yet, the ruler remained in its packaging. Then, I noticed on a local quilt shop's calendar, the Metro Rings class. I signed up, it became clear to me that I needed a teacher and fellow students, plus a deadline to jump start this effort...tomorrow's the day: my Quick Curve will be set free at long last! I feel like a kid on her first day of school, I'm eager to learn something new!

Something New Again:

When Lucy Ann visited last month we picked out fabric for Nana too make her a dress. I haven't smocked in a long time... I don't really know why. Luckily, I fell right back into the rhythm. I have set myself up a little space to work on the smocking for a few hours a day, I watch a movie on Netflix at the same time and find it an enjoyable afternoon activity. The movies that I had selected over the last few days were not worth recommending... to anyone. That pattern of so-so viewing ended today, which brings me to the third something...

Something Not To Miss:

Truth. Redemption. Forgiveness. Love. This film has it all.

Life is Good!

Cheers!

Out with the old and in with the new... let's talk about New Year's resolutions: I resolved to eat better and exercise more in 2015. On our way home from visiting my MIL at the rehab late this morning we turned into the parking lot of the brand new Dairi-O restaurant for a milkshake. Well, it's not my fault that this happened... after all, it is "in with the new"... right?... and, since I had only just vowed to eat better this year what's better eating that a chocolate-cherry shake? C'mon, really.

I guess we'll be taking a long walk this afternoon.

Hi-ho... here we go...

Cheers!
Life is Good!

What's Underfoot (Paw) and Under The Needle

We have new rugs in the kitchen, the old ones had served their purpose and lasted for ten+ years; Mr. Goodneedle saw these in the LLBean catalog and thought they'd look good, I agreed and the order was placed. We had two of the grandchildren here, napping, when the rugs arrived. We opened the package, unrolled the rugs, and immediately placed them on the floor. Gregory awakened a short time after that and when he came into the kitchen he walked right on this rug, looked down, and asked "what's this"? We told him that Nana and Pawpaw bought new rugs. "Oh", he answered, with a sad voice, "I liked the old ones better". He's a funny little boy. At 3 years of age he has already told us that he "really loved" the old TV in the kitchen after it was replaced with an under-cabinet mounted flat screen and he claims that the old sofa his parents got rid of, in favor of a new sectional, was his favorite sofa! With apologies to his Methodist grandparents, it looks to me, through this mindset of his, as though Gregory is truly Lutheran through and through! There are no complaints on the new rugs from Hannes; they're hooked from 100% wool and are super warm and cushiony underfoot, he loves them... and so do we!

Sundance and have I spent a good amount of time quilting this week, as many hours as we could squeeze in. For some (crazy?) reason I decided to quilt this one with dense background fill stitches; it's coming along, and I do love the results, and yet... it's s-l-o-w going (lots of hours and thread). I've named this one "How Much Is That Doggie?", it measures 52" X 59". The pattern, "Nickel Dogs" (the puppies can all be made up from five inch charm squares), is available from Me and My Sisters. It's a good feeling to get this one out of the to-be-quilted queue.

Life is Good!

Are You Thirsty For Something Different?

Check this out, click on Freestyle the link:

My daughter and I stopped for sandwiches on Friday afternoon at a newly opened Firehouse Subs; I was intrigued by this machine inside the restaurant. We didn't get any drinks at the time, we brought our sandwiches home with us. Since then, though, I've had a minute to research the Freestyle Coke Machine. Apparently we're in the test marketing area, have you seen these machines where you live? I'm definitely making a trip back there, the sandwiches were delicious and I MUST get create myself a beverage. I simply cannot pass this up a second time!

Life is Good!

Ear STRINGS?!

My daughter received a pair of these for her birthday recently. She held one out to me and asked if I knew what it was, I didn't. I suspected earrings, as there were two, (I'm quick that way) but there weren't any backs for the posts and I couldn't figure out how they would stay on. She was likewise stymied. A little internet research revealed this: Earstrings or threaders are the newest jewelry trend, designed to pull through the ear they simply dangle, front and back. Live and learn. Who knew?

Life is Good!

First Attempt

This is my first attempt at a fabric bowl; it turned out just fine, but it's not at all what I was trying to achieve! I was aiming for a straight sided bowl and ended up with a gradual, angled side. OK, back to the book and the "correcting mistakes" chapter. That will make some good bedtime reading tonight! I wrapped eleven yards of cotton clothesline with 3/4" strips of three different navy and tan prints to create this bowl. It measures 2 1/4" in height and is 10" across the top. The wrapping took several hours but the actual stitching took less than an hour. This will be handy for holding something, I'm not sure what, exactly. Once I get the straight sided construction accomplished I hope to eventually create a large, floor basket. Stay tuned to see what gets created next, chances are we'll be surprised together. I can tell already that the learning curve on this one will be climbed by doing, each step up a new discovery. Onward and upward!

Life is Good!

Keep It Simple

"I'm feeling like I want to try something new"... an innocent enough statement, but when tossed out to one's hairdresser it can have results containing a ripple effect of epic proportions! We decided together that a low-maintenance cut was just the thing I was searching for, a short, layered smooth and sleek "bob" that would only require a simple blow-dry and I'd be out the door. (Beware of the word "simple"!) So, I got my hair cut on Thursday afternoon; it looked very cute when I left the salon. It's short, much shorter than I'm used to. I learned the next morning, after shampooing it, that there's not one thing simple about it maintaining it! Blowing it dry with the same round brush I've used for a long time yielded too much curl and wave. My daughter helped me to smooth it out with her flat iron; that did the trick, but required a trip to the discount department store to purchase the needed appliance for myself, I considered buying a new blow-drying brush but ended up adding some styling gel to my purchase instead. I was happy enough with this impetuous decision of mine despite the fact that my head and neck feel naked and my husband had yet to say one word. I knew he had to have noticed, so finally, last night, I asked what he thought. He stared at me, blankly; "it will grow" was all he said before turning his attention back to something else. I guess we both need to get used to something this new, it's that simple!

Life is Good!