-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Tags
architecture art autumn boats christmas colors Cooking DIY everything else Family Farm Features flowers food garden gardening HAIRSTYLES holidays Kids knit Knitting Knitting & Spinning Lighthouses Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts Memories New England New Jersey New York New York City Oak Bluffs Pets photo a day photo a day challenge Photographs postaweek quilting Seasons Sewing sky Spinning Uncategorized water Wordpress yarnArchives
- December 2024 (1)
- November 2024 (1)
- October 2024 (1)
- September 2024 (1)
- August 2024 (2)
- June 2024 (3)
- May 2024 (1)
- April 2024 (1)
- March 2024 (2)
- February 2024 (1)
- December 2023 (4)
- November 2023 (3)
- October 2023 (1)
- September 2023 (3)
- August 2023 (3)
- July 2023 (4)
- June 2023 (1)
- May 2023 (2)
- April 2023 (3)
- March 2023 (3)
- February 2023 (2)
- January 2023 (5)
- December 2022 (4)
- November 2022 (2)
- October 2022 (2)
- September 2022 (1)
- August 2022 (1)
- July 2022 (5)
- June 2022 (5)
- May 2022 (5)
- April 2022 (2)
- March 2022 (2)
- February 2022 (1)
- January 2022 (2)
- December 2021 (2)
- November 2021 (2)
- October 2021 (5)
- September 2021 (6)
- August 2021 (6)
- July 2021 (3)
- June 2021 (4)
- May 2021 (4)
- April 2021 (1)
- March 2021 (6)
- February 2021 (7)
- January 2021 (6)
- December 2020 (4)
- November 2020 (6)
- October 2020 (3)
- September 2020 (4)
- August 2020 (3)
- July 2020 (6)
- June 2020 (6)
- May 2020 (4)
- April 2020 (5)
- March 2020 (3)
- February 2020 (2)
- December 2019 (1)
- November 2019 (4)
- October 2019 (8)
- September 2019 (4)
- August 2019 (11)
- July 2019 (8)
- June 2019 (29)
- May 2019 (22)
- April 2019 (18)
- March 2019 (26)
- February 2019 (21)
- January 2019 (58)
- December 2018 (207)
- November 2018 (108)
- October 2018 (34)
- September 2018 (31)
- August 2018 (35)
- July 2018 (41)
- June 2018 (110)
- May 2018 (60)
- April 2018 (25)
- March 2018 (23)
- February 2018 (10)
- January 2018 (17)
- December 2017 (22)
- November 2017 (15)
- October 2017 (32)
- September 2017 (16)
- August 2017 (17)
- July 2017 (19)
- June 2017 (12)
- May 2017 (14)
- April 2017 (12)
- March 2017 (9)
- February 2017 (23)
- January 2017 (20)
- December 2016 (43)
- November 2016 (31)
- October 2016 (20)
- September 2016 (28)
- August 2016 (28)
- July 2016 (40)
- June 2016 (81)
- May 2016 (38)
- April 2016 (39)
- March 2016 (28)
- February 2016 (31)
- January 2016 (37)
- December 2015 (43)
- November 2015 (44)
- October 2015 (56)
- September 2015 (39)
- August 2015 (36)
- July 2015 (42)
- June 2015 (46)
- May 2015 (43)
- April 2015 (57)
- March 2015 (58)
- February 2015 (56)
- January 2015 (39)
- December 2014 (60)
- November 2014 (73)
- October 2014 (67)
- September 2014 (63)
- August 2014 (80)
- July 2014 (81)
- June 2014 (85)
- May 2014 (86)
- April 2014 (87)
- March 2014 (93)
- February 2014 (89)
- January 2014 (89)
- December 2013 (107)
- November 2013 (89)
- October 2013 (79)
- September 2013 (90)
- August 2013 (94)
- July 2013 (112)
- June 2013 (104)
- May 2013 (151)
- April 2013 (139)
- March 2013 (140)
- February 2013 (119)
- January 2013 (138)
- December 2012 (136)
- November 2012 (175)
- October 2012 (154)
- September 2012 (158)
- August 2012 (181)
- July 2012 (194)
- June 2012 (171)
- May 2012 (204)
- April 2012 (203)
- March 2012 (214)
- February 2012 (118)
- January 2012 (52)
- December 2011 (37)
- November 2011 (27)
- October 2011 (26)
- September 2011 (23)
- August 2011 (8)
- July 2011 (12)
- June 2011 (11)
- May 2011 (12)
- April 2011 (9)
- March 2011 (16)
- February 2011 (11)
- January 2011 (13)
- November 2010 (6)
- October 2010 (12)
- September 2010 (11)
- August 2010 (15)
- July 2010 (15)
- June 2010 (4)
- May 2010 (5)
- April 2010 (3)
- March 2010 (3)
- February 2010 (7)
- January 2010 (11)
- December 2009 (11)
- November 2009 (14)
- October 2009 (17)
- September 2009 (9)
- August 2009 (8)
- July 2009 (1)
- June 2009 (5)
- May 2009 (15)
- April 2009 (5)
- March 2009 (4)
- January 2009 (2)
- December 2008 (1)
- November 2008 (1)
- September 2008 (2)
- August 2008 (1)
Contributors
- Cloth-n-Clay
- Adri Makes a Thing or Two
- Ambersambry Blog
- Booking Through Thursday
- Caroline Fryar
- Cherished Moments
- chez farm
- Dave and Lisa’s Backyard
- Dragan's Project Page
- Fyberspace's Blog
- Gilead Goats
- Grandmatutu musings
- It’s MY Life! (Diary of a Mom, Pet Owner and Fiber Artist)
- Knit Mainea!
- Knitting Scholar
- librarysarie
- maggistitches
- Maltese Parakeet
- Marla Holt
- Merry Magpie Farm
- Midwest Yarn
- MV Obsession
- Nishikot: Crafty things from Sheeri
- Punctuality Rules!
- Ramble the Travelling Ram
- Rebecca’s Pocket
- Red Dirt Knitter
- Retired, but not Retiring
- Rhymes with Flurms
- Stoneview
- Sundaybee's Blog
- Sunset Cat Designs
- Thoughts of the Day
- Through Jersey Eyes
Meta
Monthly Archives: September 2010
The Little Red Plane . . .
Some things are just too good not to share -- right away! Like this -- so cute:
Comments Off on The Little Red Plane . . .
The Little Red Plane . . .
Some things are just too good not to share -- right away! Like this -- so cute:
Comments Off on The Little Red Plane . . .
More blessings . . .
Life has truly taught me to never expect smooth roads and always expect the unexpected. Sometimes it's hard, though, to acknowledge and accept, and to remember, that God has a plan for us. Yesterday was an awakening for me.
My sweet son-in-law hurried late yesterday afternoon from Fort Worth to go with me to retrieve my treasure--the weaving loom, so generously gifted by C.C. Young Retirement Home. I had reserved a Uhaul with a drop ramp to make it easier to use a dolly to load and unload the loom. At the last minute, I asked Steven if he thought it might be better to go look at the loom and develop a plan first--then we could go back Thursday or Saturday and pick it up. He agreed, but was concerned about the length of time--I assured him that the building and the loom were safe until spring, when the building was to be demolished. This is what Susan, at C.C.Young, and Hinke, with Dallas Weaving Guild, had both told me. So I felt comfortable with this plan. And Steven had never seen the loom--I wanted him to be comfortable with the "job."
You can imagine my surprise when Security opened the door for me at about 4:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon to find the room empty--literally empty. Every ounce of yarn, every piece of equipment, every pin and measuring tape, every scissor, and my precious loom were gone.
I was heartsick, disappointed, sad . . . devastated. Everything was gone. I had built up such anticipation and excitement for my new venture. I really was devastated. I came home and closed my drapes, turned off the telephone, and went to bed. I was just disgusted and disappointed that someone could come in and crumble my plans up so menacingly.
Enter insomnia.
I'm probably not very different from others--when I awaken in the middle of the night in the dark and quiet, I think about stuff--I pray, I plan, I dream. Last night was no exception. And in the midst of my nighttime lamentations, a soft, knowing hand reached out and gently shook me. But it was enough to get my attention. In my disappointment, I'd forgotten the most important lesson of all--that God has a plan for me. Sometimes it's the same as mine; but more often than not it isn't. The secret is keeping my eye on the prize. Earthly things can tempt us so. We can forget so easily that this time here is only transitory. And forget that putting too much stock in the doings of this world isn't always the good or smart thing to do.
So . . . weaving isn't in God's plan for me today. Maybe another day--but not today. And maybe not tomorrow, or any other day for that matter. But God has a plan for me and I'm joyful and thankful for it. God knows something I don't--and his plan is better. So, again, I'm blessed. I'm happy, even have a feeling of excitement, knowing that God's plan is playing itself out through me. So blessed!!!
Today I'm working on my "stuff" for the fantastic craft fair that will take place at Jacob's Reward Farm:
My sweet son-in-law hurried late yesterday afternoon from Fort Worth to go with me to retrieve my treasure--the weaving loom, so generously gifted by C.C. Young Retirement Home. I had reserved a Uhaul with a drop ramp to make it easier to use a dolly to load and unload the loom. At the last minute, I asked Steven if he thought it might be better to go look at the loom and develop a plan first--then we could go back Thursday or Saturday and pick it up. He agreed, but was concerned about the length of time--I assured him that the building and the loom were safe until spring, when the building was to be demolished. This is what Susan, at C.C.Young, and Hinke, with Dallas Weaving Guild, had both told me. So I felt comfortable with this plan. And Steven had never seen the loom--I wanted him to be comfortable with the "job."
You can imagine my surprise when Security opened the door for me at about 4:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon to find the room empty--literally empty. Every ounce of yarn, every piece of equipment, every pin and measuring tape, every scissor, and my precious loom were gone.
I was heartsick, disappointed, sad . . . devastated. Everything was gone. I had built up such anticipation and excitement for my new venture. I really was devastated. I came home and closed my drapes, turned off the telephone, and went to bed. I was just disgusted and disappointed that someone could come in and crumble my plans up so menacingly.
Enter insomnia.
I'm probably not very different from others--when I awaken in the middle of the night in the dark and quiet, I think about stuff--I pray, I plan, I dream. Last night was no exception. And in the midst of my nighttime lamentations, a soft, knowing hand reached out and gently shook me. But it was enough to get my attention. In my disappointment, I'd forgotten the most important lesson of all--that God has a plan for me. Sometimes it's the same as mine; but more often than not it isn't. The secret is keeping my eye on the prize. Earthly things can tempt us so. We can forget so easily that this time here is only transitory. And forget that putting too much stock in the doings of this world isn't always the good or smart thing to do.
So . . . weaving isn't in God's plan for me today. Maybe another day--but not today. And maybe not tomorrow, or any other day for that matter. But God has a plan for me and I'm joyful and thankful for it. God knows something I don't--and his plan is better. So, again, I'm blessed. I'm happy, even have a feeling of excitement, knowing that God's plan is playing itself out through me. So blessed!!!
Today I'm working on my "stuff" for the fantastic craft fair that will take place at Jacob's Reward Farm:
Please, please come and support all these fantastic artists. I make great project bags, plain but fantastic soap, and other fun stuff. And this group is totally, totally talented--we're talking non-amateurish totally professional stuff my friend! Take an hour or so out of your Saturday that day to check it out. There will be lots of food, entertainment, demonstrations . . . just a really cool day. AND, maybe the best part, is that you can get a bunch of your Christmas shopping done. Whew . . . wouldn't that be cool???? Have a huge dent done by Halloween?? Love it!!!
Keep the faith, sisters. Sometimes it isn't easy to see the blessings, but I promise they're there. God really does have a plan.
xoxo
Many blessings . . .
Everyday I thank God for blessing me so abundantly. And everyday I'm amazed (but never surprised) that God blesses me so abundantly. Today was very rainy in Dallas--but our plants, lawns, and trees needed the water soooo much! The skies were gray and overcast--a good thing because I couldn't find my sunglasses! And the cool, clear air was clearly enjoyed by everyone--I didn't encounter one person on the roads today who was speeding and trying to run me off the road (hahaha). Overall, I felt pretty blessed today!
I also was blessed by unknown people. I attended the regular Wednesday Texas Twisters spinning get-together last week. While I was there, somebody (was it Marlene? or Kate? or maybe Peggy? or Lori)--my recollection isn't clear who--let us all know that a Dallas nursing home was clearing out their loom room and was looking for homes for their looms.
Well, I'm a total fiber geek . . . and hand woven things are just about my favorite things (my favorite decorative piece at Christmastime is a table scarf that I put on the entryway table each year--and always hate putting away after Christmas). So I made the right calls and found the loom room at the nursing home and WOW. It was love at first sight. Hard to believe that had these looms not been claimed by new homes they would have been plowed under when the building is demolished next year.
There were eight looms in the beginning--there were three left when I went this morning to look at them. I met a darling Lisa, who claimed one; a Parker lady will be claiming the second; and I was BLESSED to be the recipient of the third. Of course, at such an auspicious event, cameras are a must---right??? And I managed to remember to take mine with me. Only problem is that I was so excited today that I didn't take a picture.
However . . . here's a picture I found that looks very similar to mine, except the ratchet wheel on mine is much, much larger:
The wood is darker on mine. But it's large like this one--the biggest one they had remaining. I wanted the bigger, and most sturdy of the bunch, because I'd like to be able to make rugs. And not only can I use yarns to weave rugs, scarves, blankets, etc., but I can also use strips of fabric (this is what my mother made rugs with when I was a child) to make sweet, woven rag rugs. Cute, gorgeous, divine!! Can't wait!!!
Here are a few of the things I came home with:
And again . . . I've been blessed so abundantly!!
xoxo
I also was blessed by unknown people. I attended the regular Wednesday Texas Twisters spinning get-together last week. While I was there, somebody (was it Marlene? or Kate? or maybe Peggy? or Lori)--my recollection isn't clear who--let us all know that a Dallas nursing home was clearing out their loom room and was looking for homes for their looms.
Well, I'm a total fiber geek . . . and hand woven things are just about my favorite things (my favorite decorative piece at Christmastime is a table scarf that I put on the entryway table each year--and always hate putting away after Christmas). So I made the right calls and found the loom room at the nursing home and WOW. It was love at first sight. Hard to believe that had these looms not been claimed by new homes they would have been plowed under when the building is demolished next year.
There were eight looms in the beginning--there were three left when I went this morning to look at them. I met a darling Lisa, who claimed one; a Parker lady will be claiming the second; and I was BLESSED to be the recipient of the third. Of course, at such an auspicious event, cameras are a must---right??? And I managed to remember to take mine with me. Only problem is that I was so excited today that I didn't take a picture.
However . . . here's a picture I found that looks very similar to mine, except the ratchet wheel on mine is much, much larger:
The wood is darker on mine. But it's large like this one--the biggest one they had remaining. I wanted the bigger, and most sturdy of the bunch, because I'd like to be able to make rugs. And not only can I use yarns to weave rugs, scarves, blankets, etc., but I can also use strips of fabric (this is what my mother made rugs with when I was a child) to make sweet, woven rag rugs. Cute, gorgeous, divine!! Can't wait!!!
Here are a few of the things I came home with:
Gobs of beautiful yarns,
Lots of shuttles and spools,
and several excellent books.
And a cute, cute, cute little bench.
I'll try to get to the nursing home tomorrow with a truck to pick up my sweet loom. Truth is, I probably shouldn't be calling it "my" wheel until I get it home and tucked into its special place I've picked out for it . . . but I'm so tickled, I can't resist. And whether my sweet loom makes it to my house or not, C.C. Young Retirement Center still must be applauded for their impressive act of generosity! And again . . . I've been blessed so abundantly!!
xoxo
Comments Off on Many blessings . . .
Friday, Friday . . .
Monday, Monday, so good to me
Monday morning, it was all I hoped it would be . . .
Monday, Monday? How about Friday, Friday. Today was a "get stuff done," "let's get going," loving fun with my friends, furry dogs, tying up loose ends, good coffee, kinda day . . . and . . .
are you ready? . . .
And it was oh so touchable and oh so lovable!!
If you're a shareholder, you're going to love, love, love your share this year!!! So . . . since you need a little something to dream about, let me tide you over until Cindy has a chance to blog better pix:
Monday morning, it was all I hoped it would be . . .
Monday, Monday? How about Friday, Friday. Today was a "get stuff done," "let's get going," loving fun with my friends, furry dogs, tying up loose ends, good coffee, kinda day . . . and . . .
are you ready? . . .
FIBER!!!!!!!!!
I was at Jacob's Reward Farm when the shareholders' fiber was delivered by FedEx (poor guy--he had to work a little today). I wasn't sure if Cindy would open the box and let me love on it a little, but I think she was as excited to see it and touch it as I was! And it was oh so touchable and oh so lovable!!
If you're a shareholder, you're going to love, love, love your share this year!!! So . . . since you need a little something to dream about, let me tide you over until Cindy has a chance to blog better pix:
Fiber,
fiber,
fiber, and
fiber!
xoxo (I can hardly wait!!!!)
Comments Off on Friday, Friday . . .
My room français . . .
Those folks who easily and beautifully decorate are so lucky . . . so talented. My sister, Sue, is one of those people. She has that magic touch, eyes that really see, and impeccable taste. She decorates with her talents.
I decorate very differently. Unlike my sister, and others who can look at a room and know where it should go, I am decorationally challenged. You've been in homes decorated by people like me . . . boring, no great color combinations, furniture so badly put together that it can't even be call eclectic--it just looks bad.
Several years ago, however, I stumbled upon the most perfect, effortless, flawless method of decorating. It's called "Theme" decorating. You get an idea in your head of something you like, go to all the different stores and web sites you can think of that might have things that are in line with your idea, and shop like a madwoman (or man).
Case in point is my guest room. For years it was like a barren desert--forsaken, drab, dull--just a no-man's land. That might be a good thing if you don't want guests to outstay their welcome. Enter Theme Decorating.
I took French in high school and, although I wasn't any good at it, I really liked it. When my daughters were younger, I ordered an adorable Madeleine doll from etoys.com, at which my daughters immediately turned up their noses--too juvenile, not cool enough, not a Cabbage Patch Doll. My daughter, Riann, has been to France several times, so I've received several gifts from her from her travels.
Enter my room français--my French room:
I decorate very differently. Unlike my sister, and others who can look at a room and know where it should go, I am decorationally challenged. You've been in homes decorated by people like me . . . boring, no great color combinations, furniture so badly put together that it can't even be call eclectic--it just looks bad.
Several years ago, however, I stumbled upon the most perfect, effortless, flawless method of decorating. It's called "Theme" decorating. You get an idea in your head of something you like, go to all the different stores and web sites you can think of that might have things that are in line with your idea, and shop like a madwoman (or man).
Case in point is my guest room. For years it was like a barren desert--forsaken, drab, dull--just a no-man's land. That might be a good thing if you don't want guests to outstay their welcome. Enter Theme Decorating.
I took French in high school and, although I wasn't any good at it, I really liked it. When my daughters were younger, I ordered an adorable Madeleine doll from etoys.com, at which my daughters immediately turned up their noses--too juvenile, not cool enough, not a Cabbage Patch Doll. My daughter, Riann, has been to France several times, so I've received several gifts from her from her travels.
Enter my room français--my French room:
One of my favorite pieces is a Limoges Perrier-Jouet Champagne coaster (I think there's another name for this little item, but can't recall what it is--can you tell me?). It's just so French and so cute . . . really fits the "decor."
Then there's my Madeleine tea set . . . just the perfect size for my sweet little Madeleine doll.
This is a little blue glass Eiffel Tower. Impressive? No. Cute? Yes. And, again, it fits the "decor."
And here's a doll my daughter, Riann, had in her bedroom when she was quite a bit younger. I think she decided to leave it because I had a "French" room by the time she left home.
And here's a cute little souvenir from Paris. Cute, huh? Very touristy. Behind the souvinour piece is and old, hand carved Père Noël that took up residence in my French room.
And of course, no French room would be worth its salt without a little art work.
And a Madeleine Limoges.
And of course, color is everything. My French country means reds and yellows. I found a Pottery
Barn pattern several years ago--I bought several duvets so I'd have plenty of fabric for
a balloon shade, a bed duvet, pillows, etc., etc.
And cutsie things around . . .
and
And a memory shadow box that my sweet older daughter, Erin, left at home for the French room. I added silk flowers to make it look more French. Cute, huh?
Hope you enjoyed a tour of my French room. Perfectly decorated? Probably not. But I sure like it! Come visit sometime and you can try out the bed--it's good too.
Au revoir.
xoxo
Comments Off on My room français . . .
Oh em gee . . .
I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged. Shame on me for slipping so far into the abyss . . . I'll make up for it--promise.
So . . . today I updated this blog a tad and added a couple of little doo-dads on the side bar. One of them is a quiz sponsored by This Garden is Illegal that tells you what kind of flower you are. I love this garden blog and recommend that you follow it. It always has something that's fun, interesting, and educational.
So, it appears, according to the "flower quiz," that I'm a Nigella. "What's that?" you ask. Beats me. I've never heard of a Nigella until today, but that's not saying much, really. I'm pretty garden challenged, so I'm not surprised. However, the site did have this to say about me: "Many people think you are just a little bit odd, but you consider yourself just a little eccentric. You find new experiences exciting and fulfilling."
That pretty much says it about me . . . a little bit odd, a little eccentric, finds new experiences fulfilling. In a nutshell, memorable?
You might want to try it. Have fun. I hope you're a pretty flower, like a rose or a hydrangea or a lilac--something pretty that smells good.
xoxo
So . . . today I updated this blog a tad and added a couple of little doo-dads on the side bar. One of them is a quiz sponsored by This Garden is Illegal that tells you what kind of flower you are. I love this garden blog and recommend that you follow it. It always has something that's fun, interesting, and educational.
So, it appears, according to the "flower quiz," that I'm a Nigella. "What's that?" you ask. Beats me. I've never heard of a Nigella until today, but that's not saying much, really. I'm pretty garden challenged, so I'm not surprised. However, the site did have this to say about me: "Many people think you are just a little bit odd, but you consider yourself just a little eccentric. You find new experiences exciting and fulfilling."
That pretty much says it about me . . . a little bit odd, a little eccentric, finds new experiences fulfilling. In a nutshell, memorable?
You might want to try it. Have fun. I hope you're a pretty flower, like a rose or a hydrangea or a lilac--something pretty that smells good.
xoxo
Comments Off on Oh em gee . . .
First day of school
Today was Jacob's first day of school at Sunrise Montessori in Franklin, MA. He called me up as soon as he got home. Or rather Mom dialed my number, he then held the phone and said "Hi" when I answered. "I went to school today!" was the first thing he told me. Then he added, "I cried" and I thought that was because his mom left the room. But it wasn't that at all. He said he got a booboo and that's why he cried. I'm so proud of him! His speech is so much more intelligible and the inflection he uses is precious! Our new sign off is "I love you forever" after the book of the same name which I have here and read to him when he slept over Wednesday and Thursday nights of last week.
Comments Off on First day of school
Tagged first day school Jacob
Dr. Ramble, Ph.D.
Ramble arrived safely in Millbury, Massachusetts a few weeks ago, tired from his recent adventures in NYC he was ready for a little break. He spent some time cuddling with some new friends… although they seemed less enthused about this idea than he was.
After some quality napping, it was time for Ramble and I to head off to work. Ramble thought my lab was a fascinating place! Being the trouble maker that he is I had to keep an eye on him…. if I turned my back for a second I’d find him doing things like blowing up gloves
weighing himself
or going for a ride on some of the lab equipment!
He did manage to take some time out from all of his fun and games to help me with some of my work:
and he even volunteered to help with the weekly eyewash test!
He finished off the day by writing up all of his important observations in my lab notebook.
We had a wonderful time together in lab, and all of my co-workers enjoyed showing him around!
Back at home he heard me talking about how a bunch of us Aunties were doing the Couch to 5K program, and after weighing himself in lab he decided it might be time to do a little exercise (you know how hard it is to stay on a good diet when you’re traveling!). So, he strapped on my iPod and went for a run!
Well, he decided that maybe running isn’t really for him… he does have rather short legs! Instead, he went back to snuggling with his new furry friends, resting up so that he’ll be ready for the next leg of his trip!
Comments Off on Dr. Ramble, Ph.D.
Tagged Uncategorized