Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Granny's Square on Grammie's Chair

I was thrilled to find this at the Goodwill a few weeks ago.  I couldn't resist the brown background with the fun Granny Squares....and it was the perfect companion for my ($10) auction rocker!  It is cheery and large and warm....and only cost $3.99....perfect for this Grammie's rocking chair!


Saturday, September 25, 2010

No Frills Friend

I have a younger friend that I quilt with a couple times a month.  She is a new quilter and is really doing great.  She doesn't have a need for many quilting tools since she quilts with 3 of us who are not lacking in quilting supplies.  :)
What she really needed though, was a pin cushion.  She had some scraps (and I mean scraps) of fabric that she just sewed together and stuffed....and I don't say this to be unkind....but it was the size of a small pillow!  It was painful for me to even look at it...so I knew I needed to do something about it.
I found this little chicken pattern and some left over wool from a previous project.  I did all the stitching by machine, so it was a 20 minute project....and it turned out so cute, I think I will make another!  I have been looking for a reason to make a pin cushion and try out the Walnut Litter I bought...back in January.  She is a down-to-earth, no frills sort of gal....she would have been content with her pin "pillow"....and who knows.....maybe she is still using it!  :)
I hope you are enjoying your week!



Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Goodwill Goodies

I haven't posted any Goodwill Goodies for awhile....you may be thinking I haven't been there....well...I have...I just have been a poor blogger lately.  I usually stop in once a week, but I don't go unless I have an hour to spare.
Yesterday was a fun stop.
First I found two HUGE cones full of yarn.  They were both made in Canada.  The thicker yarn is 60% cotton and 40% wool.  The thinner yarn has 60% cotton, 35% wool and 5% acrylic ....but still has a really nice feel to it.
I was thinking they would both be really nice for knitting socks....now if I could just perfect my sock knitting skills.
Oh yes...I paid $2.99 for each one.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted this sweet planter sitting among the wicker baskets on the very top shelf....

It is in totally mint condition.....I am so excited to put it in my sewing room.
$1.99
Someone obviously didn't look at the bottom before pricing it.....
                         McCoy  USA
                          Very Sweet!
                             

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

A (Somewhat Silly) Reason To Celebrate

Some of you may not have known it, but there has been a canned pumpkin shortage.  That is not the "somewhat silly" part of this blog....it is true....Libby's ran out of canned pumpkin months ago and is now finally able to produce some.  I found out the hard way.....when I was frantically searching for some in August when I needed to make my oldest son's birthday request....his favorite pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.  Thankfully a friend of mine had a small can on her pantry shelf....enough for the birthday boy anyway.
I found these 5 large cans on the grocery shelf on Monday.....I took them all....I know...it was very greedy of me...but hey....when it comes to these muffins...my whole family is greedy!

I never waste my time on regular size muffins.....I always bake up the jumbo size....and my greedy family will still take two at a time!
I quadrupled the batch...because hey...we really needed to celebrate the return of Libby's Pumpkin!!!
I actually don't care for these muffins....wish I did since they are the most frequently requested baked goodie in our home.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Monday's Chore

This will be me tomorrow.....all day long.....you have no idea what is waiting for me in my laundry room.....it is enough to make me want to hit the "snooze" button on my alarm!
But I am glad oldest son is home from college for a couple days.... 3 weeks worth of laundry and all. 

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Hurry On Over

Hurry on over to Shelley's blog if you want to get in on her 100th post give-a-way.  I really appreciated her posting today on .... well.... snobs.
Friendie would give you a ride on his train....but...well...it is really, really slow.

I have been thinking it is time for another give-a-way.  I decided to follow Terri's idea and join Debi in her Fall into Fall Give-A-Way.
I will be posting my contribution on October 1 and the drawing will be on October 15.
I have decided to give away something that I have not gotten around to making.....and there are MANY things in my sewing room to chose from!!!
Hop on over to Debi's blog and check it out!

Be Thankful







Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Kindness of Bloggers....and Bagels!

I have been amazed at the kindness and generosity that lurks in the Blog World.
I should specify.....the kindness and generosity of my Blog lurkers and followers.
It is encouraging to read the comments left after posting a new blog....because quite frankly....if there weren't any comments...one may think there is no one interested in their efforts....so why even bother.
After sharing the photo of the Cathedral Window doll quilt, Teresa left me such a nice comment.  She mentioned she had written up directions for the same pattern, only it is easier.  She offered to share that with me if I was interested.....hey....who isn't interested in making life easier!
I was totally blown away when her "directions" came yesterday.  She has written a pattern!  I am so impressed!!!
She also sent a sweet little needle case and her phone number if I have any questions with the pattern directions.....how thoughtful is that!
Thank you so much Teresa - Justice Quilt Designs and Sundries.


Another sweet surprise showed up in my kitchen this past week.  Ariel (football playing son's girlfriend) flew to PA for a very short visit with her recently widowed Grandmother.  She returned with some fresh bagels....what a treat for us since there are no bagel shops in our town.....and even if there were....they probably wouldn't compare....everyone I know who has visited the east coast comes back boasting of the bagels.  :)
Oh how exciting to receive such fun gifts....it is a good reminder for me to pass on some acts of kindness.....or at least leave some friendly comments when I am lurking around blog land myself.
Have a great week!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

It Is Here!

Fall is my favorite season...and it is so short here in Minnesota....so I have to embrace it everyday.
I confess I have had this pillow out for almost a month already....
and I bought mums as soon as they became available....many, many mums!
Today I picked up 7 pumpkins.....my porch was begging for them.  Five of them will be carved for Halloween...I can almost smell the roasting seeds already!

Before I take down this "springish" crewel picture, I wanted to show you the expert craftmanship that went into it.  I was not the crafter.
This is one of my Goodwill finds.....$2.99.
I wonder if anything I will make over the years will end up at the Goodwill someday.....kind of sobering to think that someone put in all those hours to make this picture, and I only paid $2.99 for it.
Maybe I shouldn't get so excited for my own good fortune.

Life is starting to return to a sort of "normal" for me.  I have lots of projects going on....and lots of blog material....soon...I promise!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Summer's End

Today Friendie and I celebrated the end of summer....with a "brokened tree" march around the yard....it was warm enough to get by without a jacket, but breezy enough to need a red crocheted monkey hat.  :)  Such a cute little monkey....until I had to take away his stick and bring him in the house.

This past weekend we celebrated the end of summer up north.  We explored Grand Marais one afternoon.  The leaves haven't changed colors yet, but the chilly evenings are indicators that they will turn soon. 

Another indicator that summer has come to an end is FOOTBALL SEASON!
Our son's football team played just 2 hours from where we were staying.  Of course I had to go cheer on #8 and his team!  The Special Team's Coach is my nephew.  I cheer for him too!


But....the truest indicator that Summer has reached it's end...
school has started!!!
Have a great Sophomore year!!!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

1955

I was not born yet in 1955, but our Grandparents were living and were close to the age we are now....which seems strange to think about.
My husband's Grandparents ran a little store in Galchutt, ND....there was a lunch counter where Grandma offered meals....and she was the Post Mistress.
I have a framed flyer from their Opening Day that hangs in my kitchen.  I wish sugar was still 10 pounds for $1.....and 4 rolls of tissue was still .29.....we do use quite a bit of both in our busy household.

This phone hung in my Gram's kitchen.  I remember her talking on it.....and sometimes "rubber necking".  She lived close to most of her family and they kept the phone lines connected until her own mother passed away.....because Granny never did have any of those "newfangled" contraptions in her house.  I remember dreading long visits at Granny's house because I didn't want to use the out house....and I always had to because she had the coldest, sweetest water that we would "pump" out in her kitchen.
The phone now hangs in my kitchen, and it gives me a warm feeling when I remember those days long ago.
And now.....we have cell phones.....