Thursday, January 29, 2015

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for the days this week that had sunshine.

Honey Bear got most of the tile done today, has to set up before grout is applied. He saved us quite a bit by doing it himself. I'm thankful for my handy man.

I recently took on the role of facilitator of one of the WMU groups at church, had a meeting yesterday over lunch and then tonight is the quarterly meeting with the director and other facilitators. I'm thankful that I am able to serve.

I went to a sale at Clark's shoes this week. Their shoes are so comfortable. I also bought a new red bag. I'm thankful for both.

I wanted to make a bag using the stitchery I just completed. I searched my craft room 3 times and couldn't find the pattern I used once before. I checked with Connecting Threads online and they still had the pattern and it was a free download. Thanks!

Have a blessed evening.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Chillin' in the Wednesday HodgePodge


1. When did someone last suggest you 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell yourself to 'chill out'?
You know, I try not to let things stress me out but I know they do when I can't go to sleep because I can't turn off my brain. I suppose the last time was just getting everything ready for the different events centered around the Christmas season.

2. What most recently caused your heart to melt? 
There was a program on Animal Planet recently that showed these adorable puppies tumbling around and climbing on top of things and each other. It was one of those sights that make you go ahh...

3.  "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton  

Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience?  Does it feel the same in hindsight?
I guess this could apply to our recent remodeling job. I had to take everything out of the bottom cabinets so the new counter top could be attached, the sink and faucet installed and next comes the wall tile. It is slightly inconvenient but also an adventure having some things in the dining room, others in the laundry room. I put the coffee pot on the breakfast table. Just had to remember where it all was. But the kitchen really is looking better with each new addition.
4.  A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake...of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat?
I have to pass on all three. I am not a fan of frosted cup cakes, hate root beer, and I had much rather have a milkshake than a frosty.
5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why.
This is just January 28, so of the last 4 weeks, I'd have to say a circus. See #3.
6. Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white'?
"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" is the only song that comes to mind
7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?
My Daughter and grandchildren. I've already moved away from my daughter two times and the grandchildren once so I know how hard it is.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I really do plan to blog more often than I have this past week. I have been having problems with the computer screen going dark so it isn't all laziness. I worked with it for hours yesterday so hopefully the problem is solved. Keep you fingers crossed.
We had sunshine today and temperatures in the upper 50s. so wonderful!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

I took the pledge

MAKE THE 7 STEP PLEDGE

I Mama Bear will try my utmost...
·        To always swap on time.
·        To always email a THANK YOU to my partner.
·        To be considerate and thoughtful when choosing a gift.
·        To give my partner the quality of gift that I would like to receive.
·        To communicate when it’s required.
·        To NEVER over commit and let a partner down.
·        To advise the swap mama when I receive my gift.

This I sewomly pledge....

~*~*~*~*~*~

Tuesday

Good Morning,
I have made a little progress. I have my January project traced and ready to stitch. I am using red floss.

It didn't show up well in this photo.

I chose some fabric yesterday. 

Having not seen the pattern, I'm not sure how this fabric will be used or even if it will be used. I will use the white on white for my stitcheries. I saw some fabric with bugs, birdhouses and butterflies. I think those would be good in a pattern about gardening. The print was large, though, and I wasn't sure if it would be good for this project. Are there large pieces? 
We don't have a quilt shop nearby. I bought these at a large craft store called Hobby Lobby. I love to go to a quilt shop where fabrics are displayed by color. Maybe I'll plan a road trip soon. There is a quilt shop near downtown that I visit occasionally. It is about 30 minutes from me.
Happy Stitching

Saturday, January 17, 2015

This and That

Yesterday, I was blessed in the morning, even if it was overcast and cold. We are bird watchers. A pair of Bluebirds perched on the suet feeder.
                      Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Next, I saw a pair of Fickers land in the pine tree.
                           photo courtesy of allaboutbirds

This is our state bird but it is rare to see one.
Then it was off to Book Club. We call ourselves the Happy Bookers. We had a fun time of food and fellowship and chose books to read this year. Each member brings at least two recomendations and we try to choose one. I'm going to do a post about our selections.

I told you I was going to do a little stitchery while I wait for my book to arrive. Well, I was all excited to get started. I drug my light box out and it wouldn't come on. All of my excitement deflated. Honey Bear made some adjustments but I've not been in the mood to start again. Maybe tomorrow.
Good news the weather has been great today with sunshine and temps in the upper 50s.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Thankful Thursday

This morning it is in the low 30s with precipitation in the form of popcorn snow or sleet or rain, take your pick.
 I'm thankful that I can stay inside.
I'm thankful that Honey Bear is home after being out of State for 2.5 days.
I'm thankful for the Internet and lots of blog friends to visit.

I dug out the light box and will transfer my stitchery to a background so I can begin to embroider. I also dug out some scraps from other quilts I've made. There are lots of 2 inch squares and strips I might make use of.
Hope you are snug and warm today.
Mama Bear

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

A Wordy Hodgepodge

Thanks to Joyce for Hosting and coming up with great questions.



1. What's your best piece of advice for a newly married couple? I'm asking for a friend.
Communicate. I believe talking about everything is the key to keeping your marriage on track...pray together. Be considerate and don't sweat the small stuff.

2. Before we're too far into the new year I wanted to post a question Teresa submitted during the December giveaway. Teresa blogs over at Being Refined As Silver, so everyone go say hi.
Teresa asks, "What were you doing on December 31st, 1999?"and "Did you or your family make preparations for Y2K?"
We did stay up late that New Year's Eve to watch what was happening on TV but no we didn't panic before hand and do anything special. We didn't believe anything was going to happen.
3. According to Global Language Monitor, the most used word of 2014 isn't a word. It's the heart emoji. Huh? How can something that's not a word be the most used word, but I digress. What do you think was your most used word in 2014?
Thanks

4. Speaking of words, it's that time again. Time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2015. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are-

bae (before anyone else), polar vortex, hack, skill set, swag, foodie, curate/curated, friend-raising, enhanced interrogation, cra-cra (as in crazy), takeaway, and -nation (a suffering sports suffix).

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?
foodie              My bad
5.  January is National Hot Tea month? Are you a fan? Do you like flavored teas? How do you take your tea? Have a favorite cup or teapot? How many cups of tea do you consume in a given day? 
I am a fan of hot tea. Don't care  much for flavored teas because without the ability to smell, they don't have much flavor for me. I prefer the stronger teas, right now I'm mostly drinking a red Rubloos. I like mine with milk or cream, no sugar, but occasionally a little honey. Tea is usually and afternoon or evening drink for me and its usually one large cup. I have a couple of cups my Daughter gave me that I use.

6. Whatever happened to________________________________?saving it until marriage
7. What is one book on your must-read list this winter? 
The new Inspector Lynley book by Elizabeth George coming out in October

8. Insert your own random thought here. 
Its a grey day here with clouds and temperatures just above freezing. I really need to see the sun shine if just for a little while. It does help my mood.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

2015 A New Year

Hello
Its a new year and I've been organizing some things. I'm thinking I need to get back to blogging. I'm catching up with all of you on my reading list. I'm going to try and leave at least one comment and not simply be lurking. I may change my look, we'll see.
I stopped by to see Barbara at Stray Thoughts and checked out her reading list for 2015. I have my first 2015 Book Club meeting on Friday. That is when we choose our books for the year. Before 2014 slipped away, I did some research and made a list in the back of my journal. I'll share some of those in a later post. I finally learned how to borrow books from the library on my kindle and utilize the once a month book borrow on Amazon. This way I don't have to buy as many.
I stopped by SAL this morning and they're doing another project. I hope its not too late to sign up but if it is I'll just follow along on my own. I ordered Anni Downs new book Natures Journey and can't wait until it comes so I can get started. My projects were few and far between in 2014. I have a rag quilt started that has sat on the machine for many months and I started a cross stitch in the Winter which I've not picked up in months. I did crochet some dish cloths and just need to finish those off. 
Its a cold 36 degrees here in Alabama today with cloudy skies. My Daddy used to say the sun had mildewed when we had so many grey days. 
Honey Bear is still doing home health care 3 mornings a week and he began a consulting job in Tennessee in the Fall which takes him away from home once a week.
On a cheerier note: Health wise: I have lost 22 pounds since August and am trying to eat healthy, lots of fruits and veggies. I got my total Cholesterol down to a more desirable number.
In August, we changed our Church membership to the one our daughter attends witch is within 3 miles of home. I am singing in the Senior Adult choir, we preform for Nursing Home residents. I am a leader in one of the WMU groups. I did a Fall Bible Study, Beth Moore's study of Paul.
Now back to visiting.....
Mama Bear