Lunch Anyone?

Today as I was preparing my lunch I looked out my window to see I had 15 (that I could count) very skittish guests at the bird feeders. For those of you in warmer climes you can see we STILL have snow.

We regularly get critters (large and small) in our woodlot. The most exciting (?) was the day I came home from work to discover a group of turkeys were on my garage roof peeping into the room where Gryphon and Miss Gwendoline chill out while we are away (wonder if it was the same gang as this - and peeping Tom turkeys at that)! I wish I had had my camera to capture the moment ...Speaking of critters, my hubby took my car in for an oil change today and a mouse nest was discovered near the manifold (yikes - a possible fire hazard). Always interesting visitors comin to our house...

Charity Event

There are so many worthy causes and, because hubby works in the non profit sector, I go to a lot of local events. Not that I mind - I especially get drawn to those darn silent auctions. Last night we attended the CAN Saginaw Mardi Gras ball with friends. Wonderful excuse to pull out the glad rags and go have fun. My "big" bid was on item 403H - Pair of cross stiched Pillow Cases with Tatted edging (right near item 401H A year of Pies - 12 pies (one per month) - oh my). I was the only bidder (folks don't appreciate nice embrodiery work) until the last, literally, 8 secs when another gal swooped in and out bid me - the NERVE! ...sigh...So, to make up for my disappointment I visited another worthy cause today - my local Thrift Shop - and, bingo (which does not happen every time) I found some pretty fabric (like I need more)...
and annual tea towels to add to my collection

Have not done so well on the old embroidery and handkerchiefs lately - but you just never know what you will find! A great start to my weekend ;->.

Happy (Belated) Shrove Tuesday!

One of the last things my Mum said to me during our Sunday chat was "Don't forget Shrove Tuesday"! That immediately means a pancake supper. What surprised me was how many of my colleagues at work don't know what Shrove Tuesday is. So I've been sending out Wikipedia entries to them in the hopes of improving their "world" knowledge (hmm - not sure about some of the customs they list, though paczki are very popular here). Of course for me, being brought up Anglican, and my husband, who is Catholic, this is a no brainer - besides who can resist comfort food like that. The only drawback though is my hubby has a "no meat"diet (I'll save for another blog) which means we had soy sausage - as good as it can taste it really is not a substitute for the real thing....

Anyways, I'm a day late - for those of you who can appreciate this - however you enjoyed this past Tuesday, be sure to keep to your resolutions for Lent!

The Black Hole

This has been a long time coming and finally, with hubby out of town, the chance has arisen for me to duel the "black hole" - aka our basement.

A while back we remodeled and practically everything from our main floor either went to the basement or the garage. We still have not quite recovered but I was DETERMINED to take the challenge and regain "turf" for projects. So, armed with vacuum, dust cloth, garbage bags and whatever other armour required, I made my advance.

As you can see, it was not a pretty sight...

...every where I turned things were piled up, in the wrong spot, orphaned, you name it...AND we seem to have had a guest mouse or two...
Our basement will never be one of those that gets finished; however, it is the one spot in the house I can pin quilts and do those activities where I don't want to worry about making a mess. So...4 hours later, I can report that I won this particular battle......though I can't really say I won the war - what IS in all those dang boxes and bins anyways? Sigh - time for a glass of wine - just remember, it's the little victories that count ;->.

5 Things I Hate

This is Miss Gwendoline speaking...there are five things I hate the most.

Number 5 - My Winter Coat. Don't get me wrong, I know it is supposed to keep me warm but really, it is hardly a fashion statement and people laugh at me. Makes me look like I have red longjohns on!

Number 4 - Car Rides. They literally make me sick :-<, especially the really long ones. Though I like hanging my head out the window if I get a chance.

Number 3 - Other Dogs. I'll tolerate my brother, Gryphon, but you other guys just better stay out of my way.

Number 2 - Getting Wet. Don't let that picture of us kids on the sidebar fool you - I NEVER go into the water voluntarily.

AND Number 1 - Going to the Hairdresser! Why? Because in the winter it involves all of the above > I had to put my coat on today, I had to get in the car, there were other dogs at the salon (there is one big poodle that really gets on my nerves) and I had to get wet!

All because my Mum says I look beautiful afterwards (even with the vulgar big flowers they insist putting on me, sniff).

But don't worry - it only lasts about an hour until I can get outside and roll in the snow, get peanut butter on my whiskers at dinner time and do some trash talking/playing with my brother ;->....

ATC Preview

I started creating fabric Artist Trading Cards (ATC) back in 2006 (I know, joined the fad late) and regularly trade with three other members of my Guild. Here are examples of some of my early work (I've come a long way since then): My pal Carol does a nice job displaying our monthly creations so I won't repeat here. HOWEVER, thought I'd preview my thinking for our March card. The theme is BLING - the more the better:

I don't know exactly how this will turn out - just hunting around the sewing room for items to pull together - this piece of fabric has some nice "shine" so pretty much set on using it. One of my weekend projects while hubby is away...

Too Many Projects!

How DOES it happen? Your going merrily along, thinking about all those great things you want to do (and are due in March) and BANG reality sets in:UFOs everywhere! At least six on this table alone! Including next month's Artist Trading Card, a Baby Quilt, a pillow needing to be re-covered, my round robin (I really don't think this one will get done in time)... ...and my Quilt Show Challenge Quilt (I got the Seven of Hearts - yes I know the "a" is missing - I've got plans)...

Add insult to injury, in another room....plans for a Bazaar item...

..and ANOTHER Baby Quilt...

Yeesh! I've been called an over achiever but this is ridiculous...

Nightstand Report

I thought I'd regularly share what is currently on my nightstand...Before Christmas I happened to "thrift" this wonderful tea towel with very British Hedgehogs....

What, might you ask, does this have to do with my nightstand? Well, after Christmas I happened to have read a review of The Hedgehog's Dilemma: A Tale of Obsession, Nostalgia, and the World's Most Charming Mammal by Hugh Warwick in the Economist. Our local B&N had a copy and I have been thoroughly enjoying it.

What a sweet book! Though I probably know more about Hedgehogs now then I really wanted to (who knew how hard it was to tell the boys from the girls ;->). Anyway, 4 out of 5 lampshades (my personal scale) for this one. Extra credit for the tea towel coincidence. So...what's on your nightstand?

Bliss

Ya know, only Miss Gwendoline could find the coziest spot in our house on a chilly day - here she is plunked down behind my chair where the sun is shining through the blinds having a good ole snooze (and regardless what she might tell you, she DOES snore). I can just imagine how good it must feel on her back.....

What A Sweetie!

When I came back from walking the dogs and filling the bird feeders this morning this was waiting for me, very nicely wrapped. Now I did give a "clue" a few weeks back that this would be a nice present if my hubby "happened" to be thinking of getting me something ... and he followed through!

My present to him was an afternoon at the Museum where we saw a VERY odd combination of things - Lizards & Snakes, Motorcycles and an exhibit of Rodin sculptures (go figure? oops, sorry for the pun). It was very nice - sorry, I forgot to take my camera - tons of kids there for the Lizards and very fun to watch their reaction. I have to say, my favorite was the Veiled Chameleon.

Guild Night

I really enjoy Guild night, as does my pal Carol. We get to see friends, learn new things (like cleaning my sewing machine this month!) and just have a plain good time. It was my turn for the monthly door prize so decked it out with this valentine Miss... Excuse the quality - I'm still working with my camera...

We also got our Round Robin back - but I will save for a later time as mine needs some work....

Recovery

What a stinker! Last Fall I ran my first (and only) marathon in Grand Rapids, MI. It was a glorious weekend - perfect weather, great event, and my wonderful hubby was there to catch me (both literally and on film) at the finish line. He also witnessed my blubbering, but that's another story.

Anyway, three months later and I am still side lined with a bum knee that developed shortly after. Wondeful hubby helped me purchase and set up a treadmill to help with recovery but it has been a slow process. Today I attempted a four mile "jog" (reallly, a "jog") around where we lived but it is still not quite there yet. I'm in therapy (no, not that kind though I could probably use it) and just have to learn to be patient. The ole body ain't what is used to be and needs more time to recover (sigh). Thank goodness I'm not planning another marathon anytime soon!

Getting Started

Well, I said I was going to start blogging and here it is...I've been on the sidelines enjoying many other blogs, and realized I wanted to join the fun. What will I write about? Like most folks I have many things that interest me. I quilt, run, work, read, "live for the cottage", enjoy time with my family ... I expect over the next weeks, months, years (?) I will probably touch on all of the above and more. I appreciate your patience as I find my voice and any comments you may have. As I embark on this particular journey I look forward to meeting you, making new acquaintances, and sharing our common interests. Wish me luck!