What I know for sure

What I know for sure

A year later....

To trust your “gut” instincts.
That little voice inside telling you something isn’t right.
The “God whisper” as Oprah calls it.
Believe it.
When doctors don’t listen, brushing off your concerns,
making you feel like a child,
Change doctors!
Find one who will listen.

I know for sure the saying
"The most important things in life are not things at all."
Is true.
It’s the love of family and friends.
Friends I’ve never met who emailed
and kept me in their prayers. Thank you.

I know for sure
sometimes you need to ask for help.
After the holidays, my February birthday, and
the long winter months dragging on
I fell into a ’funk” as I called it.
Sleeping a lot, not doing the things I love the most.
Not working (quilting). Missing the joy.
I kept thinking as soon as the weather warms up
and I can get outside I’ll get over it.
I told my friends and family I was fine.
Doing great.
I didn’t want to burden them with my “funk”.
I knew I should feel grateful to be alive!
It didn’t lift as Spring approached and
I knew I needed to do something.
I did. Found a Dr who listen.
It is slowly getting better.
I’m starting to feel like my old self again.
Some days are still difficult but there’s light ahead!

This Irish chain quilt was a wedding gift
for my customer's daughter. It was a year late.
Given for their first anniversary instead.
Again, thank you to my understanding customers!

Hugs,

Don't forget the binding

Ohhhhhh.........

Look at all that hand work!

Beautiful applique, embroidery,

and quilting.

This quilt is in beautiful condition!

Minor stains, no holes.
Maybe made in the 1930's?

Wouldn't you love to know the history of this quilt?

And who the maker was.

If it only had a label.....

Unfortunately, it isn't mine.

My friend Kathie bought it for a steal!

She came over to ask my advise.

Notice how frayed the edges are?

The edges of the quilt had been

folded in and hand stitched.

No separate binding.

The major wear on any quilt is the edges.
That is why you want to apply a separate binding.

Binding protects the edges and can be easily replaced.

Kathie is going to trim the edges and apply a scrappy

binding in pastel 1930 reproductions.

I can't wait to see it!

Wouldn't it look lovely on my porch?

And now for our chocolate break.

Who would have thought saltines

could taste so good!

Trisha Yearwood's Sweet & Saltines

40 Saltine crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
8 oz. chocolate chips (1 1/2 cups)

Preheat oven 425*.

Line a large jellyroll pan with foil and saltines.
In medium pan, melt butter and brown sugar together,

bring to a boil.

Boil 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and pour over crackers,

covering them evenly.

Put pan into the oven and watch closely.

Bake 4-5 minutes or just until bubbly.

Remove from oven and

pour chocolate chips over crackers.

When the chips melt a bit,

spread with a knife,covering crackers.

Put pan into freezer for 15-20 minutes or until completely cold.

They will form one big sheet.

Break up into pieces. Store in airtight container.

***************************
The corn dip was gone before I could get a picture!

Trisha Yearwood's Hot Corn Dip

2 11 oz cans Mexican corn, drained
2 4 1/2 oz cans chopped green chiles, drained
2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup mayonnaise

Preheat oven 350*. Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish.
In a medium bowl, mix the corn, chiles, cheeses,

and mayonnaise until fully combined.

Spread the mixture in the prepared casserole dish and

bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes,
or until bubbly around the edges.

Serve the dip warm from the oven with corn chips.

I also made the Baked Spaghetti.

Delicious!

Great for company!

Can you tell I love

Mrs. Garth Brook's cookbook!

Really, if you were Trisha, wouldn't you

want the world to call you

Mrs. Garth Brooks?????

Chicken Scratch....without chickens

I love gingham almost as much as I love polka dots!

Have you seen the latest issue of Apron-ology?

There is a fabulous article on gingham embroidery.

Gingham embroidery is a form of cross stitch

that is stitched on gingham fabric using the edges

of the squares instead of counting threads.

It's usually done with white thread

so the end results looks like lace.

Better known as chicken scratch

depression lace, or snow flake embroidery.

I'm not sure I like the black gingham but the pattern is cute.

The directions are in the magazine.

Here are 3 chicken scratch aprons from my collection.

Aren't they the definition of COUNTRY!

This pink beauty was made by my Grandma Cottrell.

Probably in the 1950's.

This is how my love of sewing and needlework started.

Aprons and gingham.

And Grandma.

She had the patience of a saint.

The pink floss on pink gingham is called

reverse chicken scratch.

Ohhh.......

look at this red gingham with black and white floss!

The black really draws your eye,

don't you think?

Notice the excellent workmanship.

And the pocket and waistband detail.

This blue cutie has cut out squares.

Something I had never seen before.

Have you?

Both the red and blue aprons were given to me

by a dear friend, Maretta.

She said she thought of me as soon as she saw them!

Notice the waistbands are the same?

Wonder if both were made by the same lady?

And here is a beautiful cherry tablecloth!

In excellent condition.

No holes, tears, or rips.

50 x 64

With 4 matching napkins.

Colors Bright

For Sale.
$50.00 includes shipping.
Payment thru Paypal.


My latest pillowcase creations.
I've found a book with more edging patterns.
They're addicting.
And quick to do while watching TV.




Hugs,

Girlfriends

the wit & whimsy of Mary Engelbreit

A group of 40-year old girlfriends discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the waiters there had tight pants and nice buns.

10 years later at 50 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there was very good and the wine selection was good also.

10 years later at 60 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they could eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.

10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant was wheel chair accessible and they even had an elevator.

10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before.

Isn't it the truth!

Come on in

Did you see "The View" on Tuesday?
Oh my goodness, they had Mrs. Garth Brooks on
promoting her new cookbook.
The ladies of The View just gobbled up all the
food she brought saying how wonderful it tasted.
Country Living also did a story on her and
gave a few of the recipes.
Oh, how I was lusting for that cookbook!
"You don't need another cook book!"
I told myself.
I talked myself right out of it.
Until morning.
I had a few errands to run.
And Sam's Club was right on the way.
And we all know how discounted their prices are.
I checked Amazon and it was way over my head.
$29.99

Sam's had it!
ONLY $18.33
And let me tell you...worth every penny.
I came right home, fixed myself a cup of coffee,
sat in my rocking chair and drooled.
The recipes are southern "comfort" food
with lots of butter and bacon.
Not cardiologist approved.
Sad to say, only one picture of the Garth man.
I'm going to try the warm corn cheese dip on Sunday.
Company's coming.

Here are the youngest munchkins.
Mz Hollywood with her sun glasses on.
And big brother. Won't be long before #3 will be here.
Papa and I are babysitting this weekend.
Sure to be lots of fun.
But will leave us exhausted.

Hope it's warming up in your neck of the woods.
We've had lots of rain.
The rain is turning the grass so green it's worth it.

Hip Hop it's Spring!

Easter is on it's way.
Which means Spring can't be far behind!

Here's an easy no bake Easter treat.
Bird Nest Cookies.

The recipe makes approximately 24 cookies.
All depends on how large you make your nest.
Mine seem to get bigger as I go.
Bunny plate from Home Goods. My Uncle Johnny and I in 1957 on our way to church.
He is only 4 years older than I am.
More like an older brother than Uncle really.
Check out my cute hairdo.
I'm sure the perm was especially for Easter.
To go with the short bangs.
Man, I needed a hat that year!

Here are two new pillowcases I made for the kids.
Charlie Brown, no trim.
Pink & green bunnies, with trim, of course, so girly-girl.
I love crocheting at night while watching TV.
It's all coming back to me now.

Here's the latest quilt I'm working on.
It's for a summer wedding.
The colors look washed out in the photo.
The fabric is Moda's "Gypsy Rose".
I purchased the layer cake for $13.33!
Even with the $5.00 shipping it was a deal.
It was a Quilters Daily Deal a few weeks back.

This is the pattern I used.
Quick as a wink.
I just noticed Camille has her blocks turned every which way
and I have mine alternating.
I need to "play" on the design wall a little longer.
Check out Camille's blog Simplify.
I love her red & white polka dot chair!!!

What's for supper?
Pasta salad. A summer favorite.
Ohhhh...can't you just smell the chicken on the grill......

Happy Easter Honey Bunnies
stay safe!

All Gone.....

Pillowcase fever
Chocolate cake and
Company
all gone.

Here's my finished crochet edging.
I can't believe how nice it turned out.
Considering I haven't crocheted in
20 years!
I'm not happy with the green color.
To sagey. Wanted more of a lime green.
Oh, that's right, you thought I was going to use
the sugar & cream variegated yarn.
No way. It was way to clunky.
This JP Coats was the perfect weight.
Not a lot of color choices in town
but great selection on the web.

This is the quilt I'm working on (2 weeks now).
It was due last April.
My customers have been so understanding.
Waiting for me to get back on my feet.
Slow but sure.....

I saved the last piece of cake for you.
Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.
The best combination!
It must have been good.
My SIL got up in the middle of the night to "sneak" a piece.

Look at this cute chalkboard I found for my front porch.
My DDIL took me to Kirkland Home.
What a great store!
This beauty was only $8.99.
Now I'm not sure which I like better.
Home Goods or Kirkland Home???

We had such fun, catching up with all the family news.
On Thursday night we grilled out.
Beautiful weather, no wind, low 60's.
Friday, nice, a little cooler.
Saturday. Snow.
I'm not kidding. SNOW.

We had so much fun playing Uno.
That Anna is a fierce player.
We ganged up on Uncle Mikey.

Mikey and his baby sister.
We hope they come back real soon!

Is it spring yet in your neck of the woods?