It's Just What I Do

Etsy Shop!

2008-07-24T17:29:00.002-05:00

Through peer pressure (thanks to One Scrappy Gal), I have decided to open an Etsy Shop!
I have a few things in the works to put in there, so check back. Hopefully I will have some more things listed in a week or so. Right now, though, I offer you this pillow. I just started piecing leftover scraps of my blues and browns that you might see again. Enjoy!
Oh, and the aprons are Scrappy Gal's so no buying those, sorry! If you would like one, just let me know.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-07-23T13:52:00.002-05:00

Another little plant that could, but I don't think it's going to make it.

Swap Stuff

2008-07-22T14:31:00.002-05:00

Swap stuff!! Gotta love it....My favorite author and I haven't even read this one!!

And it's autographed...how awesome is that!?

And some slippers to put my feet up and read.

Thanks, Elizabeth!!

B B Q

2008-07-21T15:20:00.002-05:00

We had a fun-filled weekend of company. We also saw Dark Knight, which was very good if you like that sort of thing.

Sunday night was the Pay-Per-View, so we had some friends over.

Here's my son eating a green olive and crouton sandwich. lol
He's a card!

Something we picked up in Georgia when you have a BBQ~everyone brings the meat they want to have grilled. It works out great, and it gives me good ideas....like you see those kebabs? mmMMMmmm...may have to try that one some time!

Hope your weekend was excellent!

Before and After

2008-07-18T12:05:00.001-05:00

Plants

2008-07-17T17:23:00.003-05:00

Here's the newest addition to my hangy-down thingamaboppers that decorate our front porch. Hubby bought it for me, isn't he cute?

This is a plant I remember from my childhood at my grandmother's house. It gets a beautiful purple color (see next picture) if it has more room to grow. I swiped a piece of this from my mother-in-law's house when we first moved here. Last year, a piece broke off while we were mowing and I just left it where it fell.
It took over the yard (again, see picture below)! It died off during the winter, and I thought that was toast....nope...it's unstoppable. Like Batman...can't wait...we're going to see it this weekend! But I digress.....

Here's the little piece that could.....

Purple (Heart) Jew

Ya don't even have to water it much.

Summer

2008-07-16T14:25:00.002-05:00

Happy Wednesday! I know you were probably expecting a Wordless Wednesday since I seem to not have many words to say lately...
Summer is almost over. School is starting earlier and earlier, so it is almost over for me. Teachers go back Aug. 5th. I'm excited and ready, but I don't ever seem to get a lot done during the summer. I always have great intentions. This summer I really wanted to get alot of quilting done, workout twice a day and eat right so I could get back in to some of my clothes, wander around some shops and stores I've seen that I've never been in, maybe catch up on some scrapbooking, get my cello out and re-learn that.

But, what happens is that my brain turns to Jell-O. So in actuality I've watched a lot of movies, Law and Order, I have worked out in the form of kickboxing, but haven't lost any weight, probably because we really like to go out to eat, I've quilted a little but haven't completed anything....I worked on my dad's scrapbook (Happy Birthday Daddy!!~The big 7-0), haven't gone to any shops unless I had to, worked summer school, and the cello remains in the closet.
I can't even seem to blog as regularly as I did during the year....it's because I have little stimulation. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!

So, there ya have it. The picture has nothing to do with it, other than it's from a fun night we had out while the kid was at camp.

Black Eye

2008-07-15T21:44:00.004-05:00

My son came home from camp with some great stories about skeet shooting, horseback riding, paintballing, and a black eye!

True to the boy he is, they were horsing around and he was jumping from one bunk to the other and landed face first.

I think he's OK. When they called to tell us Hubby said, "Well, just punch him in the other eye so he'll match!"

I went to the eye doctor today and had my eyes dilated for the first time since I was a kid. It was weird and I couldn't see close up for awhile, which was even weirder.

Camp and Bunco

2008-07-11T10:14:00.003-05:00

My son is going to camp today. He went to this camp last year and he loves it! It has the longest zip line in North America, which from the top you can see Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas. I'm sure the state line are drawn so you can differentiate. Well, that's what I thought when I was a kid....there were actually lines like there are on the maps!

There is also paintball, skeet shooting, horseback riding, and I'm sure lots of camp mischief!
He plans to get the "messy hair" award and when he gets home he will be getting it cut, so stay tuned for a little bit shorter hair.

He doesn't look too thrilled in this picture. He's actually excited, but the back back (as my kids at school say) is really heavy!

When I received this in the mail yesterday, it brought tears to my eyes.
When we lived in Georgia, our church group had Bunco once a month. It got nasty people....blood was known to be drawn. We had a lot of fun. We rotated houses, and everyone brought food, had presents for the winners and losers.
Well, I was teasing my friend a few weeks ago about wanting to come, so she sent us an invitation! I actually looked in to plane tickets, but it's too expensive. We thought it would be really great to just show up, but oh well! Thanks, anyway, Lisa! It's the thought that counts. You guys have fun!!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-07-09T15:54:00.002-05:00

More fun...

2008-07-07T21:47:00.003-05:00

My sister and I went to get Bar-be-que for lunch one day. Real *Texas* bar-be-que.....chopped BEEF, none of this pulled pork or mustard sauce or coleslaw on the top.
So, while we're there, I asked her how their creamed corn was. She said it's a lot of cream and a little bit of corn. I decided to try it anyway and got a small order. So she decided to give it a try....wow, ya think she got enough!? LOL Don't ask me about the snowman plate, I don't know.

My dad will be 70 this year. When my mom turned 60 a few years ago, we made her a scrapbook. I think she really liked it and I had a lot of fun doing it. We are making one for my dad this year and worked on it during the week. This picture reminds me why I don't scrapbook that often. I'm a little LD in that I like to have all my stuff out and spread everywhere.

I went on a little quilt shop hop of my own on the way down. I found a bunch of shops in the towns I would be passing through with the intention of stopping at some. I left the list at home. Yeah, I'm smart like that. I remembered where this one was in Gainesville and stopped.

I also went to three in Austin and one in San Antonio. One of the ones in Austin was pretty good, the others weren't that great, and the one in San Antonio was lame other than she was having a fat quarter sale. But none compared to this quaint place in it's old house with glass doorknobs. There is fabric in every corner, and the back room is the 50% off room. She even had little pieces for 50 cents. It was great. I'm glad I found it.

And finally, here is my son on the trip down. One sock.

I'm back!!

2008-07-06T21:18:00.004-05:00

We had a great time in Austin. We took upside down pictures, because of course, I can't take a picture of one of them without taking one of the other!

He had an ongoing love affair with gum the whole weekend.

This is little guy. He was initially hiding behind this blanket from me, but he warmed up to me finally and my new name is "that." Yep, that's what he called me. I don't know...

We rode bikes, played Diego's 1-2-3 game, did puzzles, and read book after book. I love that they love to read books, but I was taken back to a story I remember hearing about as a child. My favorite book was Go Dogs, Go! by Dr. Seuss. I wanted it read so often that my GrandMargaret tried to skip pages, but I would have none of that. I was on to her!!

We also went to a Fourth of July picnic at my brother-in-law's boss's house. She had a great backyard and lots of yummy snacks. Especially good was the Sopapilla Cheesecake, which I will post the recipe to when I make it....
Little guy here wasn't too keen on being in the water, but he looked so cute in his life jacket. I told my sister he must really not be part of our family since he doesn't like his shoes to be taken off. WHAT!?
He walked around and around and around the pool throwing in anything that was close. He was being the pool patrol.

We also a few sparklers. A friend of my sister and brother-in-law's brought them over. She said, "I have sparklers!" My older nephew proceeded to get out some paper and was ready to draw! We had to explain and show him what they were.
I got some cool shots. This is my sister and my older nephew doing their thing!

Caution: Adorable Nephews Ahead & Swap Stuff!

2008-07-01T09:48:00.004-05:00

Swap stuff from Leigh! Too fun! A huge beach towel (too bad we don't live near the beach anymore, I'll just have to use it at the pool), a water bottle, citronella candles, two spatulas, and nice, big apron, and.......*green apple* Mentos! Didn't even know there was such a thing, but I can tell you, they are the bomb!!

Thanks Leigh! You were a fun swap partner!

I will be leaving in the morning for Austin to see my adorable nephews, so be prepared for more cute picts! Maybe the younger one will warm up to me this time! See ya on the flip side! Have a great week.

Salsa!

2008-06-29T22:18:00.005-05:00

HA! See what perseverance will get you? A picture, not like you needed it or anything, but I sure do feel better!
Tonight was a big Pay-Per-View, so we had a few friends over and had the traditional fare...nachos. We made homemade salsa, beans, chicken fajita meat, and Rico's. And the scrumdillyicious cookies.

Here's the Salsa recipe:
1 14.5 ounce can of tomatoes (diced, whole, whatever floats yer boat)
2-3 jalapenos (3 make it really hot!)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic
pinch of oregano
1 tsp. olive oil
chopped onion (calls for 1/2 cup, but that was a little much for us)
2 Tblsp. fresh cilantro
juice of one lime
throw it all in the blender and that's it! Yum-yum-yummy!

Apron, Revisited

2008-06-26T21:21:00.004-05:00

Wow....I wasn't expecting such an overwhelming response to the apron! lol

I used the pattern from Amy Butler's In Stitches. There aren't any pattern pieces, just measurements, so I got to use my trusty rotary cutter.

Here's the whole thing (no peeking Leigh!). Please excuse the wrinkles! The front has a pocket. If I making you one, the pocket will be bigger (I didn't like the small size of this one), and I will add a pocket on the other side, as well. I'll be heading to Hancock's tomorrow for fabric for the two orders I have so far, if you want one, let me know what color! :)

Apron

2008-06-24T17:01:00.004-05:00

Here's a peek at the apron I just finished for my most recent swap pal, Leigh. She said she likes green, I hope she was serious!

I got to use the embroidery function on my new machine to decorate the edges.

I didn't feel like the fabric I chose was thick enough, so I added another layer which actually made the apron reversible.

I'll post a picture of both sides after I'm sure it has arrived safely at it's new home.

It's Here!

2008-06-21T15:37:00.003-05:00

As you recall, my old machine is on it's last leg. So, I ordered a new one which arrived yesterday!

SO exciting! It's a Janome Memory Craft 4400, obviously.

Now taking orders!!

It came loaded with all kinds of accessories (including a walking foot, a 1/4 in. foot, and a free motion foot).

And would you look at all those stitches I can do!? Wowsa.

Only took me a few minutes of reading the directions to write my first few letters....it's going to take me a little while longer to try them all out. You can elongate them, as well.

Here's my first seam with it. It's beautiful. It beeps when you turn it on! The needle will remain up (or down) when you finish sewing depending on which you want it to do, the bobbin cover is transparent so you can see when it's about to run out, you can wind a bobbin without unthreading machine, it's quiet, it has a needle threader, wow. This is the best machine I've ever had. OK, so, I've only had three, one from a garage sale...but, still!

The only thing that I'm going to have to get used to is that it's not as fast as old faithful. And as my friend Julie likes to remind me, I'm a little ADHD. Maybe that's where my son got it!

OU Fans

2008-06-20T10:58:00.002-05:00

After Sallad's comment on my last post, I felt I should expound a little. We're from Texas. We've got UT, A&M, TCU, NTSU, all kinds of schools. The biggest rivalry we have is UT/A&M. It is friendly, a big game, yes, but nothing compared to moving to Oklahoma. These people are nuts. I mean crazy. People are OU fans that have never even gone to college, much less OU. There is another school here...OSU, but it's kind of like UT/A&M. There's nothing else to do here. As of yet, no professional Oklahoma teams to route for, so there you have it.
After being here a little while, and people finding out I was from Texas, I began really playing up the whole UT thing. I didn't go to UT. Could care less about UT. I lived in Austin, UT's a great school, very prestigious, but I never had a desire to go there. But, I *love!* messing with my Oklahoma friends!! It's so much fun. Each year at the weekend of the Texas/OU game we have friendly wagers. This past year, yes, it's true, I had to wear an OU shirt.
I don't have many pictures, but I have seen OU painted houses (well, red and white), an OU casket, OU easy chair, numerous bumper stickers. My friend even told me once that she doesn't think she could even step foot in Austin. What!? LOL
So, now I make these quilts for OU friends. They love them. It's even funnier that I make them. Hubby says I need to quilt a longhorn in there! Great idea!!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-06-18T17:29:00.002-05:00

Annoying OU fans.....

Baby Cardinal

2008-06-16T16:03:00.002-05:00

I know this is a terrible picture, but I didn't want to chance actually going outside to take the picture because I was sure they would fly away. This pair of cardinals has been hanging around for the past few weeks. Yesterday, my husband and son went to investigate a sound. At first he thought it might have been a baby cat separated from it's mother, but then they saw the cardinals flying around. They never found the nest (it is in a stand of trees/bushes that line the side of our house), but we figured out we must have a baby cardinal nearby!! Maybe we'll see it yet...

Ouch and Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-15T12:39:00.002-05:00

I try to keep in contact with my sister fairly frequently, so I called yesterday to check on her since I had been negligent for over 2 weeks. She said, "You'll never guess where I am." Turns out my youngest nephew fell and cut his head open and had to get four staples. Poor little guy. By the time I talked to her last evening after all the excitement died down, he was up walking around playing the kazoo! I bet it's sore today, though!

Happy Father's Day!! I hope all the dads and pseudo-dads (anyone who has influence over someone else, which is the majority of you, even if you're not dads yet) have a nice relaxing day. Don't know if we're doing anything yet, but we'll be relaxing, that's for sure! Enjoy!

Old Faithful

2008-06-13T16:20:00.004-05:00

This is my sewing machine. A couple of months ago, the rocker part on the end that you press in to wind the bobbin wouldn't stay in. A minor inconvenience that I solved by simply holding it in while winding the bobbin. Unfortunately, it began popping in at random times while I was sewing, making loud noises and scaring the pants off me. So, today I finally took it in for the service guy to take a look at. I was thinking a gear was broken or something simple like that. Nope, the rocker needs to be replaced, but they don't just make that part any longer, so I have to replace the whole turning mechanism on the right side. Around $150. Which would be fine, except the man kindly says the machine isn't even worth that much. I've been contemplating getting a new machine anyway, so now I'm wondering should I fix this one and save a little longer, or borrow from the savings account and pay ourselves back when I get my summer school check. I asked if it would keep getting worse if I continued to sew on this one, and of course, yes, it will eventually stop sewing altogether. He said this machine was made to sew a little girls dress on, and he's surprised I've gotten this much use out of it.
Countless quilts, tops, shirts, pants....I've gotten a lot of use out of Old Faithful, here. Part of me wants to just fix it and keep it for posterity's sake. Maybe someday it'll be really cool like the old metal ones my great-grandma used to have. Wish I still had hers. I bet it would still work.

A's License Plate

2008-06-12T17:04:00.002-05:00

My son is attending a 'camp' at our local school districts Technology Center. I know...mean mom and dad made him go. They were to chose 5 things and they will attend three days of (hopefully) their top three choices. He has Auto Detailing, Computer Applications, and Auto Body Repair. This is the license plate he made in Auto Detailing. I was pretty impressed for his first try with the air brush machine!

Table Runner DJ Update

2008-06-12T16:57:00.004-05:00

Here are the latest installments in the table runner I am working on.

It's really kinda sad that I thought they were looking pretty good. The camera picks up every little flaw! The lady at the quilt store says when someone asks her if they should re-do the seam, she tells them to think about the blind man on a galloping horse. I said, what is that? She says, if a blind man on a galloping horse goes by, will he notice the imperfections?

Hmmmm. Well, then you'd never re-do anything! LOL I do have some standards. But some of these little pieces certainly are tricky!

Rejected

2008-06-10T15:08:00.005-05:00

When we first moved here, I thought..."OK! I'm near a large university, this is the opportunity I need to get my Doctorate degree." I researched online the degrees offered and decided I didn't like the Special Ed. option because it focused on the legal aspects of it and I still want to work with the kids, or at least teach other people to teach this kids I love. So, I contacted the professor in charge of the Early Childhood PhD to inquire whether or not I could take special ed classes for all the electives. She assured me that would be fine, and so I proceeded to write the required papers for admission and took the GRE again, since my scores were over 5 years old. I did well on the GRE, so I sent all the requirements only to receive the above letter. Not you're not smart enough, no.... My goals do not match the program they can provide. I assume they meant that because I had written goals for special education, but I had already talked to the professor. I was extremely bummed for about three days. Then I decided to get on over it. It wasn't meant to be at that time. Which was fine, I guess because my husband left for the desert soon after that and my daughter ran away.
Maybe someday......Or, if I win the lottery I can do it online. Vince didn't call last night, btw.