Where's the Heat?

Today is July 26th.
JULY.
It should be nice and hot.
HOT.
But it isn't.
My indoor/outdoor thermometer says it is 64 and 63 degrees respectively.
That's it. The low 60s. In the North County. In July. During the Fair!!
What is going on??

My summertime needs are so not being met! I think someone should hold an intervention or something. Maybe a pow-wow or a prayer meeting or even a Summit. Or better yet, how about a BBQ or a beach bonfire or even a movie night in your backyard. And while you're at it, could you please invite me and my guy?!

So, to close out this post, here is a little more whining.

I want this:

But I have this (and, it is my second to the last jar):

I want this:

But I have this:

I want this:

But I have this:

Yep. This little whiner needs an intervention!

Friday Night Sew In

Yesterday I signed up for the Friday Night Sew In. I had hoped to get started around 6pm and sew until late. But it was 7pm before I actually made it into the sewing room, and I pooped out by 9:30. No surprise there!

But, I did get something done. I started with eleven little sail boat blocks which were all cut out, and one that was finished.(The pattern is from Country Threads.)

And I finished with this little top. Isn't it adorable!!


I love the Friday Night Sew In!

Little Notions

Little Notions
July 23, 2010

I believe that I am going to join the Friday Night Sew-In tonight! I will post pictures tomorrow.



I am inspired by Gwen Marston. Abstract Quilts in Solids just arrived yesterday, and it is HARD to put it down.

I am creating... you'll find out tomorrow.

I am learning a new Bible verse, and it is a beauty: The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I don't know about you, but I want to be quieted by His love. And I treasure the idea that my God, the King of Kings Himself sings over me. The heavens are his throne and the earth is his footstool, and yet he sings over me. Amazing!

I am reading Abstract Quilts in Solids. My quilt group, Piecemakers, always celebrates birthdays with a new book for the birthday girl. I have gotten some really good ones over the years. But, this one is my favorite! Never mind that I say that every year. This one is my favorite favorite!!

Outside the weather remains fickle. Today is another sweatshirt day. In July!

In my kitchen there is nothing exciting. Not one thing. But it is clean, so I guess that counts for something!!

A photo thought about decorating with baseballs, courtesy of Red Robin.

What is with this crazy weather?!

Heat stroke one week, sweatshirts and slippers the next. Good grief!

Good Food

Yesterday my bff, that would be the wife of Mr Wonderful, came for dinner. I made this salad which was pictured on the cover of Sunset Magazine back in April of this year. It is called Grilled Chicken Pita Salad and you can get the recipe here.


Oh man, it is so yummy. I definitely recommend it, even if it does require you to commit the 21st century sin of eating produce out of season. And, FYI, you can still get the "sinful" asparagus at Costco.

This recipe is in that same issue. It is called Brown Sugar Strawberry Tart. (Recipe here.)


Looks good huh?! Tomorrow I am going to farmers market for berries. Maybe I will see you there.

She's Back!

Our church only has an early service, which is usually just fine with us. But, when a girl stays out all hours of the night pushing a broken down jeep back to town, well it is definitely not just fine. I had to drag myself out of bed this morning and drink a lot of coffee. And I was a tad grumpy.

I told my guy that I would not be able to date him any more. I need a man who drives a reliable car and keeps reasonable hours. I am too old for this!

He promptly informed me that he does not drive a car, he drives a JEEP. And that we have 2 left hand rings that say otherwise.

Lucky me.

Anyway, after church he had to go fetch his baby. I was secretly hoping that he was going to have to fill out a stolen vehicle report. But no such luck. He brought her home.




And there she sets, waiting for her next infusion of time and money.

Jeeps are Bad

Back in 2004 we were thinking of celebrating our anniversary with a trip to Hawaii. But, we really did not want to spend that much money on such a short little trip, so we decided to buy an old jeep instead. Years of enjoyment for a third of the cost, that was the mindset behind our big decision. Little road trips, days at the beach, cruising town in the evenings, star gazing with the top down, picnics, maybe a little kissin'. You know. Easy, simple, fun times. And to top it all off, the jeep we bought was built in 1987, the same year we were married. Perfect, right?!

WRONG!
Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Instead of road trips and picnics and cruising, we got a toxic waste leaking, smoke billowing, stalling in intersections, breaking down on the freeway, refusing to start, driveway hog.
That's right. A big POS, (and I say that with a smile).

Here is a picture of her on one of her better days.

My guy LOVES this jeep. Never mind that it is a driveway hogging, time sucking, environmental nightmare of a money pit. To him, she is a DREAM. His baby. A little piece of heaven on earth. I think every time he looks at "her" the heavens open and little birds start to sing and the smell of pumpkin pie fills the air!

So, just over a month ago, he finally got her running. "For sure" this time. He started asking me if I wanted him to drive me anywhere. Everyday! At first, I declined, having had more than my fair share of experiences in that thing. But then, it started to seem safe, and my guy was SO happy! I decided to let him take me to places that were pretty close to the house. Then it was all the way out to church, and then to the beach, and then I even drove it myself a goodly distance from the house. Finally!! We had our jeep!

And to top it all off, my guy had made a little wager with a friend to see who could get their jeep running first. Surprisingly, my guy won! And so, last week we drove the jeeps over to the beach for fish and chips courtesy of the loser. Yum. Things were starting to look up.

So yesterday, I didn't hesitate to hop in that jeep and head over to my bff's house at the beach for dinner and a movie. I even complimented my guy on what a good job he did getting it running and how nice it looked.

And that's when it happened. That's right, just when I let my guard down and started to repent from my jeep bashing ways...BAM!

We got in our jeep and headed for home about 9:30. By 9:40 we were sitting in his POS on the side of the road. Nowhere near anything, in the dark, on a highway. Out of gas.
An hour later, after pushing that thing for miles, someone stopped and helped us out. He had gasoline, hurray! But sadly, it wasn't enough to get us started. So, he helped us push it into the nearest gas station so we could tank up.

But it was closed. That's right. Closed.

That's when my guy had to humble himself and call for help. My bff had to kick her guy out of his comfy bed and send him to the station across town with a can of gas to get us started. But it didn't work. We weren't out of gas, we apparently had a fuel filter or fuel pump problem. AGAIN.
That's right, again.

More jeep pushing, uphill of course, to a place where we could leave her overnight. And then our friend got to drive us home. A one hour round trip in the middle of the night. And he did it with a smile! Hugs and kisses to you Mr. Wonderful.

My guy sobbed quietly all the way home. No wait, maybe that was me.

Nests

My friend Linda B just gave me the sweetest little collection of nests. She gathered all of them from her yard, and they are all so different.

First there is this little nest that she found in her rose bush. It is actually lined with roses and petals. So completely adorable!

Then there is this one made from pine needles and lined with a little quilt batting. Cute!

And finally there is this one. It is made of alfalfa and horse hair. It was abandoned, so it still has a little clutch of eggs in it!


Aren't they all just adorable! It brings to mind the verse:
But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. Matt 10:29. (NLT)

Thanks Linda, I love them all!

A Finish for July

I have had this collection of small half-square triangles forever. I know that I had a completely different project in mind for them, but so much time has passed I cannot remember what it was! So I made them into a tote bag.

I have a sweet friend in mind to give this to, and she has no idea that it is coming her way! But, she does read this blog regularly and has such nice things about it. Things like "creative" and "inspiring". So sweet. Anyway, if you are reading this and thinking, "hey, that kinda sounds like me", well then.......
I will see you soon.

How Many Years?

This past weekend, my guy and I celebrated our anniversary. We have been married a long, long time! As a matter of fact, we have been married longer than we haven't. Isn't it crazy how time passes? In my little mind, there is no possible way I am old enough to have been married this long. Nope, no possible way! And the mother of daughters in their twenties!! How did that happen. It was just last week that I was rocking them to sleep every night. Good grief.

So, I am sure that you are all dying to know what us "old folks" do for our anniversaries. Lucky for you I am in the mood to tell you all about it. And I've got pictures too!!

First of all, we skipped church. Yikes! Just a couple of back-slidden heathens. But we make good soup.

Then we set out on a little 1 day road trip. For me a road trip is all about the road. It's the trip, you know what I mean? The busy highways, the little byways, the music, the chit-chat, the impulsive stops, the roadside picnics, the map, the truckstop coffee, the sunrise and the sunset. I just love it. But for my guy, the destination is the entire point of a road trip. So, he picked the destination and promised to make the trip fun.

Where did we go??

The Bass Pro Shop, of course. And Red Robin for dinner. Fishing, hunting, burgers and beer. My guy was a happy camper. The only thing that could have made the day better was if I had agreed to make the trip (8 driving hours) in his precious 1987 jeep. But I declined. A girl has got her limits. And that bucket of bolts would have completely ruined the trip part of the trip.

The Bass Pro has become a huge part of my life. My guy adores the place. He has taken me to almost every single one in America! And, just to keep me well rounded, he has thrown in a few Cabela's and Ducks Unlimited. I know. I am a luck,y lucky girl.

So, just in case you have not had the opportunity to visit Bass Pro, I present this little collection of photos:

The local wildlife.

The fun begins long before you enter the store!

Very well stated.

The ones that didn't get away.

I actually love these enormous fireplaces. If you visit in a cooler season, there are big fires burning and plenty of comfortable seats for hanging out with a good book. And Bass Pro has great cookbooks and nature books.

Bait.

Did you know that you catch fish with fake fish?

And all poles must be tested out. It's the Bass Pro law, and it is strictly enforced.

Ditto for guns.

Home furnishing for all decors. ("It's camo, it blends in," he says.) I declined.

But wait. What do the ladies do at Bass Pro? You know the quilter mom who likes to cook and garden. Well, I already mentioned the nature and cookbooks and the comfy seats by the fire. But, there is also clothing and jewelry.

If it is your anniversary your guy will be sure you leave with a pretty little "camo" colored bracelet.

And you can get this thing for beer steaming chicken on the bbq. (I'll let you know.)

And, of course, there is an entire aisle of these tackle organizers. You will be able to find the perfect one to organize any quilt project. This one is a travel case for my hexies.

And last, but not least, a few decorating ideas. The kind that don't "blend in".

And now you know!

Independence Day

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

I hope that all of you have a happy and blessed day.
And don't forget that freedom isn't free!