New Beginnings

Well, here I am again after a long summer.  Sorry that I just didn't feel much like blogging but I'm starting to feel rejuvenated with the start of school.  This has always felt like a new beginning for me with the kids, preschool and work so it doesn't surprise me I'm back in the saddle again.  This summer has been full of ups and downs for me and it all started after my last blog, I realized.  It's been full of family times, hospital visits, sewing, dr. visits, sewing, trips to the cabin, sewing, dr. visits and lots of prescription changes.  Doesn't sound like much fun but it actually was.  Anyway, my inspiration for the blog this morning came as I sat at the computer playing my usual morning games.  I heard the girls next door talking in their driveway, about 8:15 am.  Not knowing exactly when school was going to start, my first thought was today.  As I looked out I saw there were 3 of them, dressed in shorts and with no bookbags, so I knew it wasn't the first day.  The other little girl was a new neighbor down the street and my only conclusion was that this was a trial run.  That made me smile!  I could just imagine Shelly looking out from her house to see how the girls were going to do and it seemed to be fine.  They didn't stay out there too long before they were back in doing whatever they wanted to do for the last couple days of summer.  I'm sure my kids would have balked if I had put them through that routine before it was actually time.  Of course, knowing these girls it could have been their decision.  Anyway, I plan on writing more blogs and whenever I see something that makes me smile, that will be my inspiration. 

Fashion Style

I've been feeling for awhile that I'm well behind the times fashion wise and I've written blogs about it before.  This revelation came after a casual wedding we attended a couple years ago.  I was determined to get with the times, so to speak, but I've come to realize I just might not be that far behind.  With my daughter's wedding approaching I needed to dress the part and found the perfect dress for me a couple months ago.  I knew what I wanted but the first attempt left me very frustrated.  Everything looked like a prom gown, not a mother-of-the-bride dress.  I didn't want sleeveless or tight-fitting so when I saw my dress during a shopping trip to Altoona, I grabbed it.  It was also on sale!!!  I shortened the sleeves, bought a necklace to help cover my scar, bought the shoes and purse and proceeded to buy the undergarments.  We had different names for them back then such as girdle and nylons but it's still the same basic idea.  I went to Macy's for the spanx (or the generic version) and the employee was very helpful and knew my concerns before I even said anything.  In fact, she was the one who suggested the hose and how I might be interested in the thigh highs they have out now.  I began wearing these nylons as a teen with a girdle or garter belt but now they have a rubberized top to hold them up.  So, there you have it  -  dressed for the wedding without sacrificing what I want.  There are others on TV with the same feelings about clothes as me, such as Carolyn on QVC.  One day she mentioned how plus size girls do not like sleeveless dresses.  Hey, I guess I'm not alone out there.  I love the maxi dresses which are a must-have according to Lisa Robertson but they almost all come sleeveless.  So I found one of those cute bolero sweaters to wear.  I'm very happy with my choices and know that I'll be comfortable in them and that's really all that matters.

Critter in the Trap

Last year I commented on the critters eating our garden produce and the attempts at eliminating our problem.  Whenever possible my hubby sets up his Have-a-Heart trap and catches the critter, then relocates it to a better habitat.  In the past he has caught bunnies, groundhogs, rats, a possum and a skunk.  Unfortunately, the skunk met his demise that time because someone would have been sprayed.  Well, this morning it was a raccoon, which I didn't even know we had around here, at least this close to houses.  He made a strong attempt at escaping but to no avail.  He was taken to the gamelands to, hopefully, live out his days.  We tried getting a picture but you couldn't see him through the cage.  We have thought that we have a fighting chance to have a nice garden here but I wonder sometimes with these animals coming so close.  We've already resigned ourselves to not having a garden at the cabin.  We would be intruding on their territory as it is so there's no point in compounding the problem.  We still think we have a groundhog that's stalking the place so for now the trap will remain in place with some choice tidbits to lure him in.  I'll keep you posted.

Buying Fabric

Here are 10 GOOD REASON TO BUY FABRIC

1. It insulates the cupboard where it is kept

2. I'm participating in a contest.... The one who dies with the most fabric wins.

3. It keeps the economy moving- it is my duty to support cotton farmers, textile mills and fabric shops

4. It is less expensive and more fun then psychiatric care.

5. It keeps without refrigeration, you don't have to cook it to enjoy it, and you never have to feed it, change it, wipe its nose or walk it

6. Because you are worth it.

7. Like dust.... Its good for protecting previously empty spaces in the house, like ironing boards, the laundry baskets, the spare bed

8. Its not immoral, illegal or fattening. it calms the nerves, gratifies the soul and makes me feel good.

9. Because it was on sale.

10. BUY it now, before your husband retires and goes with you on all your shopping expeditions

Well, it may not look as good as it should but at least I got it moved.  I just got my e-mail from the quilt shop with this list and thought I'd post it on my blog.  I guess it's all about justifying the need to buy fabric.  My problem can be that I sometimes over think how much I'll actually need and end up buying more than I could ever use.  I do have a collection of scrap patterns for this specific purpose.  I like the one about it not being immoral, illegal or fattening.  I could do a lot worse in other words.  Of course, when it's on sale and I've had to travel a ways to get there, it's a sin not to buy something (my hubby told me that).  I still think my favorite is #10!!!  Keep in mind I enjoy going places with my hubby, he's very generous and patient but sometimes I feel like he'd rather be someplace else.  Crazy, I know, because who wouldn't get as much of a thrill out of a fabric store as me. 

We're Smokin'

My hubby finally got his new electric smoker up and running the other day.  He's a guy who really researches a new purchase and wants to be fully prepared.  I was going to get a whole chicken out the night before and have it ready for the smoker but I forgot.  So the day we decided to cook I took out a couple packs of pork chops we thought would be a small project to smoke.  When all was said and done we decided to go "whole hog" so to speak and fill the smoker with similar sized pieces.  We had 6 pork chops, 4 lengths of cajun sausage, 4 split chicken breasts and 4 chicken thighs.  They cooked up really well in an afternoon and taste delicious.  I think our favorites are the sausage and chicken which stayed moist with a nice smokey flavor.  I just put salt and pepper on the chops and I was disappointed in their taste which was kind of bland.  They weren't as dry as I had expected though.  I was amazed at the chicken breasts and how moist they were.  I used some in a salad last night and the smoke flavor was definitely apparent.  So all in all I'd say our first attempt was a success.  Now we're looking forward to smoking bigger and better things.

Be Careful What You Wish For

I finally got my oven fixed last week but just turned it on to bake cookies on Tues.  It was probably going to be the coolest day of the week so I planned on making sugar cookies with some frozen dough and a fresh batch of chocolate chippers.  I was excited to say the least and followed the recipe exactly which was the first time in a while.  The first sheet of chocolate chip cookies came out too brown so I started cutting back on the time.  And so it went until I eventually brought the temperature down 25 degrees.  Does this sound familiar???  So now it's too hot!!!  I feel like I am back to square one with this thing.  At least I'm not standing over an oven that won't cook and that I have to waste time on.  Everything moved really quick and I was done by lunch.  I am thankful I tried it out on chocolate chippers which are easy enough to make more of and we're eating the browner ones.  It is just exasperating to pay over $300 to do the same thing I did before but only in reverse.  Oh, well!

Better Late Than Never

Why does it take me so long to try something new out?  I'm talking about this Side Cutter sewing machine presser foot that I bought with my Necchi sewing machine years ago.  I remember watching the guy demonstrate it and thought what a great idea so I wouldn't have to buy a serger.   But then I never used it until yesterday.  I wanted to make scarves for the bridesmaids and figured it was time to try it out.  It works fairly well on a nice long straight seam but the problem is on the corners.  The cutter goes kind of crazy and it's been eating up the material.  Thank goodness I started with a bigger piece of material.  What this does exactly is cut the edge of the material,  roll the seam over and  work a zig-zag stitch over it.  It's perfect for the scarves.  I still have to touch up the spots where the cutter went wild though.  I think I would still like to get a rolled seam presser foot and then I wouldn't need to have the cutter.  I'm sorry to say my presser feet with both machines are underutilized.  I'll have to do something about that.