insert clever title here . . .

It was another busy week, but different in several ways. Todd and I started Weight Watchers on Monday, and of course I had lunches scheduled for each of the working days and dinners for two of the nights! Yikes, right off the bat I was facing hurdles, but I handled it like a pro (and no cheating), though tomorrow morning's weigh in will determine just how well I handled it! At Judy's recommendation, I looked up Dr. Michael Vanderschleden's The Scientific Approach to Intermittent Fasting. The book is available for free on kindleunlimited, so I went ahead and borrowed it.  It's a fascinating read and debunks most of the food myths I've embraced for years. This week I've played around with fasting times and I think I've found a system that works.  Again, tomorrow's weigh in will tell!

We had Thursday off because we are closed on Friday, but we still get the Veteran's Day holiday.  I'll take it! Anyway, Miss Ellie came home with me Wednesday night for a sleepover. She loved her scarf of sparkly red, but informed me that it should have tassels . . .

Good enough!  Sawyer's did not have tassels, but since "he's a boy, he shouldn't have tassels." Ha! Thanks for that word of scarf fashion wisdom, Elle. She also had fun creating her breakfast masterpiece:

Though she was a little disappointed that I didn't have any blueberries (like I did last time). Note taken.

Friday was too windy to take the pontoon out, so Todd and I bummed around and ran errands. We went to PF Changs for lunch (where I'd looked up the entrees and knew we would be okay with points). Plus, veterans got a free entree when an additional entree was purchased, so I ate free! 

I got some fun squishies in the mail this week, too.  The first was from a "mug rug" swap I participated in. Dana doesn't blog, but we have enjoyed getting to know each other through emails. She sent me this pretty little mug rug:

Along with a parcel of fun goodies . . .

What a sweetheart Dana is!  Her package has been received, too, so I can show you the 'out-of-the-box' mug rug I sent her:

Very seasonal, I know, but I like changing out my mug rugs as much as I like changing out my hanging quilts for the seasons!

My second squishy came from Sarah and contained my 'houses' from the Hexie Birthday Swap!

Plus a couple of 'kites' from last year's swap -- and some happies from Sarah (who knows me so well)!! I will have fun playing with these! :)

My stash is silent . . . nothing in and nothing out.

Ugh. I know it's a matter of making time . . . perhaps as the days grow colder (if they do) and darker (which they are), I'll be able to sneak away more quilting time!

I did a quick inventory of my ornaments . . .

So far I've got sixteen, which is a little off course (I should have twenty-two), but it's a sight better than what I had last year at this time, which was ZERO! Today I'll do up a couple more poinsettias, both in the tiny size and the brooch size.

These are my go-to stitch-ups because they're so easy and I can make them so diverse with a change of color or button or size. Variety is the spice of life, right? These will be my sloooooow stitching this afternoon!

Aaaaah . . . and before I forget, last week I issued a challenge!  My favorite quote for this picture:

was Janet's, "Hands back in your pockets, guys!"  It made me LOL! Especially since Marilyn and I both look like we've been goosed!

And only a handful of folks got it right.  Jocelyn got us all together for a group picture on Evey's second birthday.  She then said, "Everybody say, "Evey's going to be a big sister!'" It took a couple of seconds for it to register, but Marilyn and I must have worked it out before the men, judging by the picture! I let the random number picker do the work and Mary's "You're pregnant?????" won the prize!  I'll send a happy little something to both Mary and Janet!

Linking up today to Patchwork Times and Kathy's Quilts!  Enjoy a beautiful day -- regardless of the weather!

:)

down but not out . . .

This past week wasn't nearly as productive as the week before, namely because I spent it battling off (unsuccessfully) a sinus infection. Bleh! Which is not to say I spent the week feeling terrible, I just didn't feel super-great.  Ya' know what I mean? Thursday I took a trip into the doc's office and came away with a super-duper antibiotic and sinus pain pills, which helped.  Anyway, I did have some very happy-and-bright spots during my week!  

Evey came for a visit on Monday! She loves to move the magnets from one desk to another. And we found that a single piece of tape could occupy her for nearly ten minutes.  LOL!

Then, coming home on Tuesday, I had a surprise squishy waiting for me!

Isn't that fun?!  What a sweet little tea print -- I adore Susan Branch's blog and wasn't even aware she'd had a fabric line!  Kris, of Lavender Quilts, has the uncanny knack for sending sweet little pick-me-ups at just the perfect time!

I also got to spend a little FaceTime with the Panter crew . . . though it's nearly impossible to get them all on the screen at the same time! I usually have to settle for a screen shot of just one at a time!

I'm missing my camp buddy, Sawyer -- we've had some good trail weather here lately, and he loved to ride the golf cart through the camp (and especially down to the creeks) with me! He's getting so tall . . . and for every inch he grows, I think he's losing a tooth!

Ellie came home with me Thursday night for a much needed sleepover  We went to dinner at "Chick-a-lay" and then came home to watch Christmas movies.  It's the evening she asked for -- who am I to deny her?!

She was totally bewildered when I woke up Friday morning with no voice. LOL! As of right now, it's still not returned.  Hopefully before work tomorrow morning I'll find it somewhere!

I did manage to get some handwork in. I finished up the faux-ruched flower piece. Well, it needs a sleeve and a label, but everything else is done.  

This piece was on my UFO list for the year, so it's really nice to have it finished. 

I've also made significant progress in quilting the antique rose topper.  Once I finish the leaves on that rose, I'll have two more roses to do, then I'll quilt a leafy border around the outside (similar to the one I've done on the inside).

This was another of my 2016 UFOs that will be a UFOnomo. Yay!! This will also satisfy my need for some slow stitching today.

My stash report just reflects the 1/2 yard of teapot goodness . . .

And that about wraps me up.  I'll be linking up with Patchwork Times and Kathy's Quilts today -- both blogs are definitely worth checking out; such fun linky parties!!

Have a blessing-filled Sunday . . . and first day of February, tomorrow (what? already?!)! 

:)

design expectations . . .

The design part being what's got potential to grab my attention this week . . . the expectations part totally revolving around Baby June!  Fair enough, right?!  

So really, my design wall is up in the air (haha -- and in this case, *not* literally). There's limited potential here:

With my Grandmother's Choice blocks (of which I'm now five behind).

There's possibly potential here:

It would be nice to get these stitched together and make it a usable topper before Wednesday, right?

And other than finishing up June's baby quilt, that's pretty much it on my DW.  Be sure to check out Judy Laquidara's Patchwork Times and see whose got what on the wall!

I *do* have some other things to share.  I found another very sweet squishy waiting for me in the box (at the post office) the other day--

Isn't it lovely?!?  From Janet at Rogue Quilter.  It's so *me* -- autumn colors and gilded in gold!!  I was just tickled pink ... I think fabric is the next best thing to cats for petting.  :)

And . . . I wanted to share this find:

Buttons, buttons, buttons -- a plethora (I love that word in its non-blood sense) of buttons!!!  I talked about Sir's a couple of weeks ago.  They have buttons by the pound.  And what fun buttons they are, too!  

There were at least four of these pretty hearts and four of the silver snowflakes, as well.

And how fun is this little impromptu face?  Oh the magic I can make with buttons!  

I don't know why I'm in such a baking mood lately.  Yesterday our cookie du jour was peanut butter. 

As with the ginger snaps, I only made half the recipe and then only baked half the dough. And as with the ginger snaps, they didn't last long.  Something about a homemade cookie just tastes better.  :)

Sunday School went exceptionally well yesterday morning -- I had six girls!  It's going to be a fun class, now that it's a permanent thing.  Our afternoon fellowship also went swimmingly.  It was actually an appreciation celebration for our pastor and his wife.  They were both very pleasantly surprised and it was a blast!!

Finally, my teaser for the day . . . 

Oh what a *Wicked* mess I'm weaving!!!  Be sure to come back tomorrow and check out what I've created!

In the meantime, have fun by checking out today's Wicked offerings!

 Monday, October 29th

Ariane Quilts

Cindy Crafty Creations

.Quiltscapes.

Sentimentalstitches

Moosestash Quilting

Krislovesfabric

Marjorie's Busy Corner

Stitchinbythelake

Rose Creations

Simplesew
Charlottes Creations

Betty - That Other Blog
Alexa's World 

Happy hopping and happy Monday!!

a few of my favorite things . . .

Today is Thursday, so it's time for the "Favorite Things" blog hop!  I have lots of favorite things to share today!

First, I had a fun happy show up in my post office box earlier this week . . .

Can you see the return address?  Let me zoom in a little.

The GREAT PUMPKIN!!!!

Someone knows me well, no?!  Hahaha!!  My sweetie-pie friend, Jean (of Jean Creates), knows my affinity for all things pumpkin and has done a marvelous job of setting me up for the onset of pumpkin season!

Wasn't this fun?!?  The table runner pattern is just darling!  And the tip towels -- it was like she read my mind!  I've never seen the Stitch-Craft-Create magazine, so I'm really enjoying perusing its pages.  And those sweet little bundles of fabrics??  They have *sparkly* lines!  And I grinned when I laid eyes on the book -- for me to read with my Sawyer and share my pumpkin love!!  Thank you, Jean, for being so thoughtful!!

Speaking of Sawyer, I spent time with him yesterday morning, while his mommy headed in for a baby-check.  It was an early appointment, so I had the pleasure of making him breakfast!

I tried to get him to smile (to make up for his last photo), but he was all clown.

Too focused for a smile here . . .

Too many toys (cars, dinosaurs and transformers) to look up and say "cheese" here . . .

Neesey, where are you?!

RAWR!!  I scared you, Neesey!

We had a fun morning.  He's all boy -- but he's such a cuddler, too.  Gosh I love that!  And, in case you're wondering, Baby June and mommy are doing fine and we've moved to the once-a-week appointments!  Won't be too much longer!

Another favorite?  Walking through the camp and finding pretty things popping up in the most unusual places . . .

So gorgeous!

And I can't have a post about favorite things without sharing my sweet Eleanor Pearl . . .

Or should I say Raggedy Ann?!?  Is she darling, or what??!!  

I am blessed!!

:)

lagging . . .

It's been a very busy day and I didn't get to my blogging as early as I meant to. Good news -- my morning shower routine took place as normal -- a simple replacement of the switch on the well pump and we were back in action. Yay!! I spent this morning with my Sawyer-cherub.  Such fun!  I love knocking on their front door . . . as soon as I knocked I could hear Sawyer inside, "Neesey's here! Neesey's here!"  Oh how that makes this ol' gramma smile!!

Thought I'd go ahead and share my fun squishies I teased y'all with on Tuesday. Or at least two of the three!  (The third one I'll share on Saturday -- as a giveaway!!)

One was from my darling friend Sarah, of Sarah Did It! 

I'd guessed the closest in both the amount she spent and the yardage she bought in a little shopping spree.  I think she called me "creepy" because I was just .50 under her amount and was right on for the yardage!  Hahaha.  I've told her before we have "same brain"!

Anyway, she was sending on the FQs I'd won ... purple and teacups!  Yup, we're same-brain!  But that wasn't all.  This little box was filled with tons of lovely goodies!

I was so tickled with this little zipper pouch ... that she MADE ... and then found it was filled with some sweet treasures, too!  Darling little scissors, hexie template papers and bitty-baby binder clips!  How fun is that?

And then this fun little pouch (again -- that she made!) with maple syrup teas! The teas are done ... I drank them at the beginning of the week and they were marvelous!

Sarah and I are both big tea drinkers ... another of our commonalities.  She sent me two of her favorites.  Some loose-leaf Sevenberry Sangria (which was marvelous and brews into this lovely, deep fuchsia color and I imagine will be awesome when served cold, too) . . . 

And a box of Bengal Spice . . . a Celestial Seasonings herbal tea, which has a fun, gingery zing to it!!  

Like me, Sarah's also a cat person (she's the host of Feline Fridays - one of my favorite link-ups) and she sent along this darling little cat treat ... a cat nip toy. One she made ... and filled with homegrown cat nip, to boot!  She blogs the process here.  This one is going to Leia -- I can't wait to take it to her tomorrow -- chances are pretty good it will be the focus of next week's Feline Friday post!

She included a sweet postcard, from her camping trip in the Adirondacks, some very interesting info on cinnamon chip scones, and a catalog on hexie templates. Because she's an enabler.  LOL!  

And it was all topped off with a purple quilty bag!  Yay!!  What an *awesome* squishy package!

My second squishy came totally out of the blue.  It came from my darling friend, Kris, who was my Secret Santa last year.  She's the Santa who doesn't quit!  Kris blogs over at Lavender Quilts and is one of the sweetest, cheeriest ladies I know.

Oooh!  A package in a package ... how fun is that?  And so pretty, too!

Inside?  Two sweet fat quarters - with teapots all over them!  Aren't they fun? And her sweet note read:  "Hi Sweet Thing -- I thought you "needed" some of this darling fabric.  Hugs, Kris"

What a lovely, lovely and thoughtful squishy.  How blessed am I to have such tremendous bloggy, quilty friends?  

Incredibly.

:)