Craft Time

I love to do plastic canvas crafts. Especially coasters, boxes and baskets. Right now I am working on finishing an Easter basket. Then I am going to start some coasters. I went to Hobby Lobby during the 30% off sale on yarn. Oh and yes, Junior Mints were a necessity. 

As you can see  I don't have much left to do on this project. 

Here are a few coasters I would like to try. I want to do one of my eggs in the Chevron. 

I love this purple on the coaster. I think I will make these next. 

I love the design on this box. But I am going to make it in multi  colors with my pastels.

I will keep you posted on my progress. Have a great day.

I may have a problem....

"Previously, research suggested that people collected things because they felt an emotional connection to the subject matter. However, according to a recent study by Itamar Simonson, a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, people are more likely to begin a collection once they possess two of one item." 

That would explain a lot. I started out with 2 teasets and now my house has teapots, tea sets, tea cups and tea for ones all over the place. So I guess 2 is considered a collection. But when is enough, enough? My pen "collection" is getting out of hand. I already disposed of all the broken ones, out of ink ones and the "I never use them because they leak or smear" ones.  And I still have all these left. Plus I have a box of "extra" office supplies in the storage closet and there are even more in there. Not to count various  purses, kitchen drawers, and my car. 

Now on to earring problems. I love earrings and I usually never get rid of any. I have two jewelry boxes and a couple little trinket boxes and there are earrings everywhere. I have been wearing them since I was 18 (I'm 64 now) and I have got to tell you if I forget them, I feel naked all day. At my last job as a group greeter, it was considered an earring emergency because I knew I didn't look my best without a pair of hoops on. I have a lot of studs and a lot of posts and a lot of wire. But my go-to earring is and always will be hoops, especially if I am out and about. I'm okay not wearing any at all at home or with family. But I got a reputation as being the hoop girl. So long story short, I forgot to put earrings on when I was going out and about one day. I wa horrified that I was making business calls with no earrings. So my friend suggested I keep a pair in the car. So I found this with multiple pairs at Walmart for $4.88. Now don't freak out because they are cheap. That is about all I wear because I like to change out so much that it doesn't make since to buy expensive one. I do have some really good one Allen bought me, but otherwise I go cheap. Never have had a reaction in all these years so I don't worry about it. But anyway, suffice it to say I now have four new pairs of hoops on my dresser trinket tray and the rest went in the console of my car. No more earring emergencies!

Weekend wrap up

 Over the past few days, I have made some changes to the house. Once I got the Christmas put away the first of January and got things put back where they belonged, I was able to do some rearranging and found some end of the year sales that I purchased. So let's catch up on what I have accomplished.

The first thing was that I had an old flower green ironing board cover. It was getting worn out so I ordered a new one. Since I iron in my craft room that is decorated in steam punk I found one with medallions that kind of resemble gears. I am really pleased with it.

Next came a new rug I got for under the coffee table in the living room. It is very vintage looking. 

I saw a pitcher like this with the lavendear and the jute. I already had all of it so I was able to recreate this little decor, right down to the little white cast iron bird. I had the bird but he was black so I simply painted him white. Did exactly like what I saw by shopping my house. 

I did find this container for $4.99 at Hobby Lobby. I had ordered the table cloth that I have had my eye on for 3 years. I finally found it on sale for $14.99. Normally every has it for $29-$49 because I have to have a 102" length. It was well worth the wait. Had everything else already so for under $20.00 I had a whole new look to the dining room. 

I have teapots and floral arrangements everywhere. I love flowers.

I love my wine rack. But I don't drink wine. The one bottle there is from a trip to La Belle Ami winery and summer concert series me and Allen went to. I use the wine bottle holder for the hooks to hand my china tea cups on.

This was my new tea pot I got at Hobby Lobby in Dolly Parton's new brand of home decor.

I have bicycles as a theme in the living room discreetly. So when my daughter bought me this one with Valentine's theme, I went ahead and put it out. 

Two of my favorite tea sets.

There you have it. Some new and exciting changes going on at my house. 

Soothing Sunday

I had a million things to do today. Instead I watched Guardians of the Galaxy, ate ice cream, and laid on the couch all day after going to church this morning. 

Once upon a shipment....

I placed an order with Amazon Prime. It shipped the next day. I noticed it said it must be signed for. I wasn't home the day they brought it, but they left the note on the door saying to sign the back and leave on door and they would deliver the next day. I did that. The next day it never came. Then I got an email from UPS saying they had left my package at Advance Auto in my area. I was so confused. Turns out that Advance Auto in some areas are now designated drop off points. So if someone in there area is not home to receive a package that requires a signature, it goes to Advance and they hold it for 7 days. If you don't pick it up, UPS comes and gets it. Anyway, so the next day I went to Advance and got my package. It was fragile so I was a little concerned about it going so many place. I got it home and opened it up and there was packing on the top. I thought, oh good. 

I removed the packing from the top and from the sides. Turned out the packing was protecting the main box. Even better.

I opened the main box and found two smaller boxes (my item has 4 pieces to it). The extra boxing made me even happier.

Then I noticed that each of those boxes had very good packaging. 

Talking about building the supsense, I was so excited to see my item. Look at all the boxes and paper I had to go through to get to my actual item.

But my, oh my, it was well worth the wait. Isn't she an absolute beauty. The intricate pattern and the unique handles makes this one of my favorite tea for one sets that I own.

She looks nice in her new home.

Quick and easy veggie soup

 I love homemade vegetable soup. This was a simple recipe my husband came up with years ago and it is one of my favorites. This makes enough for 2-4 people, depending on serving size. I have condensed the amount of veggies because I like mine more broth and less veggies. But the beauty of this is you can adjust to increase/decrease to your needs. I have on occasion browned and drained hamburger to put in it as well. But today was just basic soup. Here are the ingredients. 

First I pour the V8 juice and tomato juice in a stock pan.

Next I add the mixed vegetables. I just use a small bag of frozen corn, green beans, carrots and peas. You can also buy the frozen stew or soup veggie package. Whatever your personal preference.

For my use, I peel and slice and wash two average size potatoes to put in it.

Since I like the little extra flavor an onion adds, I just break apart good size pieces to put in there. I don't like to eat them so I don't want them too little. But you can chop them up fine or use onion powder. Or if you are not a fan of onion, simply leave them out.

Next I put in some garlic powder. I don't message I just sprinkle it in till it looks about right for my taste buds.

Then I sprinkle a package of brown gravy mix on the top.

Last, I add salt and pepper. Not a lot, just enough for some extra seasoning.

Stir it all together and place over medium heat till it starts to boil. Then reduce to low heat and let it simmer until you are ready. Just be sure to stir occasionally while it cooks. 

When it has simmered enough, fix a big bowl full and serve it up with crackers or a sandwich of your choice. I personnally love peanut butter and Miracle Whip sandwiches with it. But most of my family ate it with grilled cheese. 

I hope you try it one of these cold winter days. If you try it, come back and leave a comment on what you thought. Happy cooking!

All because 2 people fell in love...

 On January 17th 1981, forty years ago. This girl had herself a date with this guy that a friend from work hooked her up with. She was excited but leery since she had only seen him in person one time, but had talked to him on the phone several weeks before being brave enough to say yes to his request for a date.

She already had her outfit picked out of jeans and a new pink sweater she had just gotten for Christmas a few weeks earlier. She was finally past the nervous "first date" stage and looking forward to the evening with excitement. Her best friend Becky had agreed to come and babysit the twins so she could go on a date. 

She woke up to about 7 or 8 inches of snow and was just sure her young man would cancel. When he called her later to confirm the time, she asked about the snow. He said "I have been asking you out for three weeks and you finally said yes. I'm not going to let a little snow stop me from picking you up. 

So he did. And they went to see Urban Cowboy at the Keith Albee theater in downtown Huntington. Afterwards, they went to the In Between to grab a meal and have a drink. She had a coke because she had never drank alcohol. After a nice meal, they went back to his place to watch TV and he taught her how to play backgammon. She one the first two games,which he later admitted to letting her win. When she won the second game he leaned across the board and gave her a kiss. Her heart melted at that moment and she knew "He's the one." 

She came home from the date and told her friend Becky that she was in love and she was going to marry him. He must have felt the same way because they talked everyday despite working different shifts. They saw each other every weekend. And on Valentine's day just a few weeks later, he proposed.She said yes. Two months later they got married.

Forty years ago they never realized how happy they were going to be. He truly was her soul mate and understood her like nobody else ever could and stood by her side through all the trials of life and marriage. He supported her decisions of anything she wanted to do. He cooked for her, helped her keep the house clean and even ran her a bubble bath and brought her a snack and a Pepsi so she could relax and read in the tub while he worked in the kitchen. 

They had there whole life ahead of them. But nothing prepared them for the fact that 34 years later she would lose him at 63 years old. But those 34 years were happy times with lots of memories. Raising the twins, watching them get married and leave home. Missing them but enjoying the empty nest days. The thrill of getting the call that said "You are going get a grandbaby" FIVE TIMES. Watching those grandbabies grow and and laughing at their antics and feeling the love they gave back to their mamaw and papaw. 

It was a wild ride, Allen, and I miss you every day of my life. But on this day 40 years ago, you started me out on a road to love and happiness and I have never regretted a minute of it. I wish I could have you back, but at least I have the memories of all the years we had together. 

I will love you always.