The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Outside my window...The wind is picking up and
whipping the hot air all about.  Clouds now fill most
of the sky and there has been a few rain drops.
Temperatures are still very warm, however.

I am thinking...Of three dear friends who are facing
some difficult health problems.  One was just
diagnosed with breast cancer (she is 7 days younger
than me) and will be having her first chemo treatment
this Friday.  We have spent many hours talking and it
has brought so many memories of my time to mind.
The other friend blacked out while driving and
hit a light post.  Broke her sternum and knee in three
places and is in a rehab center right now.  Her husband
is fighting cancer. 
Daniel (my young friend) is fighting his second round
of treatments as his lukemia has come back.

I am thankful...For the wonderful neighborhood
I live in where everyone is so willing and ready
to extend a helping hand. We have many who
are facing some serious health issues right now,
but are sustained by prayers, service, love and
faith.

From the learning rooms...I am continually
learning from my grandchildren who teach me
in the simple ways only children can.

In the kitchen...Nothing going on right now.

I am wearing...Levi cutoffs, purple t-shirt, and
flip flops.

I am creating...Can you call it creating if you are
using someone else's pattern to create projects
to fill your home.  Still stitching my Halloween
houses, quilting on Twinkle,Twinkle, and am
ready to iron my little birds on their white
blocks for "Blissful Birds".

I am going...To do some yard work later this
afternoon if the weather permits.

I am wondering...What to fix for dinner.   Think
maybe I'll just skip it!

I am reading...A delightful little book entitled
"Blackberry Crumble" by Josi S. Kilpack.

I am hoping...My humble little garden is going
to have enough good days to produce a nice
harvest.  Green beans are looking good and
tomatoes finally seem to be taking off.  Potatoes
look great, pumpkins...I don't know about.

I am looking forward to...A good night's rest.
Waking up at 4:30 a.m. is not fun and trying
to stay awake until bedtime so I can sleep all
night is hard about this time of day.  So got
to keep myself busy!

I am hearing....Kids jumping on the trampoline
next door  and the neighbor's lawn mower.   Also
listening to "Mr. Holland's Opus" while typing this.


Around the house..It's beginning to look like a
little festive.  Put out my patriotic things yesterday.
Don't have that much, but I do love the 4th of July
and anything patriotic.

I am pondering...The importance of good friends
and the influence they have on my life.

One of my favorite things...Fruit Salsa and
Cinnamon Chips:
2  kiwis, peeled and diced
2 Golden delicious apples, peeled, cored, diced
8 ounces rapsberries
1 pound strawberries
2 Tablespoons white sugar
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
3 Tablespoons fruit preserves,any flavor
(I like apricot)

Mix above ingredients, cover and chill in fridge
at least 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 c)
Coat one side of each of 10 (10 inch) flour
tortillas with cooking spray.  Cut into wedges
and arrange in a single layer on a large baking
sheet.  Sprinkle wedges with desired amount
of cinnamon sugar. (cinnamon and white sugar)
Lightly spray again with cooking spray, if desired.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly crispy.
Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges.
 Load tortilla chips with salsa, sit back and enjoy!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Work
FHE
Continue working on projects
Visiting Teaching
Preparing a friendship basket for Peggy and
Rhea
Yard work
And anything fun that pops up!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
Was able to get together with friends and former
neighbors to celebrate Nanette's big 60.  She is
the one with glasses.  Doesn't look 60 does she?

Make it a good day.

Nola

Making Progress

I keep telling myself that "yes" each day I am making
progress on my projects---sewing, stitching and the
house.

Last Wednesday the kids came over and shampooed
my carpets and they look soooo good.  Then while
my daughter was busy doing the carpets, I asked my
son to look at my kitchen faucet which was having
some problems to see if he could replace it for me.
Being the thorough person he is, he took a look
under the sink and noticed one of the pipes was wet
as he touched it.  Well, that was the deciding factor.
Friday I would search for a new faucet and new
traps and connectors for underneath the sink.

We really lucked out.  As he was replacing one of
the pipes later, it literally split in his hand.  Goodness,
hate to think what might have happened if no
one had been home and the pipe disintegrated.
Now I have a lovely new faucet and new pipes
and connectors under my sink!

I am really blessed to have children nearby who
are very handy when it comes to home repairs
and helping me out.

I now have one of  the four blocks quilted on my
"Twinkle, Twinkle" table topper.  Just wish my
stitches were a little more even.  Don't think I'll
have it finished by the 4th, but I can still enjoy it
throughout the summer.  We celebrate July 24th
here in honor of the arrival of the Pioneers so it
will still have a place of honor on my kitchen
table.

While out shopping last week, I found this wonderful
metal star at Shopko to hang by my door.  I have
wanted one for the longest time and couldn't pass it
up when all 4th of July items were on sale--60% off.
It will replace the wooden flag (repaired numerous
times) that has hung there during the summer for
many, many years.

As I work on the table topper and as I hung the
star, couldn't believe that the 4th is just a week
away.  Doesn't seem like we've even had June
yet.  But, I do love our home town July 4th
celebration here!  So, best get back to quilting!

Hope your day is going well.

Nola

New Project!

I love new projects!  Or at least begining a new/old
project that has been sitting on the shelf.  And this
one makes me so happy.

While visiting Pine Needles a few months ago, the
ladies were preparing for a retreat and this adaorable
quilt was being packed up as one of the projects
they would be working on.  My friend and I fell in
love with these little birds the minute they showed
it to us.

The pattern and kit was not available at the time
so we had to wait a few weeks.  Finally, we were
able to pick up the pattern and kit and today we
got together and cut out all our little birds.  The
fabric is "Bliss" by Moda.  So appropriate since
the title of the pattern is "Blissful Birds".

Now I just have to iron on the "heart" wings
and next week we can get them on their
individual blocks and start stitching. 

These little birds just make me smile!

Take care for now,

Nola

More Keeping Busy--With Family!

This past month, as I mentioned, has been busy, but
there has also been some great family times that have
helped me get through all the busyness of everyday
life.

My sweet granddaughter turned 8 and chose to
have a "tea" party for her birthday with three of her
special friends.

She wanted everyone to wear a dress and
gloves.  When the girls arrived, they were able
to select a pair of gloves and a hat that had
belonged to my Mother.  They loved it and
I was impressed by how they acted.  Wearing
a dress and having real china cups, plates, and
special foods, etc.makes a big difference.

Turning 8 is a special time for her.  She was
baptized and confirmed by her father.  This was
such a wonderful day for all of us and I am so
proud of my son and my sweet granddaughter for
the choices they are making.

Then we were able to get together with
extended family members for a fun outing
at the park.  It's great when the cousins can all get
together.  Although, not everyone was able to come
this time, we still had a delightful time.

David brought kites for all the kids and we were
excited to have a light wind so the kids could fly
the kites.

 During the week, we visited the "Sweets" Candy
factory.  We try to take the kids on free tours during
summer vacation.  We hope to visit Mrs. Fields and
Mrs. Cavanaugh's in the upcoming weeks.  We try to
have a field day trip each week or at least every other
week.

They make the best taffy and chocolate covered
cinnamon bears!  The kids loved the free samples
and so did we adults!  Of course, one can't go
home without purchasing a few "sweets"!

Now after looking at these pictures and my last
post I see why I haven't had time to quilt or
stitch.

But, I am now making progress on my first
Halloween house:

Life is good!

Nola

Staying Busy!

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I last
posted.  I've missed reading all your wonderful blogs--
well, I did check out a few, but mainly I've been
away from the blogging and computer world trying to
keep up with life!  Quilting, stitching, etc. all seemed
to come to a complete stop.  Have really missed it!
But, hopefully, things are settling down and I can
get back to doing the things I really enjoy.

This past month my days have been filled with dr.
and dentist appointments--one of which was some-
what bitter-sweet.  After 5 years my port for chemo
treatments was removed.  I was very excited but at
the same time a little nervous to have one more
security blanket removed.

Then I've met with several different contractors
getting bids for a new water heater and air
conditioning.  I'm totally amazed at how bids can
come in at such extremes.  Finally made a decision
and now have a new water heater and air
conditioning which I may or may not need this
summer. LOL  If our weather stays like it has
been we may need the furnace on instead.  Guess
my french doors (which I had hoped to do this
year) will have to go on the back burner.

Yard work has kept me busy.  I feel so far behind.
Just got my pumpkins and green beans planted
and still have a few flowers waiting to be
planted.  Yesterday got a good portion of my
mulch down and walk ways finished.  If my
neighbor's cottonwood tree would cease filling
mine and everyone else's yards with cotton and
causing me undue grief (hay fever) I could get a
whole lot more done.  But, eventually all things
will get caught up.

So as if I don't have enough to do, went shopping
at my favorite quilt shops and found a couple of
new  projects:

Couldn't resist this darling wall hanging and fabric
kit.I was not going to get anything new since I have
so many UFO's but decided to take the advice of one
of the awesome ladies at the quilt shop.  She said
she has made a list of projects that needs to be
completed and carries it with her so when she goes
shopping she can look at her list and then add
her "new" project to the bottom of her list!  Love
it!

Loved this stitchery--it is so simple!  It was
mounted on an artist's canvas board instead
of in a frame or done up as a pillow.  Really
cute!

Purchased "Hocuspocusville" from Crabapple Hill a
few years ago and didn't start it because tracing all
the detailed blocks seemed so overwhelming to me.
But, now thanks to "Fabri-Solvy" from
Bird Brain Designs I now have two blocks printed
and have started stitching one.  Love it!

Also started picking up some of the fabric needed
for this project.

Well I've rambled on long enough, I'm sure.  So
tomorrow I will post pictures of a few more things
that have kept me busy!

Have a great day!  Hope you'll stop by tomorrow!

Nola