Saturday, May 27, 2017

MEMORIAL DAY 2017




I hope everyone has a safe and nice weekend.  It's hard to wish happiness when we are thinking of all current and past armed services members who were or are in harm's way.  Thank you to all.
mary

Thursday, May 25, 2017

THINGS I LIKE MAY 25

Greetings!

Where the heck did the week go? I can't believe it's another Thursday. Here are the things I liked this week:

1. My new Lime Table Topper made from a charm pack -Mimosa by Another Point of View onto a blue background. It finished about 12 inches square:

It was an experiment to join half of a charm to another half and cut out a 5 inch dresden plate, so fun.

2, A retro Red Vinyl Tablecloth for my kitchen table. I had never sewn with vinyl before and loved making this in about an hour!  I cut the vinyl to the circle measurement of the table and added a white 2.5 inch border:


Isn't it cute!  With a klutzy adult brother and then my 12 year old grandson, this is so much easier on a glass table  then just placemats.  LOVE IT!  Too bad I couldn't remember how to calculate the circumference of the table (Ugh-Geometry was 50 years ago!) so I just kept sewing jelly rolls together to fit the tablecloth.  yes, I was too lazy and too much in a hurry to Google the formula. Oh well.

3. Sweet Chili Chicken. I am so into easy. I put 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs (spread out) in the crock pot. Added Thai Sweet Chili Sauce to each one and drizzled agave syrup all over.  Adding the slice sweet pepper and then Tarragon sprinkled on top makes it pretty.  I covered them with a parchment paper tent, then the lid.  Cooked on high 3 hours and done. Really good. Not too spicy. Just right.This meal for 2 cost a buck-thighs were on sale for $1.77 a pound.


You're welcome.

On a serious note, I DO NOT LIKE WHAT OUR WORLD HAS BECOME with such violence to innocent victims at a concert in Manchester England. I don't have any answers. I just wish they could stop terrorists. Quite frankly, I don't think they can. Sorry to end on a sad note.

I do hope everyone has a safe happy weekend.
mary






Thursday, May 18, 2017

THINGS I LIKE MAY 18

Greetings!

It's been another crazy week and things are going to get even crazier. I'm going to spend 2 days a week watching, playing, pretending school, enjoying my grandson this summer.  In the past, he went to summer school or UCP for respite care every day in the school summer vacation. So, I will cut back (pun intended) on my quilting until August when he returns to school. What happened to being off ALL summer from school? Since it is unbearably hot here in the summer, it's really hard on special- needs, wheelchair bound persons  to transport in the heat. Oh well, who knows how the school calendars are decided. Anyway, I am so looking forward to spending these fun days with him.  I plan to try teaching him more life skills as well. I can't believe he will be 13 in June!

I do plan to keep up my blog especially on Thursdays for our "like" posts.  I NEED IT! for my sanity based on the daily news. So, here is my list for this week:

I like:
1. Coconut milk. I have become lactose intolerant the last few years (added to my other allergies). But, lactose free cow's milk is so expensive. So I've been trying different alternatives. I especially like coconut milk by this brand and unflavored so I can add to it if I like.

Recently, I made tapioca pudding with this milk and it was divine.

2. Feeling better. Gee, that's a no- brain-er.  My allergies went bonkers 10 days ago and I developed bronchitis because of it, so I have been suffering.  It's not a pretty picture.  Can I say with all the over -the -counter drugs which I cannot take, Vicks Vaporub is still a great standby at night. Just sayin.  I can't take hardly any of the sinus, cold, flu, pills or liquids because I feel worse from the side effects.

3. My new May plants.  I received a gift card for my local nursery and picked up a few new plants.


The tall purple one is Salvia and has the most unusual fragrance. It's a new one for me. I also purchased another stand -by for the summer, Vinca and a baby Kolanchoe for the kitchen.

4. My new Tea Wallet. Sometimes, while dining in a restaurant or I'm visiting my kids' house,  I want caffeine free tea( hot or cold) but it is not available. So, I made a Tea Wallet to carry tea in my purse.


Here is a photo of the template I made on card stock.




I cut out 2 from layer cakes (one for exterior and 1 for lining) and a matching piece from Pellon 808. I attached the interfacing to the lining and sewed the exterior to the lining right sides together leaving a small opening.  I top stitched the edge and quilted a few lines. Then, it was just a matter of folding the four sides in, tacking the left and right to the bottom piece and I attached a small piece of black elastic to the back of the top piece. The picture above is when it's open. The elastic is to keep the wallet closed.  Sorry for no tutorial. I really didn't know if this would work.

I hope you are healthy and happy.  Please hook up with Lee Anna at NOT AFRAID OF COLOR for all our likes!
mary



Thursday, May 11, 2017

THINGS I LIKE MAY 11

Greetings!

Happy May to everyone. Here are my "likes" this week even tho I am sick with allergies! I'm trying.

1.  Tomato Harvest. Ok, maybe that's a little exaggerated. Here's a pic of my one small tomato. So cute. The plant grew too fast in 100 degrees in April.


2. Gluten Free  Zucchini Waffles. Wow- veggies for breakfast.  I use Gluten Free Bisquick for pancakes and waffles(the best). I thought I would try adding one small zuke peeled, shredded and added cinnamon, dash of nutmeg and vanilla to the batter. SCORE! Try it- you can't taste the zucchini and it's better for us.

3.  Making a Dog Bowl Pad for my son's new home.  I went to visit their new finished home. It is just beautiful. They have 2 large dogs with large water bowls. But, with those nice new floors I could see the water staining the wood, so I asked if they would like a pad for the water bowls and they said "YES!".  So, I took some layer cakes and scraps and made one 48 x 18. Plenty of room for the big water bottle as well. Perfect colors for their floor also. I used scrap battings sewn together and a left over gray scrap for the backing. I consider that free.

I don't know why it looks green here.  It's a dark gray with beige and brown.

4. A new quilt basted and ready for quilting. The Courage quilt.  This is a small throw 37 x 46. I used a charm pack of Heritage Reds and Blues from Benartex and half pack of Bell Solids Zen gray charms. I bordered and backed it with a navy/gold small print fabric. Only 75 pins used for backing. I usually use at least 100 but this is a small one. It's for my daughter to accompany the patriot pillows a few weeks ago. It was so quick to put together- maybe 10 hours total. Love it.



Hope you enjoyed my likes today.  Please join LeeAnna at:Not Afraid of Color for more likes.
mary


Thursday, May 4, 2017

THINGS I LIKE MAY 4

Greetings!

I have been so  busy  lately it's all I can do to blog for Thursdays! We have 5 family birthdays in May, My son built a new home and Mothers Day is soon.  Lots of gift planning.

Please join me at Lee Anna's siteNot Afraid of Color to see all of the positive vibes.
Here are my faves today:

1. Pretty, comfy, cotton p.j's for the summer. It gets so hot here you barely want clothes on. But, I cannot seem to purchase anything in the stores that fit, so I made a pair. I just took a pair of knit ones, drew lines around the seams for a front and back while adding 2 inches and just sewed everything together! I added soft elastic in the waist band -done and done. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures.  It's not like I didn't have pretty fabric in the stash.

2.The month of May.  First of all (literally) it's my birthday, Mother's Day, other family birthdays, flowers are in bloom till they die in June, graduations, and just all around nice times.

3. My new Queen's chair.  So, there's a story about this.  I'm a frugal person most times and I'm on a fixed income since retirement, so I'm pretty careful with money.  BUT, lately I've seen a few websites showing small comfortable patios with lovely plants, a pretty big comfy chair, pillows, ladies lounging with a good book......... You get the idea.  Anyway, I like my patio but I never spend time out there.  So I purchased a high- back white wicker chair! I also got new throws and pillows. All from the At Home store. I love this and can now sit out there very early in AM (sunrise at about 5:30) and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds while meditating and reading for about an hour. What a luxury:

It's not the greatest photo but you have an idea.  When I'm done, I throw a new shower curtain over the whole thing, clasp with a clothes pin and everything stays clean and pretty on the covered patio. I was actually cold this morning in 64 degrees and right now we are flirting with 100 degrees in the afternoon.  The hibernation due to heat will start soon but at least I can go out in the morning for a little bit.

4.  My little baby Zinnia's. I started them from seed with plastic wrap over the top about a month ago. I have lots! so, I'm babying them along. So cute.



Well, that's all for today but I hope you have enjoyed the view. Join Lee Anna for more.
Have a great day.  May the fourth be with you!
mary