rainy day happies . . .

Luckily, the rain held off this morning, for the most part. I went down early and opened the gate for a VBS crew we had coming into the camp today. It did rain just a little on my trip down -- just enough to make everything smell clean and earthy. I love summer showers!

The VBS group came in and did their thing. I finished up my Community Group lesson and then Todd & I headed over to chat with them before they left. It's a good thing we left when we did -- they'd packed up early because of the impending thunder storms and were loading the kids up! They'll be back up here for the next four Tuesdays, so I'm sure I'll get the opportunity to play!

Speaking of playing . . . raccoons barely get along with each other. So it's no shock that they don't get along with . . .

Cats! The raccoon walked up behind the [feral] cat (who was laying down there ready to pounce on the next unsuspecting bird). When the cat finally turned around and saw the coon, he JUMPED up and *very* warily backed away.

Yup -- the coon reigns in the clearing! The birds and squirrels don't mind the coons and were probably happy to see him chase the cat out!

Storms did finally move in, and the rainy afternoon lent itself to another of my favorite past times -- reading! I'd recently had a hankering to go back through the Little House series. I'm reading Farmer Boy right now. These are such charming stories.

And so well written. I find myself laughing out loud all through them! I wish, I wish, I *wish* that they were available for the Kindle. I wonder why they aren't?

It was also the perfect afternoon to brew a pot of Chocolate Orange tea and settle in with my latest issue of Tea Time!

Lot's of fun articles and tea parties and recipes in the July/August issue. I read it cover-to-cover! I did see on the tea calendar that there's a Sweet Tea Festival nearby in Thompson's Station, Tennessee, on August 27. There's a website and facebook page for it and everything. Sounds like something I may need to investigate!

i ♥ rainy afternoons!

:)

quilting tea basket . . .

Thought I'd share some of the booty I got in the auction at our quilt guild meeting on Thursday night, especially since this particular purchase combined two of my favorite things . . . quilting and TEA!

The basket was put together by one of the smaller stitch groups within the guild, and it was *full* of fun stuff. I really got my money's worth with this win. And the bidding didn't even go as crazy as I thought it would! I got this basket for $20!!!

Of course, it looked better than this when I won it -- I'd taken it apart, looked at everything and then realized I hadn't taken a picture of it all! The first thing I took out were two boxes of Tazo tea -- one was passion fruit and one was assorted flavors. I took them both to work yesterday, so no pictures of them. But I did enjoy my tea all day long yesterday!

Next out were these cute little cups and saucers! Very sweet. I can see filling them with tea bags and wrapping them with tulle and topping it off with a bow and a gift tag!

Then I pulled out this darling little honey pot. I've never used a honey pot before, although there are some teas that I particularly like sweetened with honey.

Next came this bright & cheery wind chime, by Mary Engelbreit. The spoons wouldn't stay still, so they're a little blurry, but they make me smile and the chime has a pretty sound.

Next was this pretty little teapot frame.

Then this handy tea infuser, with a teapot charm!

And then came the fabrics. Each of these pieces were at least a yard -- most of them were more than two! And it's FUN stuff!

Someone must have done a tea-themed quilt and was donating from their leftover stash? I just know I have several quilts in mind (hahaha) down the road that would love some of this fabric!

This was interesting . . . it might be fun to fussy cut these teapots out, or even cut around them and use them as appliqued pieces on something -- like a tea towel or tea apron.

The birds, well, they made me laugh. But the pink was very pretty. Pretty enough that I took a closer-up picture of it!

Isn't it sweet? Very girlie, tea-party-ish!

This one is just happy, silly, and fun!

I love it -- 'Twist & Spout'!

And this was quite darling too . . .

I think I've actually seen teapots that looked like these! Love the pumpkin teapot, in particular!

So, for $20, don't you think I got a bargain?!? Wait until I pull apart the Christmas basket I got and share that one! LOL! The ladies I sat with (from my stitch group) were laughing at me, because they *know* I live in an RV and that *stuff* is not something I can afford to accumulate! But I think most of these items will become happies for others in the near future! (Except the fabric -- hey, now!)

Last night and today we've got RA's camping in the upper campground. From the sounds of things, they're having a blast! I love it when the smell of campfires is in the air! Todd and I rode up to visit with them briefly last night. The moon was so bright, we almost didn't need lights to see by!

Oh Mr. Moon, moon, bright and shining moon, please shine down on me!

:)

glue gun monday!

Monday was the epitome of a beautiful October day. It was sunny and clear, with enough of a crisp nip in the air to keep you mindful that cold is coming! Sweater weather! This truly kicks off my favorite time of the year -- from now until the end of December!

Todd & I headed to town early, had breakfast at Cracker Barrel, and then headed to the Madison Baptist Association to have our picture taken for the directory. We also ran some other errands -- bank, Tractor Supply for bird seed, and Hunter Road for slippers -- before heading back to the camp. The weather was perfect and traffic was light because all the schools are out for fall break.

To that end, my daughter (the teacher) and I celebrated by meeting up at Emma's Tea Room for lunch. And my sweet girl brought me a pretty ceramic pumpkin! It totally went with my outfit, so the proprietor, Rebekah, insisted that I hold it in the picture.

My beautiful daughter is twenty-one weeks pregnant and just found out last week that she's going to have a BOY!! She's very excited, as is this grandma! Another grandson for me! I'm *so* very blessed!!!

After lunch, we made a trip to Hobby Lobby. I love that place! I could have spent a LOT of money there, but RV living makes that rather pointless, so I restrained myself to this darling little thing . . .

It rather perfectly goes with our whole "living in a campground' way of life!

From there, we headed over to Earth Fare. We had planned to go one Saturday in May, but the day before we were supposed to go, I had the wreck. It's a nice store -- fairly similar to our favorite Whole Foods Market, in Nashville! I can see it getting more traffic from the two of us! She did mention that it would make sense for us to coordinate our menus, so that we could shop & split. Since we're both cooking for two, it makes sense!

While I was there, I purchased an apple and a pear. When I finally got home, I made a yummy apple & pear tart for Todd & I. It seemed like the perfect fall dessert.

After dinner that evening I got out my trusty hot glue gun and finally started on the candy corn wreath for my Secret Pal. My sister gave me that hot glue gun AGES ago for my birthday, and it's the best one I've ever worked with. It's cordless, so I can remove it from the base and not be hampered by a pesky cord. It's been a while since I'd used it -- I forget how much fun they are!

I used a round, straw wreath form, instead of the styrofoam form (which has squared edges). I have to admit it made the placement of the corn a little more difficult, but I like the look better.

I'll hang it outside on Friday, once the candy corn has had time to get good & stale, and I'll spray the whole thing with a preserving spray. Once that's dry, I'll but the black ribbon on it and it'll be ready for delivery.

While I was playing with Jocelyn, Todd gathered up some acorns for me. I figured while I already had the glue gun out, I'd use those and some tiny pine cones I'd collected from Hunter Road to make something fallish.

Isn't it nice the way nature supplies such great crafting materials??

These little pine cones are really darling. And they look like flowers, when you look down on them!

Just playing around with things I had, I fashioned a cute napkin ring holder. Cute, huh? Worth making a second, I think. It was super easy -- it's just ribbon wrapped around a section of sleeve cut from a paper towel cardboard. I hot glued the ribbon in place, and added the decorations I wanted. Super simple, but pretty cute.

Finally, I was going through my fall pdf files, and stumbled across this little guy that I'd found in Martha Stewart's Living magazine. I haven't finished cutting him out, but you get the gist. It's a favor holder -- you fill the log with chocolates or nuts or candy. Since I'm using them more for decor than for favors, I'll fill 'em with pea gravel. I just thought they were really cute!

Happy Fall, ya'll!

:)

lovely tea diversions . . .

Well, looking ahead, the coming week is full of possibility! Wednesday I have an appointment with the orthopedist, and I am hoping she allows me to begin bearing weight on my right foot again, which will open up so many opportunities. Moving back into our RV at the camp and driving, not the least of these! After that appointment, I have an appointment with my family doc, who's treating the blasted spider bite. While the inflammation is nearly completely gone, the (now) quarter-sized bruise and the dark blistery looking thing are still present. Don't know what this bodes, unless it's more waiting, which wouldn't surprise me.

I've already made good headway (i.e., I'm almost finished) with the eighth of the redwork blocks. I'd like to have all ten finished by Tuesday eve! Then I'll start processing out the other blocks. The pattern calls for a simple nine patch in reds and whites, but I'm thinking I'd like to add a denim look to this quilt! But more on that later, when I've finished the redwork.

For today, I've been playing around in my photo directory, and pulled up some fun tea tables I've done in days past. When we moved from house to RV, most of my 'dainties' (though not all) were left behind for my daughter and daughter-in-law. But I do love a good tea party, and thought I'd share some of my favorite memories in the form of photos, today . . .

This was the first table that I ever hosted, for the Flint River Mother-Daughter Tea. That was in 2006. I used my everyday china because I was so in love with the colors! It's still a favorite -- I love the yellows, greens, and blues. They make me smile!

This was my table the next year, for the same tea. I was a little more elegant and went with my Lenox Kelly china (which I did take with me on the RV). This was such a fun table, and I loved making the violet sachet favors!

This was a little tea party I did for my daughter and her friend/roommate, when they made a weekend trip home from college. It wasn't ultra-fancy, but it was fun and the food was tasty! My kitchen was decorated in apples and since that was the setting, I used my apple tea set and the apple snack plates and cups.

This was an impromptu afternoon tea setting for Joc and I, late one weekend when she was home from college. I love having tea with my girl!

This was a tea table I did at First Baptist Gurley, when my Sunday school class hosted a tea party for all the senior adult ladies of the church. As with the previous church tea parties I'd done, each table was hosted and decorated by a different lady. The different tables were all so beautiful, and it was such a fun afternoon! The tea service I used here was one Jocelyn brought back for me from her second mission trip to China. It's beautiful!

And this table was the last table I did at Flint River, in 2009. Jocelyn and I co-hosted at this mother-daughter tea! We invited two of our dear friends and their daughters, and Joc's mother-in-law (to be, at the time) and her daughter. We had a lovely afternoon. If I'm remembering correctly, I gave the tea etiquette portion of the program!

I wish I'd thought to take pictures of the last tea I had here at the house. After Joc's wedding, I did a tea party for her two flower girls and their mommies. It was my sister and my niece, Lucy, and my friend Jenda, and her daughter Emma Grace. We had such a fun afternoon! But I forgot to get pictures! What was I thinking??

I have such fond tea time memories . . . I think it may be time to brew a pot!

Cheers!

:)

homemade ice cream . . .

Today. I will keep my leg elevated (both for the healing break *and* the spider bite). I will work on my next redwork block, Sawyer and His Pal, I will read from the latest issue of Tea Time, which came in yesterday's mail *yay!*, and I will start reading a book online, Invitation to Tea, which I found thanks to Angela McRae.

And maybe make some homemade peach ice cream. Well, probably.

More than likely.

Many years ago, probably close to seventeen, I bought a little 1-pint Donvier ice cream maker. It was fast (sometimes instant gratification is a good thing), incredibly easy, the kids could help, and it was just big enough for the three of us.

As the years passed and the kids grew older (and ate more ice cream in a serving), the Donvier got set aside and forgotten. Until recently. Since the kids are grown and gone and we're just the two of us now, we don't need a big ol' ice cream maker (and really, we don't need a whole lot of ice cream in the house to tempt us). And since space is at a premium in the RV (and the RV's freezer), it's easier to make the ice cream we occasionally want to eat.

It became apparent that it was time for the Donvier to re-appear.

I pulled it out this week to try and make a
sugar-free, low-fat vanilla ice cream.

I whipped up my five ingredients . . .

Poured the mix into the chillfast container . . .

Snapped the lid on and inserted the crank handle . . .

And I churned . . . and churned . . .

And churned a little more . . .

And in less than 20 minutes, I had a pint of ice cream!

Topped with cherry sauce and a little whipped cream . . .

Very tasty.

Okay, I will *definitely* be making some
homemade peach ice cream today!

Happy Saturday!

:)

happy wed-nes-day!

Only TWO more days to go HERE and enter to win my fabulous giveaway!

One of the benefits of not working on Mondays is that the middle of the standard work week comes *very* quickly and painlessly! :) This week I'm off on Friday as well (my mom & dad are coming into town to meet their new (and first) great-grandchild -- yay)!!! What a nice work week for me! I believe I'll take my mom out to lunch at Emma's Tea Room on Friday. One of my *most favorite* tea places!

I forgot to mention that I received, via e-mail, the first e-book for review from C&T. The only down to the book is that it doesn't include the patterns, so I can't really speak about them, which is unfortunate (especially since such a big part of reviewing an applique book would include the quality / layout / spacing of the patterns. I'll make it work. I picked out a simple, cute square to work with and I'll have something in the next two weeks to show for it. Other than the pattern thing, the book itself is fun, and I enjoyed my initial flip through it! Whimsical is a good word in the title -- the birds crack me up!

I also finally got around to putting out my Easter things that I saved from the house.

You know, since we've moved in, I've had fall/Thanksgiving decorations out, Christmas decorations out, winter decorations out (yes, I have "winter" decor!), Valentine decorations out and now Easter/spring decorations! I hope I've got something to fill all this space when there's no holiday! LOL!

And I didn't forget the outside . . . of course, I've already talked about this door decoration. My door wreath (or the wren's home, depending on who you talk to)!

The wren was nestled in BEHIND the bunny. I didn't stand a chance!

Our weather is *so* beautiful today! It's supposed to get up into the 70's by this afternoon. I am wearing my Yellowboxes today, in anticipation! My MM (Mighty Man) took off to go fishing it's so wonderful today. Oh for that luxury . . . ! (Said the girl who's only working three days this week. Hmmmm.)

Have a happy and quilty day!

:)

finally . . . giveaway time!

Happy National Quilting day (again) and HAPPY SPRING!!

I bet you were wondering if I was really going to pull this off today, huh? :) We had a wonderful day, wandering hither and yon, shopping here and there, eating and catching a movie . . . but I digress (and I'll tell more tomorrow)!

Finally, I've got it all together . . . we're having a giveaway!!

First: Heart for a Hero - a signed copy, personalized for the winner. Great story, great read.

Second, we've got the current issue of Tea Time magazine, along with a box of my favorite tea, Pomegranate Pizzazz, and to celebrate the first day of Spring, a copy of Celebrate Spring! The two magazines are both offerings of Hoffman Media, a privately owned publisher out of Birmingham, Alabama. They publish all of my favorite, non-quilting magazines, including the two I'm offering and Southern Lady, Sew Beautiful, Victoria, and Cooking With Paula Deen, to name a few!

For the final offering, I traveled here . . .

Hooked on Quilting, one of my favorite local quilt shops. She has a wonderful selection of novelty fabrics, as well as 30's prints, baby prints, batiks and more. I know this was the place to find something that spoke of our cat commonality, and I wasn't wrong!!

I found these darling Timeless Treasures prints . . . which blogspot refuses to put in my blog correctly. Whimsical fat cat quarters!

And we'll top if off with a pattern for a darling cell phone 'catty'!

Books, tea, spring, cats . . . this is fun stuff! You want it??? You know you do!

So here's the deal:

Leave a first (1st) comment that just says anything you want to say. That simple step will give you one entry.

Want another chance? Become a follower of my blog and leave me a second (2nd) comment saying that you have (or that you already are--God bless you)!

Want an even another chance? Good enough; blog about my giveaway (including a link back to my blog) on *your* blog, then leave me a third (3rd) comment with a link that confirms you've done so!

Easy-peasy!

Make *sure* you leave me a way to get in touch with you in one of your comments, especially if you're a no-reply blogger. If I can't get in touch with you, well, it's counter-productive.

Make sure you leave a comment for EACH entry (so you get all three of your chances).

I'll leave this active until Friday, March 26th, at 7 am, and then I'll let the online random number generator do its magic and select the winner!!!

Good luck!

:)

happy saint patrick's day!

Erin go braugh! Which is the anglicized way of saying "Éirinn go brách" or "Ireland Forever"! Of course, if my Scot ancestors had any clue I was even thinking such things and wearing green today, it wouldn't be pretty! But St. Patrick was an honorable man, and I don't mind remembering his accomplishments on this day!

Let me preface this post by saying I had all my pictures on my memory stick, but when I loaded it into the computer, for some reason the directory I'd copied them onto isn't visible here. Pooh. And time to back up and punt . . .

This morning we had an incident with some tree-huggers. Pesky things. Why won't they leave us alone????? LOL! Before anyone gets upset, I'm talking about raccoons! They've been hijacking our bird feeders and suet cages for a couple of weeks now. Some mornings we'll get up and find the bird feeders are off the hanger (no matter how securely my hubby tries to tie it up there). And we lost several suet cages to them. This morning we opened up the shade to find one lone coon still hugging the tree, pawing into the suet cage. He wasn't deterred by our window-knocking, either!

Not long after he climbed down and loped away, the deer wandered in. We have a couple of different groups that come up and feed on our Acorn Hill. In the last week or so there have been times when we had more than twenty deer! It's incredible to be able to sit at the kitchen table and just watch deer for an hour or so, 20-40 feet away. I love it!

Yesterday was a busy mail day! I received this in the mail from Julie, over at "Me & My Quilts ~ Exploring the Possibilities". I had been the lucky winner in her '600 Post Giveaway'! Yay for me! I can't wait to sit down with this and explore my inner creative child! I didn't even know I *had* one! LOL! :)

I also forgot to mention that I'd received this in the mail, too! It's a quilt kit from Downy. Mine didn't look exactly like this (I got one with Noah's Ark themed fabric), but this gives you the general idea. They send you the fabric to piece a complete top and the backing--you provide the batting--for you to sew, wash, and send back to them.

The Quilts for Kids mission is to Transform discontinued, unwanted and other fabrics into patchwork quilts that comfort children with life-threatening illnesses and children of abuse. You can read more about them here or sign up to receive a kit here.

And time for giveaway teaser number two . . .

I mentioned yesterday that I often saw several areas of commonality in the quilting community; tea drinking was one of those areas! So I thought I'd share a box of one of my favorite Bigelow teas, Pomegranate Pizzazz! You can sip it while you peruse a copy of the current issues of Tea Time and Celebrate Spring magazines! Tea Time is one of my all time favorite magazines; I have every issue ever published! And Celebrate is the newest in the Hoffman Media collection; always lots of fun ideas for entertaining in the current season!

So, add that sweet little combo to yesterday's Heart for a Hero . . . and then remember I've got one more day to add a teaser!

Whoohoo!

:)