A little of this . . a little of that . . .
I saw a picture of the cutest little trashcan on Facebook and fell in love with it. After commenting on it and friends commenting on it one friend shared a can that they had painted themselves and I thought to myself, “I could do that!” So, I painted my own trash can. And of course I shared it on Facebook. Which led to me making four more! Mom and Abby and two for friends all wanted one. Now to go camping again so I can use it!
The older I get the less I decorate for the holidays. I might be just a tad bit lazy. It’s fun to decorate but not so fun putting everything away again. I do have a few things scattered around the house for Easter this year. My bunnies, my dad’s childhood decorations, and some of my cross stitch pin keeps. After taking the pictures I see that I have more scattered around then I thought I did!
I always know where Drew has been. He leaves a trail everywhere he goes! This one was easy – he’s finding places where he can use magnets. Apparently he felt the need to claim the dryer! (I glued magnets on old Scrabble tiles I got at the second hand store and he loves to play with them.)
I woke up yesterday with a tremendous headache. Not something that happens often – thank goodness. I started with a headache and then my neck started hurting. I had bought a pork roast the day before and thought it would be a great time to throw it in the crockpot. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about fixing supper. All day I kept thinking it smelled awful and blamed it on my head. Then when Joe got home I asked him if he thought it smelled right and he said it smelled awful. We decided it wasn’t safe to eat it. So much for trying to think ahead and save myself and my poor head. We ended up going to town for supper. A chicken sandwich and cheeseballs – not healthy but oh so good. And I didn’t have to do dishes after supper!
When we got home we settled in and I worked on my blanket. It’s coming along nicely and it’s getting just big enough that it helps keep me warm while I’m working on it. Perfect!
Did anybody have one of these when they were little? I loved making potholders when I was little and when Drew saw this in the store the other day and asked for it – I just couldn’t tell him no. Now he’s enjoying making potholders. So far he has given one to Grandma and one to me and this one is slated to go to his teacher, Mr. Kingrey. I’m sure he’ll love it! I do wish I still had my old loom. It was metal – these are plastic and have spots that snag. They just don’t make things like the used to.
The best part of the day – I got to start a new book. This is a series that I absolutely love. The Bellingwood Series by Diane Greenwood Muir.
The fun part about these books is Diane grew up in small towns in the Midwest and one of those towns was my little town in southwest Iowa. She was older than me but I remember her. Her series is based around a one wonderful character, Polly Giller, and her family and friends who live in Boone, Iowa. So when Polly visits Ledges State Park – I’ve been there or when she stops in Madrid, I have just visited my sister-in-law who lives there! It’s fun to read about people that remind me of my neighbors, friends and family and my little town life here in the Midwest. The covers of all of her books are beautiful photographs taken by Diane’s very talented photographer husband. The cover of Book 2, A Big Life in a Small Town, showcases the office building where I worked for approximately seven years. Book 16 just came out in December and it’s great to know that there will be another coming out in March, then June, September and again in December. It’s such a special series – every new book is like catching up with old friends. You literally feel as if these people are a part of your life. I love a good series but this one is just so special!
It’s been one of those days. You know it can’t be good when your five year old asks you why you’re so grumpy first thing in the morning when driving him to school. In my defense – he was a bear this morning – I had to jump through hoops to get him up and out the door without being late. Then when I went to pick him up from school – I have to sit for 30 minutes waiting for him to get out – I realized my Kindle hadn’t charged right and was almost dead, I forgot my phone at home, and I didn’t grab my yarn because I had planned to read and not crochet. So I got to sit for 30 minutes doing nothing. Then while making supper I tripled the amount of chili powder I put in the stuffed peppers stuffing and had to start over. Not good on the budget or on my time. Then Drew spilled his glass of milk all over the table and floor. It seemed like everything was against me today. But now, supper is over, the dishes are done. I’m in my jammies and robe, cuddled up with Drew who’s had his bath. Getting ready to work on my blanket because while I was gone picking Drew up from school, my yarn I had been waiting for was delivered. It’s perfect blanket crocheting weather – cold, cold, cold. It was a throw another quilt on the blanket night last night. Now all will be well once Eric gets home from a friend’s house where they are working on their short film for Speech competition. Days like this always end and tomorrow will be a fresh new day!
Thanks for stopping by – Rhonda
Last day of Christmas vacation for the kids. Eric slept in. Drew enjoyed his day – he was loud, full of energy and into everything. He spent a lot of time this morning playing with his Legos and his Dinosaur Play Mobile. While he played away – I taught myself a new crochet stitch. Gotta love You Tube to learn new techniques.
For lunch I tried out a new recipe – Honey Garlic Shrimp. It was yummy. Next time I’ll add some veggies and it will be a perfect meal to make for the boys when Joe is gone. I try to fix meals that the boys like and he doesn’t when he’s gone. Then I tried my hand at making homemade dinner rolls. I’ve never made homemade bread but have been wanting to try. I came across this recipe and thought it sounded good. I always remember my grandma’s homemade rolls. She brought them to every get together and they were so good. I surprised myself – they turned out great. Next time I’ll spend more time making them pretty though!
Eric had a bowling meet tonight. That kid – he’s always trying new things. He’s a senior this year and never really bowled and all of a sudden he decides to go out for the team. He’s on JV of course but does pretty good. He’s having fun and that’s all that counts. I know very little about bowling and am a little lost at the meets but that’s okay. I enjoy watching the boys compete and have fun.
So – a day of new things. New crochet stitch, new recipe, first attempt at baking bread, watching Eric bowl. I fun day of firsts!
Thanks for stopping by – Rhonda
It’s 2017 – a time for new beginnings. And keeping this blog up to date. I don’t know why I stopped – life I guess. And not knowing exactly what I’m doing – it’s a lot easier to just not do anything than it is to figure it out! Anyway – our New Year was quite low key. Joe got a deer and spent yesterday getting it cleaned and in the freezer. Then a quick drive over to Dad and Mom’s. I took my camera along and took a few pictures:
On the way home we decided to go out for supper. Drew and Joe wanted to go to their favorite barbecue place in a neighboring town. We got cleaned up and headed out only to discover they were closed! So Drew decided Arby’s sounded good. Then home it was – for a little crafting, TV and bed around 10:00. We definitely didn’t see the New Year in. I’m not sure when was the last time I have seen the New Year in!
Today I’ve finished my craft project I started yesterday. I needed something to hang on the backdoor and didn’t want to spend any money. So Pinterest it was and here is the finished product.
So simple – clothes pins, scrapbook paper, an embroidery hoop and craft glue. I used some old weathered pins and liked the look so I kept some of them plain. The rest I glued strips of paper onto the pins using craft glue. I also put a coat of glue on the top of the paper for extra sealant.
And for Valentine’s Day I cut out a heart using cardboard from a cereal box and glued matching strips of paper on. Then clipped it on using another clothes pin so I can take it off later and maybe add something different. I might use different paper on the back of the pins and then I’ll have two wreaths in one. Maybe some Easter or springy colors. The best part – this didn’t cost me a thing. I just dug around in my stash (think hoard!) of old scrapbook supplies and I always have clothes pins lying around the house. Perfect use of old supplies!
The rest of the day should be quiet around here. Eric has to work. Joe is cleaning his shop and hauling wood in before it rains. Drew is going to Grandpa and Grandma’s for a sleepover. I’m going to finish putting Christmas stuff away and settle in with a good movie and some stitching. Either a new Jenny Hoffman pattern for Valentine’s Day or crochet some dishcloths. That’s a new one for me – crochet – I taught myself how a couple of months ago and gave dishcloths and hot pads for Christmas. Now I can’t seem to stop! I have some yarn ordered and am going to start on a blanket. I have way too many dish cloths now! I may never have to buy another one, ever! But they are so great to use. So much better than anything you can buy! They are the perfect project when I’m sitting in the van waiting for Drew to get out of school.
Just a small handful of hot pads and dish cloths. Nothing matches – just grabbed the clearance yarn at the store! I’m thinking I might make a few sets for some camping friends of mine – maybe try and color coordinate with their campers. A nice little gift on our next camping get together.
Thanks for visiting!
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. I just wish I liked the taste! I have tried throughout the years but to no avail. I can drink it with creamer – lots and lots of creamer – but then I can’t really call it coffee! So – no coffee drinking for me. But, I do have a fun use for coffee. It works great to prim up a cross stitch piece, or a homemade primitive doll, or a tea towel that is just too white. When it comes to my cross stitch, for some reason a piece just doesn’t look finished to me until I’ve darkened it up with coffee. And maybe some vanilla and cinnamon thrown in the mix!
Here is one of my most recent projects – before the coffee bath. (I have really enjoyed this series by Tammy Black. Sheep and the alphabet – two of my favorite things to stitch!)
In the middle of getting stained. Sorry – my photography skills are definitely lacking.
And the final product – so much better with a little bit of stain.
It is a beautiful spring day here in southeast Iowa. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and there is no wind! It is so nice having the windows open today. Getting fresh air into the house. Definitely a day to just enjoy!
Today is my little one’s birthday. He is five – and loving it! He’s such a sweet boy but can be such a handful. He is all boy – that is for sure. I thought after having raised two boys that one more would be a breeze. He has proved me wrong from the get go! He didn’t have preschool today and it’s my day off so we get to spend the day together – nothing special, just hanging around the house. Tonight we will go to my Dad and Mom’s house for cupcakes and ice cream. This weekend we will get together with his siblings, brother-in-law and his nephew! I cherish the times when the kids are together. It’s not always easy to get them all together when they are spread so apart in age.
Well – off to hang some clothes on the line. I love seeing clothes hanging out. I love not having to run the dryer but more importantly just the act of hanging out the clothes is so calming for me. A time to slow down and enjoy being outdoors. It reminds me of a simpler time!