She'Sick...

Killian, here...

She woke me up last night cause she had the shivers, felt awful hot, was coughing, sneezing, had a sore throat, and said her head hurt.

I tried my best to make her feel better - I even licked her hands...and rubbed my head against her leg - but, it didn't do much good.

Right now she is trying to drink some orange juice and just be still...I hope she's better by tomorrow. I don't like it when my mommy is sick.

She wanted me to post a photo for Pat - said to tell her this was one of the sleeves...she'll post the rest later on...

Friday Fill-Ins...#113...

1. I'm fun to be with, I'm caring and loving, I'm a really good friend.

2. Why do I have so much creativity and not oodles of money?

3. How does this living alone thing work, anyway?

4. Every morning, I put my medicines out on my desk in front of the computer so that I remember to take them.

5. I consider myself lucky because I am happy and content with my life.

6. One day we’ll see people who differ from each other because of sexual orientation be equal and able to have the same benefits as everyone else. And, hate crimes will be a thing of the past.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having had lunch with a friend and spending time working on my class project, tomorrow my plans include taking the second part of my quilting class and Sunday, I want to spend the day with Mom if the weather permits - if not it will be Monday!

Double Duty...

Check out this fabric!

I fell in love with the flowery fabric in the back - enough that I decided to send a fat quarter of it to each of the people whose name I drew in the Sew Mama Sew Fat Quarter Swap. In addition, the fabric in the front matches so beautifully that a fat eighth of it will be going along too.

But, the best part is that my project from class will need a lining and since it will be reversible - I am using that wonderful flowery fabric...with the other fabric for the binding! Oh, it is going to be beautiful!!!

Projects...

Been working on these back scrubbers for the OWOH giveaway. They should be done by this week-end. Tried to have them done last week-end but then with all the things going on with Scarlett - I didn't have time to finish them.

Have also been working on a special class project where the final class will be this Saturday - and I hope to post photos tomorrow. (Pat, just for you!!!)

So, Scarlett left today...after we spent last night making two music cds - one to be played at the chapel service...and the other at Helen's celebration of life.

Now, I'm off to have dinner - cooking myself some really good blueberry pancakes...with lovely fresh blueberries...

Ten On Tuesday...

Ten Favorite Ethnic Foods

1) Cuban and Puerto Rican food - it is my favorite food...it is the food I grew up on! (with a little Pennsylvania Dutch thrown in for good measure).

2) Sushi - to me Sushi is an ethnic food all to it's self. It is also an artform.

3) Southern BBQ - There is nothing better - nothing better - than BBQ cooked in a pit or huge brick pits. There was a place in Tampa - I'll never forget it - and I'd go there tomorrow - Called Alabama John's BBQ. He was the nicest Black preacher man - and he and his family ran this BBQ place...melt in your mouth ribs! When I was pregnant and I couldn't get out for lunch where I worked - I'd call in an order and he would deliver it to me. (and, they didn't do delivery) - but that's how often I ate there.

4) Amish/Mennonite foods - simple homemade goodness.

5) New England has distinct regional foods. There are a lot of flavors mixed in New England foods.

6) French food -not in the least bit skilled at cooking it...but, used to go to a restaurant when I lived in Tampa that catered to folks who loved French food.

7) Italian food - although I tend to eat more white sauces than red. Am a big fan of the food Mario Batalli cooks.

8) Chinese - I've always loved Chinese food...

9) Greek or Mediterranean foods - not all of it - but a lot of it! Living close to Tarpon Springs, Florida and having many Greek friends - I learned to enjoy their foods and culture.

10) American Meat and Potatoes type food...plain, hearty, stick-to-your-bones food! I don't know if there is a name for that ... but that's what it is.

New Project...

Can't believe how much I am loving this new project that we had the class for! Work will continue tomorrow and by then there should be more than enough to show photos...

Today was spent sorting, making prints, making cds, and DVDs of photos of Helen's life. Scarlett and I managed to scan 90 photos on a cd. From that and her thumb card we printed 129 photos...once we scanned them we made a cd so she doesn't have to do that again. Then we made two DVDs of 60 of the photos. We picked the song - "on the road again" by Willie Nelson...she really loved that song and it described her life. The DVD will be shown at the "celebration of her life".

It was nice getting to work on it and see the finished product as I will not be going down to Florida.

Well, gotta run - it is almost time for quilt guild meeting...

Taking today off...

Thank you to all of you for your kind messages and e-mails. I am doing okay. And, Scarlett is on her way home. Actually she is in Boston as we speak waiting for the Dartmouth Coach that will get her home...hopefully before the snow storm.

The funeral will be next Saturday in Florida...

Today, I am just going to chill and work on my class project...and next Sunday, I'll resume My Corner of the World...with a trip to see Deb Tucker and her miniature quilts.

Scarlett...

Scarlett's mother, Helen, passed away at 3:15 a.m. this morning, February 21, 2009.

Scarlett, her family, and those of us who loved Helen are doing as well as can be expected. Funeral services will be in Florida next Saturday.

Cornish Hen Party...

For the last couple of years my quilt guild in Cornish hosts the Cornish Hen Party. The party is always the first Sunday in June in the early afternoon. Everyone brings a covered dish, their own placemat, napkin, plate, silverware, and glass. We mix and get to know each other - and at the end of the dinner we introduce ourselves and talk about our interests.

The interesting part of the Hen Party is that it is only women - no roosters or chicks allowed. (except for nursing babies)

Last year we made a quilt - that was given away to one of the attendees. Each person gets a ticket and if one wishes more chances we sell them at one for $1 or 6 for $5. Last year's quilt was a HUGE success. Everyone wanted to win it. So we decided to use the money to buy the fabric for this year's quilt. Each of the guild members makes a block...

Here is the block I made:

All the fabric is the same as is the pattern. We love this pattern and make all of our charity quilts using it.

Friday Fill-Ins #112...

1. Give me scraps of fabric and I'll make a beautiful quilt.

2. Whenever I think of Florida, I think about all the good restaurants that were there.

3. I wish I were having a breaded steak sandwich on hot Cuban bread. Somehow this is all about food...must be hungry.

4. Baked Steelhead trout with fresh grilled asparagus and boiled red potatoes was the last thing I ate that was utterly delicious.

5. To live in this world one should appreciate the beauty surrounding us.

6. Other than this one, Not-So-Plain Jane is the last blog I commented on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching a little television and knitting, tomorrow my plans include going to a quilting class and Sunday, I want to finish up the quilting class!

You can play here

On a serious note: Please hold Scarlett in your thoughts - she is on her way to Asheville, NC. Her mother was in surgery for 4-1/2 hours this morning as she "threw a blood clot and it was at the base of her aorta". She is in her late 70s early 80s (can't remember) and is currently in critical condition.

Getting Ready...

No, not for spring...although I hope it isn't too far away. We had snow last night but not enough to complain about or brag about.

No, I'm getting ready for a class that I'm taking this week-end...so, I will be busy cutting fabric.

Yesterday's post talked about a song that I truly feel describes me - yet most of the folks who commented didn't know the song...so here it is.

This is me...Musically...

Yesterday's theme really got me thinking. There had to be one song that really spoke about my life...and this one has to be it...I really relate to this song - a lot!

80's Ladies - by K. T. Oslin

We were three little girls from school.
One was pretty, one was smart
And one was a borderline fool.
Well she's still good lookin'
That woman hadn't slipped a bit.
The smart one used her head
She made her fortune.
And me, I cross the border every chance I get.

We were the girls of the 50's.
Stoned rock and rollers in the 60's.
And more than our names got changed
As the 70's slipped on by.
Now we're 80's ladies.
There ain't been much these ladies ain't tried.

We've been educated.
We got liberated.
And had complicating matters with men.
Oh, we've said "I do"
And we've signed "I don't"
And we've sworn we'd never do that again.
Oh, we burned our bras,
And we burned our dinners
And we burned our candles at both ends.
And we've had some children
Who look just like the way we did back then.

Oh, but we're all grown up now.
All grown up,
But none of us could tell you quite how.

We were the girls of the 50's.
Stoned rock and rollers in the 60's.
Hunny, more than our names got changed,
As the 70's slipped on by.
Now we're 80's ladies.
There ain't been much these ladies ain't tried.

A- my name is Alice.
I'm gonna marry Artie.
We're gonna sell apples
And live in Arkansas.

B- my name is Betty.
I'm gonna marry Bobby.
We're gonna sell beans
And live in Brazil.

C- my name is Connie.
I'm gonna marry Charlie.
We're gonna sell cars
And live in California.

Ten On Tuesday...

Ten Songs That Describe You Or Your Life

1) Baby, It's Cold Outside - Has to describe my birth as my mom's cab was stuck in a snow storm on the way to the hospital.

2) Born to be Wild - I'm sure my mother and grandmother thought that when I was a teenager...Elvis, the Beatles, The Stones...

3) Imagine - Always have been a dreamer and imagined that I could do anything I set my mind to - and I have.

4) I Wanna Hold Your Hand - describes how I felt when I saw my baby girl for the first time - I just wanted that little tiny hand in mine to hold on to forever.

5) Morning by Edvard Greig - speaks to my love of classical music...

6) Friends in Low Places - shows the fun side of me...

7) Somebody To Love - and it took me until I was almost 50 to find that person unfortunately we were only together for 11 years before we both moved on.

8) Picture - reminds me of my mother. As soon as she would hear the opening bars to this - she would say "That's the Picture song" - and sometimes when we were driving - she'd ask for me to play it. Go figure, my 92 year old mother likes Kid Rock!

9) Red Neck Woman - I can be - Seems I can fit into most situations - mainly because I treat people the same - whether they are rich or poor. I really don't care - it is the person that matters.

10) Winter Wonderland - describes my life in New Hampshire...

Quilt Guild Night...

Tonight on of my quilt guilds is meeting - so, I am trying to get organized since guess who is doing the program!

Just don't feel organized at all - and it didn't help that the sinus headache from hell hit me this morning and caused me a few hours of torture! But, I am feeling better and ready to head off.

Also, have to find a large sweat shirt! Taking a class this week-end on making a quilted jacket using the sweat shirt as the pattern. Stopped at Walmart and they did not have any - so, I may head up to K-Mart on my way to quilt guild...and just might treat myself to dinner somewhere along the way...

Have a good Tuesday...

Busy...Quilting...

Quilting has taken up some time this past week - and it has been such fun to get back into it. Since I received my new sewing machine a few years ago - I've not used it to quilt a quilt. The piecing, borders, and bindings have been put on with the machine - but the actual quilting - NAH..

This month over at Sew Mama Sew they are offering a tutorial on machine quilting using a doll quilt to practice on.

So, this is my little quilt top - (it is on my carpet). Used some florals that I had in my stash - and it is cute..

Here I have it sandwiched - was rather proud that it is really smooth. But, I tend to use my iron a lot when piecing...each and every seam is pressed. Currently the little quilt is pinned and ready to be quilted.

This a shot of the backing that was used. It will probably be used for the binding too - or I might use the fabric from the border - haven't decided yet.

So, it is ready for the quilting step...which is this week! Promise to show you the finished product...

My Corner of the World...

Today my corner of the world goes to California and to my friends...whose lives could change for no other reason than people just can't accept anyone that is different...how can that be in our great country?

Please open your minds and your hearts as you watch this video...




And, if you are so inclined, please go here and sign the petition.

Happy Valentine's Day...

Yes, it is about love...

The other night I was blog jumping and ran across this photo and a newsclipping at a blog belonging to Bittersweet.

To see this fireman share his water with that sweet hurt little animal just speaks volumes about caring about others.


From Sydney, Australia AP writer, Kristen Gelineau:

"One furry survivor has emerged a star: a koala, nicknamed "Sam" by her rescuers, was found moving gingerly on scorched paws by a fire patrol on Sunday. Firefighter David Tree offered the animal a bottle of water, which she eagerly accepted, holding Tree's hand as he poured water into her mouth - a moment captured in a photograph seen around the world."

Friday Fill-In #111...

1. It seems like spring is arriving early...but, then the weather could change instantly!

2. Would you loan me that book when you're done, please?

3. If I thought you wouldn't say I was wasting money or that you had to work and couldn't spend time with me I'd fly out to see you!

4. The happy times is what I think of most when I think of you.

5. To me, Valentine's Day means just another cash flow day for Hallmark!

6. Knowing myself and believing in myself gives me strength.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting started on somethings I need to get done (like mail), tomorrow my plans include going for a walk if the weather stays this nice and the ice on the sidewalks is gone and Sunday, I want to travel the world by watching six travel DVDs I checked out at the library!

You can play here!!!

OWOH Winners...

A huge thank you to everyone who entered my OWOH giveaway.

This giveaway was a lot of fun for me. My little blog generated 171 comments! Two were posted twice - so, I only counted them as one each. I decided to give away one knit backscrubber for each 25 comments I had...so that gave me a total of 7!

I used this random generator thing...and these are the numbers it spit out.

True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

133
11
4
19
68
123
35
Timestamp: 2009-02-12 16:21:46 UTC

And, here are the winners along with their comments. E-mails are on the way...

133: At 10:27 PM, Stephanie said...
What a great giveaway! Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks!Stephaniewww.luluscottage.blogspot.com#813 on the OWOH Caravanisastephanie @ yahoo.com

11: At 4:47 PM, Shelley said...
My back is starting to itch...I need that thing! Great giveaway! Thanks for participating!

4: At 3:50 PM, Smokeylady60 said...
very nice item Pleae add me to your list and if you would like pleasejoin mine I am number 303

19: At 7:09 PM, MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...
what a nice homemade item- please include me!

68: At 7:04 PM, Franny said...
Lovely giveaways! I would jump for joy to win something the day after my 20th anniversary!I have never been to this event before so after seeing so many presents, I became a participant!I am so amazed at the generosity. I am particularly moved by some of the comments that are so heartfelt.This has really inspired me to be more creative and to blog more. I have enjoyed meeting you and getting in touch with your blog.Come and visit me on Picklebeans!picklebeans@gmail.com

123: At 10:50 PM, Barbara Olivo Cagle said...
I would love to win your package of knits! Your site is so beautiful. I would love to win your prize. After this is all over I’m going to spend more time viewing every ones. Please stop at my site too. I’m giving away my new book “16 x MOM: A Mastery of Motherhood.” I will personally sign it for you.blog.http://blog.barbaracagle.com/2009/02/01/one-world-one-heart.aspx#AddCommentBarbara #830barbara@barbaracagle.com

35: At 11:59 AM, Jingle said...
This seems useful! Please include me!jinglesells at gmail dot com

MeMe - It's a Busy Day...

Your Independence Level: Very High

You do things your own way. Even if everyone else thinks you're wrong. You cherish your freedom, and you resent rules. No one knows what's right for you as much as you do. You can take care of yourself... and you do a mighty fine job of it.

How Independent Are You?

Ten on Tuesday...

Ten Favorite Places To Shop

This week we had a choice on which we wanted to do - Since I don't watch Children's movies - I didn't feel qualified for that one...

(edited to say) - I have seen some childrens movies but at my age - I haven't seen any in a long, long while...I do have a favorite - The Lady and the Tramp)

But, I do shop...and here are my Ten Favorite Places to Shop!

1) Any quilt shop - they are all wonderful and have great things to offer.

2) Any yarn shop - they are all wonderful and have great things to offer.

3) Fiber or Sheep and Wool Festivals - it is such fun to meet the people who are so creative and who raise the animals that give us such lovely fiber.

4) Pottery Barn or Williams-Sonoma - could spend hours looking at all the cooking things...

5) Any bookstore - I've never been in a bookstore I didn't like.

6) Stonewall Kitchen - Love to go in there and find new and different food ingredients.

7) Land's End or L.L. Bean - Hey, I live in New England now - gotta have clothes that keep me warm.

8) Esty - I've actually found a few little shops that I love - most of them are herbal or aromatherapy shops - and make natural soaps, shampoos and makeup.

9) Oriental markets - I don't know what it is about Oriental markets - but, I love them. There was one in Tampa that I shopped at all the time...and whenever I go to a "big" city - I always go to their Chinatown.

10) Flea markets or Garage sales - they can make for a great day out...just browsing...

The birthday week-end...

The week-end was just so much fun ... and I was able to spend it with friends! Whether my friends were here in person or blogging friends - each helped me celebrate my birthday with cards, notes, and good wishes!

Friday, the 6th was the big day - and my friend, Pat (who has no blog) took me out for a fun dinner. We went to Sophie and Zekes. They recently moved to a larger location ... and the restaurant is really nice.

I had a really good Reuben sandwich with the most delicious beer battered fresh onion rings. The breading on the onion rings just melted in your mouth. Pat enjoyed a lobster roll...and the lobster was so good and fresh...(I got a bite of the lobster!!!)

We had window seating - which can be a lot of fun. We have such a cute downtown.

Pat and I had the exact same dessert...it was a coconut mousse cake with chocolate icing and fresh whipped cream on the side. It was heaven on a plate. Pat and I had a wonderful evening - and even went shopping for boots for her. Thank you so much for making my birthday special, Pat.

Saturday, the 7th...I celebrated with Scarlett and Elizabeth. They gave me a little cart that I can use to bring packages from my parking lot to the apartment. I have complained and whined about wanting one for ages since I moved here.

Then we went to dinner at Lui Lui's. This is one of my most favorite restaurants. I gorged myself had a Penne, Broccoli, and Chicken Alfredo. It was delicious. Then for dessert plain New York Style Cheesecake.

Elizabeth made this beautiful woven yarn artwork for me. The photo does not do it justice! There was also candy - Russell Stover Toasted South Seas Coconut...

The mail brought a gift from my friend, Susan. Some really pretty black and white fabric (for the quilt I will make soon) - a cute Fons and Porter Pencil case with a marking pencil and in the secret compartment a pair of scissors. Also, love the black and white ribbon...

My friend, Ann, sent me a gift certificate to Amazon and I immediately went and purchased two books I have been wanting...Knitting Estonian Lace and Artic Lace...they are on the way...

This beautiful table center piece was given to me by my across-the-hall-neighbor. She was 90 on Saturday (the 7th) and she crocheted that. It is so really pretty...and stitched perfectly.

Then some friends of mine dropped by with a birthday cake and some really nice smelling shower gel! Their little boys sang "happy birthday" to me. It was so cute.

Thank you to everyone for making my special day so very special!!!!!

She's Enjoying Today...

Killian, here!

She's relaxing today. Told me it is still part of her birthday week-end.

Know she went out last night with Scarlett and Elizabeth cause she told me dinner was just what she was craving. Something about penne, broccoli, and chicken Alfredo! (I don't know why anyone would eat broccoli - yuk!). But, anyway she brought some home for her dinner tonight - I'll pester her until she lets me taste the sauce.

Scarlett and Elizabeth gave her this weird looking black thing - and she seems really excited about it. She told me it is a shopping cart - something about putting the heavy groceries into it and getting them to the apartment from the parking lot without making a lot of trips. I wouldn't know - she won't let me outside to see where the parking lot is! (Or to chase that cute little squirrel I see from the window either!)

She also got some other gifts and I know she plans to talk about those tomorrow - probably with pictures. You know her and that camera!

Well, time for me to decorate the sofa for a while...Later

Friday Fill-In #110...on Saturday...

1. Please don't tell anyone, but, I am craving rice pudding again!

2. Can you eat breakfast in the morning? I have to wait at least until lunch time to look eggs in the face!

3. The color yellow makes me want to pretend it is spring!

4. I have a craving for a delicious meal - which I know I will be having for my birthday.

5. If my life had a pause button, I'd pause it for about a week to enjoy my birthday longer.

6. Eyes are the windows of the soul!

7. And as for the weekend, Friday I'm looking forward to enjoying my birthday, Saturday my plans include enjoying my birthday even more and Sunday, I want to chill out!

You can play here!!!!

Birthday...

Today is my birthday...I'm 63! Hey, it's only a number! Doesn't bother me any!

Planning on having a late lunch today with my friend, Blogless Pat. We are going to a nice restaurant here in Claremont called Sophie and Zekes - they just moved into a new location and it looks like it is really nice. Heard they have really good food.

Then Saturday, I am going out with Scarlett and Elizabeth to Lui Lui's. It is an Italian restaurant in Lebanon, NH. It is one of my most favorite restaurants. They own three different restaurants and they are all fabulous.

Enjoy your week-end...

Bye...Bye...Quilt...

At my "cottage meeting" for one of my quilt groups - I began working once again on a tumbling blocks quilt that I have been doing since I lived in Tennessee. I called it "Waiting Room Tumbling Blocks". I patiently cut paper patterns and basted the fabric - and had just started to put the quilt together that was worked on at all of mother's doctor's visits.

I'm not happy with it - It's not joining up right and I'm not sure how to fix it.

Still have plenty of all the fabrics - so, I could do it some other time - but this one just isn't impressing me.

So, I'm passing it on at one of my quilt guilds - as there are some folks who enjoy finishing other people's projects.

But, for me - it's Bye, Bye, Quilt!

This Week...

This week seems to be getting away from me rather quickly. February seems to just fly by...

So, today is a day of playing catch up -

1) Need to pay the bills!

2) Need to begin working on the doll quilt from Sew Mama Sew. It is a quilt along! Even though I am great at piecing the quilt top - and I do hand quilt - I have never tried to machine quilt. So this sounded like a perfect way for me to begin. It is a small project!

2) Need to begin the Challenge quilt for my guild.

And, of course, there is laundry to do, dishes to wash, and dinner to make...

But, I want everything done so that come Friday - I can just chill and celebrate my BIRTHDAY!!

Later ...

Color my world...

Found this over at Janet's blog...and you know me - I had to go check it out.

My rainbow is:

Your rainbow is intensely shaded violet, red, and black.

What is says about you: You are a creative person. You appreciate mystery. You may meet people who are afraid of you. You get bored easily and want friends who will keep up with you.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

45 years ago...

Was my graduation from high school. And, this year is our 45th reunion!

Hillsborough High School is still standing and looking the same as it did 45 years ago. The school is a beautiful red brick and sits on a large campus that is made up of several city blocks.

Dreams were made there and shattered there. I dreamt of being a Home Economics teacher - now I don't even think there is such a thing! Instead I worked most of my life as a Secretary/Administrative Assistant...and watched a few other dreams come true.

My dreams of a being a parent came true and resulted in a beautiful and loving daughter. My dreams of being published came true ... not only in magazines but books!

I have mixed emotions about attending the reunion. There are many memories of high school - some good - some bad! But, then I think that happens for everyone. The trick is to outgrow the hurts and become a "grown up" and a decent human being. I've done that!

And, since most of us are in our 60s now - my thoughts are that we have all grown up.

The "maybe" box has been checked - and I'm thinking it would be nice to see how the rest of us have survived.

My Corner of the World...

My corner of the world leads back to my kitchen this week. And, to rice pudding!!!

Growing up one of my loves was rice pudding - and in my family there were two ways of making it! My grandmother (father's side) was from Pennsylvania - so her rice pudding was baked in the oven! It was dense and had a baked custard that came to the top. It was very good.

My mother's side of the family made rice pudding that was creamy and delicious. It was made on top of the stove. My mother just made it and there was no written recipe. She just knew how to do it - like instinct!

Since we lived in Tampa with all the Cuban and Puerto Rican restaurants around, my mother's style of rice pudding was the one we ate the most. (My mother was born in Puerto Rico)

Since Christmas I have been making my mother's type of rice pudding. No, unfortunately she did not give me the recipe...but, I received the recipe through a new cookbook that was given to me by Scarlett for Christmas.

The cookbook is called Estefan Kitchen: Authentic Cuban Recipes by Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Now I have to say - celebrity cookbooks usually aren't all they are cracked up to be - but this one - Oh, it is right on.

These are the foods that my mother cooked in our kitchen and the foods that I ate at every restaurant in Tampa, FL that had Hispanic food! This recipe book is like having my mother write down all her recipes!

So here is a bowl of my rice pudding - complete with a little cinnamon sprinkled on top! It felt like I was at my abuela's house (Spanish - for grandmother) in Aquadilla, Puerto Rico.

You can bet that I will be cooking a lot of things out of this cookbook!!!

So, what's happening in your corner of the world?