a Friday favorite on a Monday

I've been a tad lax on my Friday Favorites, but consider this little hose caddy high on the list.  I've heard about these little wonders that use the power of the water to rewind the hose, but didn't seriously look at them till this year.  Previously my hose might lay stretched out across the yard for several days because either it was too hot or I was too lazy to put it up.  I'll let you choose which excuse you prefer.  

Mine doesn't look exactly like this one, but very similar.  At this point I intended to insert a little video, but I'm having problems wrapping my brain around it.  Maybe later, sigh.  But how nice it is to just sit on the little ledge, flip the handle, and it starts winding itself up.  Who knew, right?

I find myself lacking a bit in the motivation department this summer.  This is the time of the year to be working on my Scraps to Treasure challenge quilt, and I'm having a time making any progress.  We've all exchanged our fabrics, and I've had mine a few months now.  Ah, we'll see. 

I have read a few books though.  I'd listened to Lee Childs, among other authors, when I was still working.  I've gone back and read a couple of his first books with the Reacher character, and really enjoyed having something that is hard to put down.  I'm on the library's waiting list for the next in line.  In the meantime, I've heard about Robyn Carr, and have just checked out the first 4 books (all in one book) for one of her series.  Think I just figured out what I'll be doing this afternoon.   ;)

That's it for now.  Take it easy, all.

chicken soup

I'm not known for cooking a lot,  but there are a few things that I enjoy and prepare regularly.  Lately, this chicken soup has been a favorite.  

I've had this recipe for several years...long enough that I can't remember where it came from, and I don't still have the original written copy.  Usually I just wing it, and it seems to work.   I don't want a huge pot when I'm finished because I'll  be about the only one eating it, unless I happen to take a bowl to my neighbor or give one to Elizabeth for her lunch, so I just use one chicken breast.  You could certainly use more if you want to.  Even with a giveaway or two, I still have several bowls to enjoy for a few days.   Its flexible enough that you can add or delete whatever you want.

Chicken Soup or maybe a version of Tortilla Soup

1 chicken breast (or more if you prefer)
1 1/2 - 2" of water to cover      
boil chicken, then shred it and put back in the water; removing bones if necessary

add the following, and simmer awhile:

1 can chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes and  chopped green chilis (I use the store brand of Rotel)  (optional)
salt and pepper to taste, if any
1 Tbsp chili powder or to taste if you want more
couple sprinkles cayenne pepper (to taste, and definitely optional)
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
2-3 ribs of celery, chopped
1/2 onion, diced or chopped

 then add and cook until these are heated:
1 can great northern beans, drained
1 can carrots  (if using fresh, add them with the bell pepper, celery, and onions)

can be served with any or all of the following:

grated cheese          sour cream             sliced avocado     
tortilla strips (in the area of croutons at the grocery store)

Some may not think of soups as summer fare, but this tastes good and is a nice break from sandwiches.  Or heck, even have it with your sandwich!

Here you see it just cooked, served up, and embellished with cheese and tortilla strips.  Yummo.  :)

Parks!

One of Elise's favorite things to do is go to the park.  Friday we got out, ready to visit a new-to-me park that Elizabeth recommended.  The skies were overcast, but the air was nice and cool, just fine for playing.

After one misturn and a small detour, the park came into view.  As we approached, a fine mist landed on the windshield.  By the time I pulled to a stop, they were good size sprinkles.  Within seconds, it was a downpour.  Had it not been for the detour, we would have been soaking wet I'm sure.

Since no new pictures were forthcoming from this adventure, here's a previous park visit.

I have a couple more to add, and will try to slip them in later today.   Edited to say, for some reason I'm having a hard time getting my pictures from my phone to the computer.  May not happen.

Also I want to add a picture of a wall hanging I've completed for Angela.  I've mentioned it to her, so it's not a big surprise, but here it is.  She likes coffee a lot, so I thought of her when I saw this pattern.

Then I made this little sewing caddy the other day.  They go together really quick, and are convenient for keeping supplies together.  I'm sure they could be used for other crafts as well.  Thanks again Sherry for the class you taught on this.

Okay, maybe this posting is finished now.  Have a good weekend everyone!

just a little bucket

I have a lot of good memories from several years of living "out in the country", though that area is now grown up, and really was only 5 miles out of town.  Our little property was home when the kids were young.  Elizabeth was about 7 when we moved there, and Robert about 13. Those were good years, and the perfect place to raise a family.  Lots of trees, a barn, and room for a few horses and the kids to enjoy themselves.  Naturally, anything that takes me back to that time is a good thing.

When I moved, it was the right thing for me to do.  Reggie had died, the kids were grown and on their own, and I didn't want to mess with a pool and keeping up the property.  But at the same time, there was a bit of nostalgia because I realized that I was leaving a part of me behind.  It wasn't a rash decision, but I would miss the open space and my bit of rural living.

I didn't have this bucket when I lived there.  There's an area between Cleburne and Grandview that has what they call a 20 mile garage sale once a year, and not too long after I moved I went to it.  Towards the end of the 20 miles a feed store had some things set out, and my little bucket was one of the items.  And yes, if you know me at all, you're right in assuming that it spoke to me.  

I think I had intentions of using it as a planter by hanging it on my fence.  That didn't work out.  It sat in my garage awhile.  And lately it's had a new life as, for lack of better words, a weed bucket.  Its a handy size to carry with me as I pull a few weeds here and there.  I've had plenty of opportunities to part with it, but it's always called out to me to just hold on.  I may live in town, but this lets there be a little bit of country with me.

And there's something comforting about the clunk of the handle hitting the rim...know what I mean?   It's good to take comfort when and where we can.

What's your bucket of comfort?

pictures in stitches

What's next on my favorites?  Redwork emboidery.  I say redwork, but really I like the idea of embroidery in a single color, whether its red, blue, purple, or whatever.  I think it lends more continuity to the piece.  Over the years I have embroidered several projects.  There's so much satisfaction and relaxation in sitting down for awhile with needle and thread and seeing the picture in stitches develop.

This was a little pillowcase I made for my secret sister one year.  She really likes dragons, as well as the colors  purple, black, and orange.

I've made a few of these snowman wall hangings.  I think the redwork is the right color choice, and that the use of multiple colors would have detracted from it.

The same can be said for Santa and his bag of toys.  I've made a few of these, and one is included in my Christmas quilt.

I've probably shared pictures of all of these at one time or another, but oh well.  :)

 One of these wasn't completed at the time, and I don't think I've done anything with the finished one yet, but I think she's pretty.

I've also embroidered pillow cases for my bed, and a baby quilt for Ashlynn when she was born, but those pictures couldn't be readily found.

In the last couple of years I've also been making and embroidering handkerchiefs.  I got a rolled hem foot for my sewing machine, and that's made quite a difference from hemming them by hand.  They're not perfection like you'd get in the store, but I like the personal touch it gives.  Some are embroidered in the center, others in the corner or on the bottom.  There have been butterflies, birds, and initials, as well as one with a nautical theme. I gave several to friends for little Christmas presents, and they've gone to my HGTV secret sisters, as well as the 12 Days of Christmas swap.  Some have gone to friends who have experienced a loss, whether health or a loved one.  Here's the poem I wrote that I tuck inside. 

I’m a little square of cotton,

a humble gift indeed.

I’m always at your service

in any time of need.

Perhaps you have a sniffle,

or need to shed a tear,

or even just to wipe your glasses.

That’s okay.  I’m here.

Every stitch that touched me

was placed with you in mind.

“May God’s blessings be upon you,

dear sweet friend of mine.”

That's it for now.  Happy Friday!

Friday...design opportunities

One thing I've enjoyed about quilting has been the forgiving nature of the art.  If you make a mistake, no worry...consider that mistake one of my favorite things:  a design opportunity! 

There have been plenty of design opportunities along the way.  Cut something too small?  Oh, those smaller strips looks perfect!  Take too deep a seam on each block and you come up short on the row?  Well, wouldn't an extra little applique block help fill it out nicely. 

My favorite thing about design opportunities?  That it has spilled over into other parts of my life.  Just the other day I got a "creative" haircut...meaning she whacked a bit more off one side of my hair.  In the old days when I was younger and working (and more in the public eye), I have shed more than one or two tears over such creativity.  Drawing upon the design opportunity way of thinking, I've learned to wear my hair a slightly different way.  Kind of a "this too shall grow out" approach, and in the meantime just embrace it. 

How about you....are you on the lookout for design opportunities???

it's still Friday at 11:55 pm

This day almost slipped by without my Favorite Friday post!  Oh no, how could that happen???

Here's my favorite for today, the chaste tree.  Given to me for Mother's Day a few years ago, and actually there are three of them, they're still going strong.  Amazing, something I haven't managed to kill off.  I guess that right there tells you it is hardy as well as pretty.   This picture is from last year I think.  I trim them back over the winter, and now they are budding out quite nicely.

Ah, Spring is here!

it's Friday...you know what that means

It's Friday Favorite time again.  This little wagon has been one of my favorites for many years now.  Actually, this is the 2nd version, having worn out the first one many years ago.

Yes, the ever-popular little red wagon.  I may or may not have had one as a child, but there was a popular  song out featuring the wagon.  Remember that? Written by Rex Griffin, I found it recorded by Hank Thompson and Willie Nelson, among who knows how many others.


At this point I intended to slip in the lyrics to the Little Red Wagon song, but in case there are copyright issues, I'll let you look at them here.  :)

While I may not have had one as a child, I've kept one around for the last 10 years or so.  Its a work horse!  I can't tell you how many loads its carried to my back yard, and the help its been.  Of course, there's the added benefit as the grandkids came along that they can enjoy it as well.   Or, as in this case with Elise last year, I can put them to work with it.  ;)

This will most likely be the last year for my wagon, at least the one you see here.  It's rusting out, and has a hole or two.  I'm afraid anything too heavy just might break through.  But that's okay.  I'll make  a planter out of her, and get up another one to pick up the reins and carry the load.

Friday favorite time

Cryptogram puzzles have long been a favorite of mine.  Give me a variety book of puzzles, and cryptograms are the ones I turned to first.

Crypto puzzles are phrases, quotes, or lists that have substituted different letters for the correct ones.  They've jumbled up the alphabet, and started writing.   Each puzzle has it's own code, and there's definitely a challenge there.  But as with anything, practice makes the process easier.  You learn to recognize patterns of words or usage, such as "the" being used frequently, and "I" and "a" as the one-letter words.  Then there are contractions, which are easy to spot with their apostrophe, as in "can't" and "didn't".  I was real proud of myself the first time I saw "people" in crypto form and recognized it just by looking at it.  :) 

You can imagine my excitement when I spotted my first puzzle book that was dedicated solely to cryptograms.  I've only seen them on the shelves a couple of times, so its not a monthly publication.  In fact, the one I'm looking at now says its the vacation issue.  That's not surprising, since vacations are typically the time to sit back, relax, and enjoy a good  book.  This book just happens to need a pencil to go with it.  

I looked online to see if they still put this out, but sadly all I found is this.  They've ceased production.  I guess this is an example that we need to let companies know immediately if we like their products so they will know to keep on making them.  In the meantime, the variety books will let me continue to enjoy my cryptograms.

another Friday favorite

Looking back, years ago it was hard to justify to myself that I should get something for me "just because".  You know how it is...the kids need new shoes, or an appliance needs replacing, or you're still trying to get some of the not-so-necessary convenience items.   Being frivolous was not an option.

There came a time when the kids were grown and I was the only one I had to look out for.  I found myself drawn to this vase in Mervyns department store.   I'd look at it, and go off to look at other things.  I'd look again.  Sure do like those colors.  I had absolutely no need of it.  Finally I just thought "why not", and got it.

To this day, its never had a bouquet of flowers in it, but that's ok.  I like it just the way it is, and it brings me pleasure every time I look at it.  I'd say that's $30 or $40 well spent.

What about you?  Any frivolous no-regret items in your life?

favorites on Friday

I've decided to do something different.  Well, at least on Fridays.  I've gotten a bit complacent, and inspiration doesn't always come at my command.  So....on Fridays I'll be posting one of my "favorites".  Don't expect showy and glamorous, that's not me.  But you can expect to see a glimpse of just who I am.

Here's the debut favorite.  The story behind this particular glass of chocolate milk?  I got the glass at a garage sale...at least 15 years ago.   I think it appealed to me because it brought to mind an old-time soda shop.  Not that I've ever been to an old-time soda shop, but I can picture a soda jerk holding the glass up to a fountain machine and filling it with a shake or fizz.  I don't necessarily use it every morning, but its probably the one I reach for first.  So satisfying to pour in the milk, add chocolate syrup, and hear the clink clink clink of spoon stirring against glass.

Ah, it's the simple things in life that give me pleasure.

There may be some out there so young to not recognize the term soda jerk.  This is to show I'm not being derogatory, it truly was a job title.  :)