OKAY OKAY!

Okay I have gotten emails, and now comments on what a lackadaisical (how is that for a word) blogger I have been. Truth be told, I have been in kind of a funk. I haven't sewn much and I have taken even less pictures. I am like a first grader, I like pictures with my text. I guess that is why I was never very into the Wall Street Journal, not enough pictures.

And I am SO OVER winter. Like many I am usually the casual weather complainer but I am officially tired of the wet, cold, white and FRIGID. I used to scoff at those who traveled south for the winter, I am rethinking my position. Costa Rica is looking a good. Remind me of this when I am bemoaning the August heat.

Also this weekend is the last weekend of Mardi Gras, I always miss Mobile this time of year. The parades, the balls, the beads, the moon pies,

the marching bands,

the white tie and tails of costume de rigueur. And like most native Mobilians I will step right and let you know that Mardi Gras started in Mobile over 300 years ago. We're proud that way.

Here is a little tune, to let you get in the mood.

And to top it off, the azaleas will be blooming soon. So since we know I can't have text without picturesI added a few. Some are from the Mobile Press-Register and others from flickr.

Spring Hill College Chapel

So I will try to be more attentive, I did get back in the sewing room this week making some pre-constructed gowns for my daughter to smock for her friends. She took them with her before I could get a picture though. I used the same pattern that my local SAGA chapter is using for Wee Care gowns now. It gave her enough area to confidently smock without being overwhelming. Blue batiste with ecru lace and pink batiste without lace. Both pretty. Hopefully she will take a picture of them completed and I can show you.

I am off, I promise to be back soon. Delphi is having another sew up you stash so I should have lots to show for my time.

Well if she can do it, so can I

Well as we all know I suffer from blog surfing sickness. I have "regulars" I like to check in on. Well Dawn, got to love that name, has posted her latest project on her blog. A bikini. Now this precious child has three children. 2 of which are twins and posts pics of herself modeling this great swimsuit. I am much to busy to make swimsuits. But I do allow photos to be taken of them. I love the color red too. I don't think I look too bad for a middle aged woman and thought I would post my own pic to prove it. This was taken on the coast where we went for vacation. I probably need a bit more sun. But you get the idea. When I am not slaving at a sewing machine, making my house sparkle, or refolding my used paper towels to save money, I am jet setting away to spend time on a luscious beach somewhere. My favorite is Bora Bora. But if I have to settle for a stateside beach my go to place is Malibu. I am a bit more modest than Dawn though, I cut my head off in this picture. There is no reason to be a braggart.

Well okay, some people may say that I am stretching the truth.......

I don't really refold my paper towels.

God Bless America

No matter your politics, today is a historic day in our country. The office of the President is to be respected and revered. I remember when our family was stationed in South Dakota, the current president came to visit. I took the two older children to see him. I even took the oldest out of school. I was asked if I had voted for that President. My response then is the same as it would be today. "That is not the issue. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is the President. As a citizen of this country I want to share this with my children." I feel the same today. It is the President. A principle and foundation of our nation's history and evidence of our place in our global society.

The last time our country ushered in a new administration our country was severely tested with 9/11. I pray that there is not a repeat occurrence this time. I pray that our new President governs with wisdom, courage, compassion, love and faith. I pray that all in our country be safe from harm. Not only abroad but here at home. I pray that we as a country remember that we are blessed to be a part of the greatest nation on earth. Our country may be facing less than certain times economically but we still have so much more than 90% of the rest of the world. That we learn to better share our resources with those in need. That we learn to be grateful for what we have. That we live our lives with dignity and pride and teach our children to do the same. That we live with compassion not only for others but for ourselves. And we live our lives with the knowledge that we are all dear darling precious children of God. And that God loves each of us, not all of us, but each of us. There is a difference.

Today is historic simply for what it is, the inauguration of the President of the United States of America. Of course it is historic for other obvious ways; the realization of a dream. That no matter who you are, what color you are, what creed you are, what circumstances you came from; you too can dream to be President.

So no matter who you voted for, stand proud to be an American.

Could it be?

Another year has come and gone and now it is my birthday! What will I do today? Don't know. Not much probably. I think the son wants to make dinner. He's probably worried I won't so he is going to take over the helm with that. I have heard from all of my kids. I have even gotten a few gifts and cards.

I have to brag on one of my friends. She is always ragging on her own work. So I am going to display it for all the world to see. Or at least the 7 people who come here.

Aren't they both grand? One is a ribbon rose on a wonderful smelling sachet. That is lavender pods you see. And the other is a book stop. I think she did a wonderful job. Thanks L!

So happy birthday to me! Here is a little musical rendition.

What is this?

Exactly what is this? Is it a scrap basket? Laundry? bedding for the cat? Wouldn't he love that?

No! It is a basket of love. It is Wee Care gowns waiting to be smocked and constructed like this sweet wee gown above. Our chapter is trying a different gown for us. For this gown we used Ginger Snaps Raglan gown from her Daygown Book IV.

I have a boy gown in the works too. But for now a sweet trim, a tiny embroidery compliment the simple geometric smocking.

This was sent to me by my daughter. This has to be one of my all time favorite songs. When the kids were little I would turn it on really loud and we would dance in living room. Much like the dad at the beginning of the video. DH and I danced to it at both of our marrieds weddings. I hope you enjoy this version, I loved it.

Happy New Year!!!!!

A prayer for the New Year

Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Risen Christ,
Be with us today and always.
Be our Light, our Guide,
And our Comforter.
Be our Strength, our Courage,
And our Sanctifier.

May this new year be a time
Of deep spiritual growth for us,
A time of welcoming
Your graces and gifts,
A time for forgiving freely
And unconditionally,
A time for growing
In virtue and goodness.

Come, Holy Spirit,
Be with us today and always.

Amen.

Turning the page...

What are your thoughts as this year comes to a close? What are you thankful for? What do you wish had gone differently? Are you one to make resolutions? How will you celebrate this new year, this gift of new beginnings?

I am thankful for so much. I am thankful first and foremost for my husband and children. I am thankful for my faith. I am thankful for my health after a hiccup or two in that arena this year. I am thankful for the people God has placed in my path. The wonderful opportunities to see, taste, smell, feel and hear the goodness of God all around me. And even on occasion to recognize that goodness within me.

What do I wish had gone differently? Well besides the desire to be a size 5, that we all know is never going to happen, I can't say that there is much in the way of regret in my life right now. I will take that as a good thing. Oh sure I wish I had gotten the closets cleaned out, that I had come closer to that size 5, that I had done a better job at house keeping or saved more money but those aren't what I would call regrets.

Resolutions, I don't do well with that concept. Perhaps goals is a better way of looking at it. I am not usually a list maker. I always have a sense of the list trying to tell me what to do, and that frankly ticks me off. I didn't say it was "normal" just one of my quirks. So what are some of my goals?

• To eat more healthy instead of wishing I was a size 5. I would like to conquer my sugar addiction.
• To re-decorate my bedroom. It is a depressing place right now.
• To travel. Don't know where, I would love to go abroad. Maybe this will be the year.
• Speak more kindly.
• Spend more time in prayer.
• Be more thankful. If there is one thing I really wish I could change about myself it is to be more of a "glass half full" kind of person. It isn't my innate inclination so it is a constant challenge.
• I would like to re do the whole house really but will admit that it sounds very overwhelming.
• Take a photography class.
• And as always, sew more.
• And to finish more of the UFO's hiding in that cabinet. They are trying to be quiet and coy but I know they are in there!

It has been a good year, albeit a relatively quiet one. And that is a good thing. So what are your reflections on 2008 and what do you look forward to in 2009?

A few of my blog haunts have posted a year in review. Imagine my shock and dismay at Summerset over at Pins and Needles who sewed this list:

• 33 Tops, Blouses, Shirts
• 13 Skirts
• 15 Dresses
• 9 Jackets or Coats
• 9 Trousers or Shorts
• 10 Miscellaneous Items

I mean whoa nelly!!!!!! That is 89 items. And many of hers are not lightweights. The cowboy set alone that she made for her son is amazing. But I am not her, so below is my meager showing for my sewing year in review.

Updated: I guess I must have had a slideshow here originally. In looking back, whatever is there is gone. So I replaced it with a photocollage of my year in review.

5 Wee Care gowns
2 Wee Care bonnets
4 Silk Ribbon Embroidered Make Up bags with matching Kleenex holders
2 Doll Dresses
2 Daygowns
2 Rompers
1 Embroidered Bib w Matching Embroidered Hanger
1 Lace Jacket w Pintucked Dress
1 Hemstitched Bonnet
1 Felt Candlemat
20 Embroidered Needlebooks

For a total of 48 items. Not too shabby for a partial year. I don't have pictures before March of this year.

Happy Birthday Twennie

Happy Birthday, you are missed.

"What is a friend? A single soul in two bodies."
Aristotle

Fatal blog surfing sickness averted

I found the blog. Whew, I'm not losing my mind as quickly as I first thought. The Nester at the Nesting Place is where I first found the post about garland. She is even having a Garland Show and Tell.


Warning: Blog surfer sickness may ensue!

Enjoy, I did.