Christmas in July

It was almost as great as Christmas in July.  The other day I was at work when I got a call from home that a package had been delivered.

I asked who it was from and she said it was from California.  Well, could I wait 3 hours until lunch time to find out what goodies were inside??

Hahaha Not likely.  I couldn't stand it so I ran home on my break and grabbed the box.  It was a late birthday box from my friend Kim, the sweet blogger over at My Field of Dreams.

I ripped that bad boy open and just as I started to rifle through it I thought I should take a picture.  (Isn't it funny the way we are always thinking about pictures for our blogs now?)  So before I had unwrapped anything I gently placed things back in the box and snapped this.

It was stuffed full of goodies.  Kim and I sometimes will each get a coffee while we are chatting together on the computer, so she punched me this sweet little mug.

There was also a jar of California sunshine (also known as Kim's own apricot jam).  I have been having it on my breakfast toast.  

 It is so good that I had it hidden way in the back of the refrigerator behind some tall bottles so no one else will eat it.  Isn't that terrible! 

The box also contain several (yes, several) other hand crafted items from Kim.  I will show you those in another post.  She is such a sweet thoughtful person and her kindness has brightened my week!

Sweet Satisfaction

At last, the sweet satisfaction of nature's goodness



I went to the corner store at 5pm and got the last block. 

I talked to the owner and he said they had a large delivery this

morning and by 5pm I got the last one.

A creamy block of pure sugar

Was it worth the wait?  Oh Yeah

Satisfaction.....(and a mild sugar rush)



Super What ??

I may be the only person not watching the Super Bowl today.  Quite frankly, I'm a little sick of hearing about it.  It's not that I'm anti-sports but I just don't get football.

And what is up with the 4 hours of pre-game coverage?  PRE- Game.....like the actual game isn't long enough already.   Oh well, it's almost over.



Instead of being glued to the TV all day I extended my burst of hooking energy I seem to be experiencing lately.  This morning I drew out a new pattern, scavenged through my wool stash and selected some colors and cut strips to my hearts content.

I have a question for my hooker readers.  What do you do with all your rugs once they are hooked?  Do you keep them, gift them, sell them??  Every time I start a new one lately I think I might try to sell it but then once its finished I chicken out.  Maybe one of these days I will open an etsy shop and see what happens. 

Have a great week.   

Wednesday Word of the Week

This weeks word is:   CAREFREE

care·free   [kair-free]
–adjective


1. without anxiety or worry.


2. requiring little care: carefree fabrics.

care·free·ness, noun

—Synonyms


1. lighthearted, joyous, elated, cheerful, gleeful, blithe.

 I love this word.  Don't we all wish we were more carefree??  Last night I had a chance to act carefree for an hour.  It was a beautiful night so our photography class met at one of the local parks.   This weeks lesson was on photographing movement or action. 

So we all took the chance to act a little like children and play in the park.

We blew bubbles

 

We went down the slides and we jumped off park benches

And there is nothing better than soaring up high on a swing set

Even Deanne got into the act

 

But, you know how it is.......after too much carefree child's play, we all need to sit down for a wee rest

It's great when you can learn something new and have fun at the same time.  And I can't remember the last time I went down a slide or soared in a swing.

I think my goal for the summer will be to be more carefree. 

Soooo, having said that, I may not do a word of the week post regularly for July and August. 

I will still do them but I may miss a week or two and replace it

with a Wordless Wednesday perhaps. 

That could be a challenge because you know I like to talk so I might struggle with the

wordless part.  Lol 

I hope to be taking lots of photos this summer so I should have lots of wordless material if I can learn to shut my mouth. (well, I guess its more like my fingers since I'm typing)

Cracked

I'm cracked.   Not a big surprise, I know.  Lol    I wanted to title this post "Crack" but thought some of you might get the wrong idea. 

But I do want to talk about Crack.  It is not about the kind of "crack" you buy in a dark alley from a sketchy looking guy.  And not any other sketchy type of crack.  (PS you have to be careful when you google "crack" for images)  ....ewwww

Do you remember my post a few weeks ago titled "Hookers Crack"?  Well I was mocking my addiction to wool but later that evening I received an email from a fellow hooker informing me that there indeed was a product known as hookers crack that is used to easily transfer patterns onto foundation fabric.

Then she told me she was sending me some.  This sweet, thoughtful blogger was none other than Doris from the blog Moments in Time.   If you are a regular follower of Doris, you already know she is a lovely lady, an extremely talented rug hooker and instructor, and of course Mom to that little doggie Eloise.  If you have never visited her blog, please stop by and say hello.

My package arrived this week.  I couldn't wait to see what this hookers crack was.

It is slightly sticky so it adheres to the backing to allow clean tracing of the pattern.   And as I examined it, I realized it is the same material that builders use to cover holes etc.  It is known at building supply stores by the name Crack Stop.  Who-da-thunk that you could find useful rug hooking supplies at the local Home Depot?

Doris also included a sweet little bunny pattern so I have something on hand to test the crack.  I'm going to test it out this weekend.

I was touched by her thoughtfulness.  I think that is one of the wonderful things about this whole blogging thing.  You get the opportunity to interact with wonderful people you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to meet.  And it seems there is no shortage of kindness and support amongst us.

Thank you Doris.

Kindness and Arm Candy

Well its no secret to anyone that I like a little bling.  And last week I got a message on facebook that Deanne Fitzpatricks Rug Hooking Studio had just brought in a line of jewellry.  Handcrafted pieces of art from a designer in Montreal, Anne Marie Chagnon.  Of course I had to run right in the next day and look.  Necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets that are truly wearable art.  So unique and special. 

I looked and drooled, especially over a particular bracelet.  Kathryn, who works with Deanne, encouraged (forced heehee) me to put in on my arm.  I resisted at first but then submitted to its sparkly beauty.  It really is a statement piece.  

And guess what......?  NOW IT'S MINE...............

The entire collection is special and it is such a nice addition to the studio.  So, if you happen to be in Amherst this is just one more reason to stop in a visit Deanne and the girls.  Snap up a piece of this bling.    And wouldn't it be great if word spreads about the jewellry and someone stopped into the studio and discovered the art of hooking as well........ 

I am invited to a little party tomorrow night at a friends house.  I am planning my outfit around the cuff bracelet. 

It was quite a day today.  It seemed that kindness was everywhere.   I notice it more than I used to.  I think since Mom got sick I appreciate kind acts more.  Maybe they were always out there but I just didn't see them before?  I noticed today when I picked up Mom at her Alzheimers Day Care, how great the volunteers were with her.  It means a lot to know she is safe and happy there, with people who have good hearts.   Today it was little things and really big things.  I always try to note them now.

Sometimes someone does something for me that is so unexpected or beyond belief, that I really don't know how to process it.  This is what happened today.  I won't go into details but they know who they are.  It was a gesture that will stay with me and I will do whatever I can to pay it forward.  Isn't it nice, especially at Easter time to be able to experience kindness first hand?

Happy Easter to you and yours.

Mail's Here

The Mailman brought me a special treat today.  I have been waiting and waiting for this special package.  Even the envelope was pretty

A while back I won a giveaway over at Maggie's blog Just Between Me and You.  Maggie and I have been buddies for awhile and if you have never visited her site - you should.  She is delightfully sweet, charming and she has a wicked sense of humor. 

Anyway, she has been emailing me, quite concerned I had not received my package yet.  Sometimes my mail from the US arrives in 5-6 days and sometimes it's 2 weeks or more. This time it was the latter.  But today was the day. 

Inside is a handmade journal she made me.  The cover is beautiful lavendar handmade paper. 

It even has a little pocket sewn on the front full of sparkly bling.  And you know how much I love bling!

This is the only printed page.  The rest are all different multi-colored and textured.  I'm scared to write anything in it - its too pretty - I don't want to ruin it. 

Even the little note card she included was pretty

I love getting presents in the mail.  So thank you dear Maggie for the lovely gift and for your friendship.

Pay it Forward

Pay it Forward

is popping up on all kinds of blogs today.

Lauren over at Rugs and Pugs is participating and inspired me to follow suit.  Also Courtney
at Sassafrass and Winterberry is participating.   Visit their great sites too.
It sounds like such a great idea.

Here's how it works . . .

The first five people who comment on this blog post

will receive a handmade gift from me.

In return, you must write a blog post on your blog

explaining Pay It Forward 2011.

You, in turn, will send out a handmade gift to the first five visitors

who leave a comment on your post.

I love this idea.  The whole concept of Paying it Forward is something we try to do in our home.  My grandmother instilled this in all of us.  She used to say if you put good things out in the world that they will someday come back to you. 
 
As Lauren said - no pressure - just a simple gesture.  Let's have fun with it.

Sunday Ramblings

I love Sunday mornings.  It is my favorite part of the week.  I get to relax and wind down and just be which is a rarity around here.

I found this picture I had taken this summer on the beach at high tide.  I find it so peaceful and relaxing to watch the water come in over the rocks.  It is a good depiction of how I feel on Sunday mornings.

Millie and I get up early and have the house to ourselves for a few hours.  This morning we cuddled up on the sofa and I enjoyed a few cups of coffee and actually read for awhile.  I don't get much opportunity for a quiet reading time.  I tried this new coffee too - yumm

Eventually the Golden Girls woke up and it was back to reality.  Chores, chores, chores.  I stripped and washed all the beds and did the rest of the laundry.  I got Mom in the bathtub without incident and her feet are looking almost perfect.  I bought her some ridiculously expensive "circulation" socks, plus she has been getting lots of foot rubs (which is a big deal because I hate touching other peoples feet!)

Then about mid afternoon there was a knock on the door.  It was one of Mom's original home-care workers.  If you remember I blogged about him just before Christmas because he arrived with a little Christmas present for Mom.  Today he had a little bag of homemade fudge all decorated with hearts for Valentines Day.  He hasn't been assigned to us since Thanksgiving but he still visits his old clients occasionally.  Isn't it sweet to know that there are such thoughtful and caring people doing Home-care??    He was spending his Sunday afternoon doing the deliveries.  Sweet!!

The rest of the afternoon I spent flipping through 2 magazines about my 2 favorite things --- hooking and cooking

Although I didn't try any new recipes for supper we did enjoy stuffed chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower.   Then I popped into Corinnes for a little visit and a cup of tea.  She had dyed some new wool, so of course I had to check it out. Now for a perfect end to a great Sunday, its time to hook a little.

Here is the latest shot of the crazy square rug.  I left the little bit of the dark plum in for comparison but I like the lighter background.  I'll pull out the dark tonight and replace.  It doesn't show well in this photo but the new background color is Dorr celery - a very pale light yellowish green.

If today is an indication, the start of a new week is looking promising.

The Ugly and the Very Beautiful

I think its best to start with the ugly part and then soften you up at the end of the post.  So here is the ugly

This is the mountain of snow at the end of my driveway.  As you can see it is getting quite high.   The next photo is what is behind that mound.  If you look just above the word "bench" you will see just the top board at the back of the bench peeking out.

Isn't that pathethic?  There is so much snow back there I think it will be June before it melts enough to see grass again.   Now do you understand why I am so fed up?

Now its time for the beautiful part.  Tonight I had to go to the florist to send a plant to a sick relative.  There was an old guy in front of me.  Well, you know I am chatty so of course I started talking to him.  I guess I have a thing for old guys.  Not in a Anna Nicole Smith kind of way - I just think they are adorable.   Lol

Anyway, he was buying red roses.  And he was being very careful to ensure he had some greenery and baby breath to make sure they looked extra pretty.  I thought it was so cute the attention he was paying to selecting the best flowers.  So I started to tease him and ask him if he was "in trouble".  He had a great laugh and said he was much to old to get into trouble.

I was noticing the florist was making 2 bundles, one with a dozen and another with only 6 roses.  He then pointed to the dozen and said his wife was in the hospital and he was taking them to her.  Awwww, how sweet is that!!  Then with a very straight face he pointed to the smaller bundle and said those were for his girlfriend!   OMG.....I tried not to react too much but I am pretty sure that my mouth flew open and so did the florist.

Then the charming old bugger grinned and told us his wife had a room-mate in the hospital who didn't get alot of visitors so he was giving her the smaller bundle.

AWWWWWW, isn't that the sweetest thing??  I was so touched that he would be so thoughtful.  I think the florist and I both wanted to give him a hug.  He certainly did warm this old, cold, snowy heart today. 

Three Frosty Ladies

Last night we got hit with a storm.  Not the piles of snow that many of you in the US have experienced, but tons of rain and hurricane force winds. 

I woke this morning and it was a little chilly but we generally turn down the furnace at bed time so I didn't catch on immediately.  But when I went to the bathroom and flicked the light switch  - nothing.  I'm still not sure why I needed to flick it another 5 or 6 times to figure out we had no power.  I guess I was still half asleep.

I checked my cell phone and there were no messages so I got ready for work.  I used a flashlight propped up on my vanity to put on my make-up!  Next stop - the search for coffee.  I headed to the other side of town and luckily "Fast Food Alley" had electricity.  Large coffee from McDonald's drive-thru and off to work. 

Hmmm, no power there either.  After a call to the Electric Company they estimated we may not get power until between 3-6pm. About half the town was out.   The boss reluctantly sent us home but left us all "on-call" with instructions to return and open the building whenever the power was restored.  Back home to check on the ladies.  The power had been off since about 1am so this big old drafty house was getting chilly.  Luckily it was quite mild for December so it could have been worse.  I stopped at Tim Hortons donut shop and grabbed hot tea and donut holes and wrapped the gals up in a few quilts on the sofas.

By mid morning a car pulled in the yard.  It was John, one of Mom's home care workers.  It was his day off and he arrived at the door with this.....

He put some fabric, greenery and a little orange in a Christmas mug.  He had made one for all his regular clients and was delivering them.  Isn't that sweet and thoughtful.  Many of his clients live alone and I just love that fact that he goes the extra mile for them.
About 1pm I heard the gentle whirring of power.  Woohoo - I jacked up that furnace and headed off to work.