Wavey, Wobbly, Stripey, Dotty & Plaidy

My two blocks for Victoria's 15 minute play challenge http://www.15minutesplay.com/. They were fun to make, now I need to make some more for me to play with!! Maybe that will help take the rainy cold winter blahs away?? Ahh...dreaming of summer....

Happy Day Everyone!!!

Valentine's Rocked!

Just had to throw a quick post about my fabulous hubby! He took me on a fun filled date to see rocker Lucinda Williams at Turner Hall in Milwaukee! We had a very WI time before hand at Buck Bradley's eating Milwaukee's very own Usinger Sausage (the shop is right across the street from the restaurant...talk about fresh!), WI cheese and beer! Excellent pre-concert dinner!

Turner Hall is an amazing historic building. The three flights of stairs were like little old men...kinda short, a little creaky and lopsided and have seen just about everything! Lots of stories in those stairs, I am sure!! The ballroom was similar...maybe like an old lady...the paint was slowly fading and the walls are a little bit crinkly! Such character! We had an awesome little table with a candle--yes a real candle in such an old building...I was kinda wondering about that but the danger was worth it because of the atmosphere they created, I made sure not to make any sudden movements. 

Lucinda rocked those walls but maybe a little softer then normal because it was a solo acoustic gig which meant her songs were a little quieter. This woman has some stories to tell too, perfect venue.  Loved some of her new tunes....looking forward to getting her new album!

(you can see pictures here :)  http://www.pabsttheater.org/galleries/253

Blessed = Lucinda's new album
http://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Lucinda-Williams/dp/B004HGBUVG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298732988&sr=8-1

We finished off the evening at the Aloft Hotel bar eating Wasabi Peanuts (yes, they open up your sinuses but have a nice peanutty finish!!). And the trip was finished off the next day with a little shopping and an amazing everything grilled cheese sandwich and yes, another beer, but this time at the Irish bar called The Harp!! Thanks for a lovely Valentine's sweetheart!!

 I'm definitely blessed!!

Valentine’s Day Late :)

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Ok, I know I’m a bit late but I have been busy doing fun things. I also have found a new way to add posts to my blog…testing it out today – Windows Live Writer. It already seems easier then posting directly to Blogger. At least the pictures are seeming easier to add.  We’ll see how it goes :)
My boys and I made Valentine cookies on the Sunday before the big day. I think they turned out really pretty and very tasty! The cookies are a basic sugar cookie but we used a cream cheese frosting on top…what a great combo…they weren’t over the top sweet (well, until we added all the red sugar and sprinkles that is!). I love getting the boys involved in the kitchen….my youngest loves making lasagna and my eldest loves making coconut shrimp, he even peels them! I think the real motivation is to help make food they Love to eat!
 

Above…my son wearing his appropriately colored shirt for the holiday and my new apron, not quite the right colors but it happened to match my sweater that day!! The apron is by Now Designs, a Christmas present from my hubby…finally I get it dirty!

Miss Bear likes when we bake!

Monday morning, Valentine’s Day, it was all about the red! I’ve been making a red table for my family for years now (I need to make or get a red tablecloth though, I keep stealing the boys red bed sheet, maybe for next year!!)…they always get a kick out of seeing what red things I find for them! I tried not to make it all chocolate because I’ll eat it all ;)  My Valentine’s day gift for my husband was supposed to be a beer tasting event (also a fundraiser) but it got cancelled due to all of the protests at the Capital…still waiting to hear when it will be rescheduled :( The good news is we just went on our Valentine’s date this past week….we saw an awesome concert and had a night away in Milwaukee…stay tuned, I’ll share that story in another post!!

Happy belated Valentine’s Everyone!

Business in the Front, Party in the Back!! Happy Birthday Cyndi!!

I'm so excited that I have finished my first "wordy" quilt ever!! It took a little playing to get it all together and quite a bit of improvisation! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

I was going to make two house blocks for the front of the quilt - one of my friends house and one of mine because they are reversed colors--hers in white with purple trim and mine is purple with white trim....but alas I didn't have time. Her house became the focal point of the back of the quilt. I found a great Birthday fabric and a cupcake fabric that I just had to incorporate into the quilt because it's her 40th! I didn't want it screaming Birthday on the front but I was happy with it screaming on the back!! Ha...business in the front, party in the back....reminds me of my husband's hair in the 80's!!!!!

Happy 40th Birthday to my dearest friend, Cyndi!!

Ahhh....dreaming of spring!! Have a lovely day everyone!!

Weekend Highs!!

Hi everyone,

Have you ever had a weekend start on a high note and keep floating along for the whole next day? I'm hoping it will float right through today and go even higher!! Of course, there is a little bit of a low note (haven't heard from my really good friend in awhile and I think I have a cold coming on!)....but every song needs it's range of notes to make it interesting...a little sweet and salty right!?!? 

I have to say that playing a game with my kids can be so much fun but can also be challenging if you don't pick the right game! We had family night on Friday, starting off with Smoothies and America's Funniest Videos (normally it's "Smoothie and a Movie" but it had to be shortened for our game time..:) We decided on Charoodles for our game...what a fun game! The boys just love acting out the different topics, well we all do! It can have us rolling on the ground...so fun! We do skip the scoring though, just try to each beat the clock...makes it a little more relaxing!!

Saturday, I was up early and had a chance to continue work on my quilt project. I'm almost done with the top, I'm so excited to be moving along with it!! It is definitely not perfect but I think perfect can be a little sterile. I'm hoping to finish up the top this morning and start on the back. Of course we have plans this afternoon so I won't have as much time to get stuff done...better start soon!

Playing with the border!



A couple of my letters!



We also had a chance to help support our community yesterday but attending the Souper Bowl! This event is put on by Habitat for Humanity with the proceeds going to help their building projects for new homes for those in need. It is such a wonderful event, you get to choose a handcrafted ceramic bowl from an overflowing table of artsy vessels and then eat soup, salad, bread and homemade goodies. We also got to

listen to the music of the UW Marching Band and Jazz West. Bucky Badger even showed up to join in the fun! The boys had a great time and we did too! Looking forward to making this a yearly tradition...we'll just need to make space for all the awesome bowls!!

Today, of course is the real Super Bowl...we are just a little excited here at our house....Go Pack Go! We are off to my folks house for a big Super Bowl party this afternoon...I just really love going to a party and eating snacks and yelling at the TV...I get a little worked up though with our team playing so I may have to hide in the basement at the tense times and watch the Puppy Bowl! I am making Jalapeno Poppers wrapped in bacon and Nestle Toll House Chocolate and Cookie Crumb Bars (YUM)--adding M & M's for color!

I'll try to post the recipes and pictures if they turn out!!! Sorry, gotta say it again -- GO PACK GO!!!

Hope you all have a floating kind of day and week!!

Birdie

Believe in Your Dreams!!

Yesterday, we took the boys to see the movie Secretariat. We've been wanting to go ever since we saw the previews and we just finally got the chance (we were also happy it was at the "cheap" theatre - $2.50 each for the matinee--bonus!).  I was very impressed with the way they presented this true story. It showed a strong woman who was following her dream and doing what she believed was right.  This was especially interesting because it took place at a time of transition for women and in the south where the transition was even more challenging.

Of course, the horses were also magnificent to watch. Note: Secretariat (aka "Big Red") was played by many horses but one horse is from a WI farm, Cyclone Larry.  He played some of the calmer non-running parts. I thought that was pretty cool...what a lovely horse (er horses)!!) 

This is a movie that can be enjoyed by all generations. Our boys were really interested in the horses and the races, I loved the strong characters and the message behind the story and the older lady I met in the bathroom gave it a big thumbs up for overall entertainment!! What a thoroughly enjoyable movie!!

I think I need to buy a big fancy hat and go to the Kentucky Derby....it's on my bucket list now!!

Today, it's off to my parent's house to watch the Packers vs. Bears playoff game. I think it will be similar to Secretariat...cheering for our favorites and hoping they will cross the finish line first! Go Pack!!

Go Live Your Dreams!!!!!

"You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'” George Bernard Shaw

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.” James Dean

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet Tubman

Oh, Poor Miss Bear!! & Shopping Therapy!!

Miss Bear has more-or-less recovered from her PV syndrome(effected her balance and eyes) but because of that she had a spill during her morning walk.  We called the Vet for advice and got her on some anti-inflammatories but she was still limping (like Lassie when she was playing injured), she was the saddest dog you ever did see!! So, to the Vet we went (now she was the maddest dog!!d)....the x-ray showed a broken foot, er...toe broken in 2 places!! (I have to interject that she has previously broken a toe 3 years ago on the other foot...here we go again!!) Well, they gave her a pain shot, wrapped her in orange bandages and sent us on our way....oh yeah they said don't get the bandages wet. I'm thinking.....have you not seen the snow and ice on the ground? How are we going to keep it dry when she goes outside?!?! I was afraid she would slip with a plastic bag and I thought she'd pull it off for sure. Voila'....how about Press-N-Seal...we wrapped her little foot, gently pressed it down and she is set to go! It's not too slippery either but it does make this smacking, suction kind of sound when she walks!

We love you Miss Bear :)

Miss Bear glad to be home!

Once we got her all situated we loaded our car with donation items for Goodwill, trying to clean out our basement! I love going to thrift stores so as my hubby was dropping off I was checking out! Actually, I had all the right intentions....I'm trying to find the books for my Lit Chicks Book Club. Well, I couldn't exactly find those specific books but found several others that I've either been wanting to read or sounded too good to leave at the store!! So, after 3 thrift shops and one Half-Price Books, I had quite the load. Really though I couldn't pass up books for under $3...most of them were just $1!!!

Love that!!

Oh boy, I better get reading :o

My hubby says I might need to clear some books off my book bench to make room.

That's another project!

Oh, did I mention I found some fabric too!! Some slices came from the thrift stores but the rest are fat quarters from a quilt shop....they are like candy, I can't just have one!!

(I guess I ate the whole bag so-to-speak, time to play!!)

Now, don't be thinking I'm dragging my hubby around against his will, he found his own treasures! Along with a really cool tie he found an Irish music book (perfect for an upcoming St. Patty's Day gig with his Dad), a  kickin' Ralph Lauren sweater, some Columbia never-been-worn pants and much much more!!

A sad morning turned into a happy afternoon!

Yes, Miss Bear had a happy afternoon too...our neighbor brought her treats and of course she got lots of loving and she wasn't at the vet any longer!!



Sorry, couldn't spin the picture the right way..you get the picture though, right?!?
Ha --  just made myself laugh.



A Little Joy for a Grey Day...

Today, in southern WI, it was very grey....the kind of grey that seeps into your bones, pulls your face down and starts to grab your soul (I know kind of dramatic but that's how it felt!)....but hey it's Friday...you just can't have the grey blahs on Friday!! So I will focus on my joys for the day.

How cool are these colors!

I was so pleased to have some fun little things happen on a day like today-- (instant mini face lifts!) It's still cold and grey but these little things have helped me to make it through the day and more able to enjoy my evening! So...here are the highlights:

1. It was Packer day at work so we could wear jeans and team gear....I just love wearing jeans, Ts and tennies to work...Go Pack! 

Had to share some flowers.



2. Someone brought in cupcakes to celebrate Packer day and a co-worker's last day with us. These cupcakes were the prettiest cupcakes...like a little helping of spring. The frosting is what made them so...it was the palest shade of pastel (did you notice the letters in pastel and palest are the same? curious..). The light colors paired against a deep dark chocolate was so joyous! (Hmmm maybe a scrumptious quilt) Not too pretty to eat though! Yummy!

3. Our co-worker who was moving on to another job brought me the most exciting Thank You note I've ever seen....a little Thank You flower....I just loved it and again thought....hmmm how to make this into a quilt!?!?! (scroll down to see it!)

4. My lunch provided a little joy as well, in the form of the book I'm reading. It's called A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel, just in the first few pages I was smiling and chuckling....can't wait to read more!

5. Lastly, (well hopefully not lastly - maybe there is chocolate in my future!?) anyways, I always find joy in putting on my Yoga pants, a lovely easy dinner and a nice glass of wine (yah, no actual Yoga tonight)!

Cheers everyone, may many joys come your way!!

OH I FORGOT:  Thanks to Peaceful Piecer for being my first follower!!! You brought me joy too!! Thanks!!!!

My "Go To" inexpensive but tasty wine,
Soy candle from local shop and
fresh flowers I bought for myself!!

Below is the sweet card I received today!
JOY!

A Lot of Fun and a Little Intuition

What a wonderful weekend...

My son and I made coconut shrimp Friday night -- YUMMY! ...especially with the kid friendly pineapple daquiri dipping sauce!  We got to enjoy our family dinner watching the movie, Legend of the Guardians.  What great animation!! I think I might be inspired to make an owl quilt.

I had bonus time on Saturday and got to start playing with some fabric. I'm trying out letter blocks from my new book, Word Play Quilts (see my previous post for book link).

Sunday was the day to finish the book club list for 2011. My best friend and I went for coffee and narrowed down the list to 6. It sure is challenging to try and decide books that will create discussion but not be intimidating or offensive to anyone in the group. I think we did well but you just never know until you read the books. I'll try to post the list soon if you are interested!

Oh yah, we also watched the Packer game with my hubby's family. I have a hard time watching games that are close or really bad for my team...and of course this one was a nail biter...I had to leave during the last two minutes. Guess what though...it worked, the Pack intercepted the ball and we won...Happy Family!! Except now they want me to leave at the end of every game...

The good times go on to Monday too....if you can believe that! We had Taco Monday and played Just Dance #2 with the boys. Wow, I've learned some awesome new moves...watch out on the dance floors everyone!! I also took 15 minutes to start my Intuition quilt that Victoria is hosting on her site, Bumble Beans Inc.  I didn't get far but it's a start! Here is what I made by just using the scraps I had on hand and 15 minutes!! (sorry the pic is a little dark)

Here's to a wonderful Tuesday -- heck let's go for the whole week...I just know it's gonna be good!!

Birdie

15 Minutes Turn to 60 In No Time Flat!

First let me say that Miss Bear is doing better today...we can see a good deal of improvement even though she is still listing to the left and not super perky. Of course she has decided she is fully recovered and refuses to let us pick her up anymore, she's even heavier when she's pulling the other way and flailing her legs about...that girl is keeping us on our toes or maybe flat on our backs!

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get" - F. Gump

I am proud to say that I made time today to start my 15 min. quilting project, well basically skipped my to do cleaning list. I did have every intention of getting to the list but my 15 turned into 60 (with interruptions I will add). It was worth it though because I had fun sorting through my stash and I got to play with some of my red fabrics -- didn't know I had so much red! I'm trying to create a wonksville rose....it's coming along but still needs work! I guess I don't exactly know what I'm doing but I think it is looking kinda cool....can't wait for another 15...er, 60!!

Happy Day!

Work in Progress - Wonky Rose

A Little Bump in the Road......

I was so excited to get home from work yesterday to start on some fabric projects...I have several I've been dreaming of...but to my dismay and Miss Bear's (see lovely dog in previous post) we had to make an emergency visit to the Vet. I had arrived home to find her shaking like a leaf, hardly able to walk and eyes rapidly moving from side to side....I freaked and called the Vet and told them I was on my way...of course I was alone and had to figure how to get my girl into the car (bad shoulder and 60lbs)...but where there is a will there is a way! Of course there were no conclusions yesterday so we had to watch her close for seizures and/or other issues overnight. We have to carry her up and down stairs and outside to use the facilities, as well as help her eat/drink (she can't see the bowls correctly). We found out tonight that she has Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome, we are told in most cases it clears up in a few days but it could possibly be weeks. She is wagging her tail like a sweet girl but is still a little woozy...kinda like a drunken sailor! There is nothing medically we can do for her at this point, all we can do is treat her with lots O'Love and TLC...saying a little prayer and crossing fingers and toes!!

On a positive note....I have picked out my starter fabric for the Intuition Quilt / 15 minute play at Bumble Beans Inc. It looks a little flame-like but it really is deep red roses. I just love it....now what to do with it....

I had a little time to iron some of my bright fabrics for another project. I really like being able to iron in the kitchen and help the kids with their homework at the same time. It is not glamorous but very practical (the board could be bigger but it wouldn't fit on the stove then...it'll have to do). To go along with the terrific fabric, I got my new book in the mail, Word Play Quilts by Tonya Ricucci. I love the different ideas on playing with letter fabric blocks. I'm itching to get started...just need things a little calmer on the homefront....maybe tomorrow....








Happy New Year Everyone!

I'm excited to start my very first blog. I'm hoping it will be a way to journal my projects and to get feedback/encouragement from others. My hopes for this new year are to just do more of everything that I love.

I have been most fortunate to be a part of a wonderful book club, The Lit Chicks. We have been together for over a year and I am always amazed at how excited I get for our meetings. My awesome friend is helping me to select the book list for the upcoming year...I'm excited to have it finalized! I will post our list once we have it completed! Read along and let me know what you think!

Miss Bear welcomes 2011!

My next project will be to pull out my sewing machine and scraps of fabric and get crackin'....I just don't want to get lost in my sewing cabinet...I don't really want to organize it either...oh boy...maybe tomorrow!

Staying sweet and salty...keeping the taste buds interested!!

(In other words....I love things that are a little wonky, not quite perfect...and with a little surprise inside!!)

Thanks for reading!

Birdie