HOUSEWORK, BASSETT HOUNDS AND AN OLD LOG

 Good Sunday Evening to all ! Stopping by to update you on my weekend ! Saturday was spent on  a lil light housework , being stalked throughout the house by one cantankerous blog kitty , a lot of laying around playing on Pinterest and a quick sewing project .

About that project... My youngest sister , Kim ...known round here as "Farmer Kim " had a birthday on Friday , but she had to work, since she works second shift . So today( Sunday)  my Dad, Sister and rest of the family were having a lil bite to eat and a gathering for her Birthday at a local restaurant, I knew I wasn't going to be able to go , as I still cannot sit in the car, or sit down to eat , let alone socialize , however the Princess was going to go without me ! Princess informed me that she could NOT attend a party without a "PROPER " gift , and she was right , but as always I had not a dollar to my name ! So , we decided to do what we always do , and make something !
 Princess suggested a Valentines table mat or runner or something with dogs , as Farmer Kim has two bassett hound furkids named Chester and Phyllis and they are like an old married couple and  her "pride and joy" .

 So , as I stood at the kitchen counter, trying to find ideas on Pinterest with no luck , I decided to create my own design , so I drew up a Bassett silhouette pattern , cut it out  , traced it twice onto black felt and cut 2 out  ,I then measured and  cut  out and stitched a simple table runner from a checked cotton, appliqued a basset hound on each end and gave each hound an appliqued red wool heart . :) I hear tell that she liked it ! Yay! I think the next day I feel half decent I might try making a few with different types of dogs and cats on them to see what they look like , as this was a fairly fast easy project.

I shared in a prior post that my Dad usually makes each of us girls a handcrafted gift from his woodshop for Christmas , and that this year I asked him to make Princess her loft bed in lieu of me getting a gift ! Well today my Dad shows up to pick up Princess for the party , and tells me to get my slippers and jacket and come to the truck , he had to show me something !!! Out the door I went, bed head, pink betty boop fuzzy jamma pants, slippers and all !

 In the bed of his truck ...A SURPRISE CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR LIL OL' ME!!!!  He made each of us girls a "log bench " for our gardens/porches , but it was so muddy at Christmas he couldn't back his truck  up to his woodshop to load them !!! They are AWESOME!!! Mine is sitting on the screened in front porch for now , which is where it most likely will stay , just maybe not in the same spot! I spent a lil time wandering around on the porch admiring my new bench this afternoon , as it has been in the mid 50's most of the weekend, which is rare for late January  in Ohio! But Ill take it !!!

That's the weekend in a nutshell , will be back soon to share some more of our days with you ...until we meet again ...Ill always be ...just a lil raggedy ! hugs

CAN YOU FIND THE BLOG KITTY ??? HE'S STALKIN ME AS I CLEAN !!! SUCH A CREEPY CAT!

THIS IS IM ABOUT TO SMACK YOU IN THE HEAD I WANNA WRESTLE POSE LOL

MY SISTER'S BIRTHDAY  GIFT !

THIS IS MY SISTERS FURBABY CHESTER

THIS IS MY SISTERS FURBABY PHYLLIS

MY GORGEOUS NEW BENCH !

IT'S THE LIL THINGS...

Good Evening , sorry I'm so late getting here to post! It's been one of those days ...you know the kind ...when you wake up thinking " SURE I CAN TAKE ON THE WORLD TODAY " , and before you know it you realize that in actuality what you should have done is just crawled right back  into that nice warm bed, and thrown the covers over your head !!! Yep ,not a darn thing has gone as planned today . It's ok because that's the "norm" around my household , we just take it one day at a time , and make the most of it , even if the "most" we can do most days...is just "BREATHE"!

Since my original post for this evening, has gone to the wayside for a bit , I thought I would share a few of our favorite "hearts" throughout the homestead instead.

 Now these hearts may not be really flashy, catchy or in high demand , but each one of them is SPECIAL in it's own way!

I find that as I grow older , I admire more , and acquire far less ! I have learned through so much time spent aimlessly in bed , that "too much " sitting around , is stressful and distracting , I would much rather have a few "lil " items with great meaning , then a grand collection with great value that I waste precious time and energy dusting ! And what matters to me , may not mean diddly to you , but your opinion though valued isn't my sole deciding factor.

Life is short, live in the moment, and take nothing for granted !

Because those "lil" things truly are the GREATEST treasures!

Wishing you a wonderful evening ...and until we meet again ...I 'll always be ...just a lil raggedy ! hugs

THESE LIL HEART SALTDOUGHS ARE EXTRA SPECIAL BECAUSE THEY WERE THE LAST THING MADE AS A FAMILY CRAFT WITH BOTH MY CHILDREN HELPING

THESE CUTE LIL BUTTONS A GIFT FROM MY PRINCESS ...COLORFUL, FUN,SWEET,THOUGHTFUL JUST LIKE SHE IS

MY CHRISTMAS GIFT THIS YEAR FROM THE PRINCESS ...SHE PURCHASED THIS FROM HER SCHOOLS SECRET SANTA SHOP ALL BY HERSELF

THIS DARLING SNOW FAMILY A GIFT FROM PRINCESSES BIOLOGICAL FATHER RIGHT BEFORE SHE WAS BORN ...FOREVER SPECIAL AS HE IS NOW GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

A GIFT FROM MY SISTER...STITCHED BY SOMEONE UNKNOWN YEARS AGO WITH GREAT CARE ...THE QUOTE IT STATES ....IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL ...EVERYTHING I COULD EVER WANT AND NEED IS AT HOME  

THIS BEAUTY A TAG SALE FIND ...FRAMED IN ONE OF MY GRANDMOTHERS FRAMES....HANGS IN THE BATHROOM TO REMIND US DAILY TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

THIS WAS MY PROJECT FOR TODAY ...NO ITS NOT PERFECT , NOR IS IT PRIM , BUT IT IS EXACTLY WHAT MY PRINCESS HAD IN MIND FOR OUR DINING TABLE SO VOILA!

TUESDAY IN PICTURES

GOOD EVENING !Wasn't a very Exciting day here , Im flaring pretty bad since the weekend, so I'm trying very hard to not push my luck ! Hopefully have more to share in the next few days ,  Thanks for visiting ! Hugs Angie

Finished these 2 wreaths for Princess to give her grandmas , I used flat dollar store type glittered cardboard hearts

TODAY CONSISTED OF A MAXIMUM OF 3 HOURS NOT IN BED ... O JOY !!...I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN AFTER THE WEEKEND :)

APPARENTLY "LYING" AROUND IS CONTAGIOUS ...THESE TWO CRACK ME UP ...MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO ! MR CHUCK HAD THE NIGHT OFF WORK AND CAME TO VISIT ... HE  WASN'T FEELING TOO WELL THOUGH A REACTION TO NEW MEDS OR SOMETHING ...SO HE WASN'T VERY SOCIAL SO THEY LOUNGED AND WATCHED TV AND THE TABLET 

TONIGHTS DINNER , AMISH BROCCOLI SALAD AND CROCK POT CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS A NEW  PINTEREST RECIPE WE DECIDED TO TRY , VERY GOOD EXCEPT  I OMITTED THE ONION( DID USE ONION POWDER INSTEAD) AND PEPPERS SO PRINCESS WOULD EAT IT , I DO HOWEVER THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD WITH SWEET RELISH AND A BIT OF KETCHUP ADDED TO THE MIX , BUT FOR THE MOST PART IT WAS REALLY GOOD

COOKING LESSONS AND A POOL NOODLE

 Good Evening , hoping your week is off to a great start !Stopping in to give you the rundown on my weekend , nothing overly exciting , but it was fun  . I hope each of you are well, and those affected by the winter storm are warm .

 Saturday morning , I decided that since the Princess is now 9 it's time to start teaching her to cook a lil , simple recipes for the crock pot ,microwave, and no bake items. How old were you when you learned to cook ? What was your favorite "first" recipe?
  Once or twice a month I try to prepare a new recipe for us to sample, (usually from Pinterest)  to break up the monotony of our fave and usual selections. This week I had chosen a CROCK POT POTATO SOUP to try I thought this would be a perfect recipe to let the Princess try to make on her own .She did very good and required minimal help , she also made a strawberry cake from a box mix, with chocolate ready made frosting , I just helped with the oven , she also helped me cook bacon in the oven as a garnish for her soup, and for another meal later this week . I am VERY PROUD of her as she did an AMAZING job and her food was DELICIOUS !
After cleaning up the kitchen ,still in our jammies , bedhead and all ... she  decided that we should make a few Valentine's decorations for our homestead , since the only decoration we currently have is the blocks we made a few weeks back, I agreed.(yes I'm a pushover)
Since we live on such a limited income , we usually cannot afford to go places on the weekend or pay to do things , and often cannot buy supplies , so what we like to do is to get on Pinterest and  look for "projects " that we can make from items that we already have lying around the house ! We started out with a 3D hanging paper heart   . Made from 3 paper hearts cut from assorted scrapbook paper and glue, we then punched a hole near the top and strung a string through , to finish them off we adorned the string with assorted beads and buttons . Simple and they turned out darling , I have them hung in the doorways throughout our apartment , she even made a few extras as gifts !

After completing her hearts , she went to play in her room and watch a movie , I needed something to do to keep me moving ( I don't like to lay down when she's home unless I absolutely have to, and yes I will and am paying for that choice ) I decided I would try a "Pin-SPIRED" project , a fabric wrapped wreath from a "pool noodle" EASY ENOUGH RIGHT???
NOOOOO, not so much , let me just say this ...maybe I am far more feeble than I thought, but for the life of me I could NOT duct tape the ends of that pool noodle together by myself for love nor money !! I ended up having to postpone this project, and lie down,  until later in the day when Mr. Chuck arrived to visit with us and could help me tape the ends  .
 So , my advice should you try to make one at home 1. use only a HIGH TEMP hot glue gun to secure the ends , a LOW TEMP will not hold ! 2. have someone help tightly wrap duct tape around the ends while you hold them tightly together. Other than that lil dilemma it was actually quite a fun project and a fairly quick one ! Mine took a bit of time as I tried a few different varieties of "fabric flowers" which was also a new experience for me  . I have found that I do NOT care to make many of the "rolled ,twisted type"because having fibro and rheumatoid arthritis made them very difficult , akward  and painful to create! For the wreath itself I wrapped strips of grey jersey fabric around the wreath form securing the end with hot glue on the back side , the flowers were mainly made from felt ,and brushed cotton, secured to the wreath  with hot glue as well!

Sunday , was a lazy day , I did a lil light housework but mainly we just laid around  . Mr. Chuck came up and SURPRISED us with a trip to the local Mexican restaurant for dinner . We came home watched Netflix and I made funnel cakes for our evening snack ! After putting the Princess to bed , I was able to go outside for a bit and enjoy the beauty of the moon ... AHHHH ...BLESSED BE!

 Today, Monday ...I got the Princess out the door to school , came home, took my meds and spent the remainder of the afternoon in bed , once home from school she helped me start two more wreaths , gifts for her Grandma's  and we enjoyed Breakfast fare for Dinner.
I hope this post hasn't bored anyone too much , we hope you will come back and visit soon ...and until we meet again ...Ill always be ...just a lil raggedy ! hugs

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY CAKE

THIS SOUP WAS SO EASY AND YUMMY AND HAS BEEN ADDED TO OUR PINS WE LOVE BOARD

FUNNEL CAKE RECIPE

I'M LATE , I'M LATE ...

SO ,so  sorry for the delay ...it's been a circus around my homestead to say the very least ! The weekend was spent watching it snow ,  laying in bed like a bunch of bums , and the occasional attempt at small tasks to end the boredom . The Princess is still sick , just as I thought she was on the mend Monday afternoon she started getting very congested again and coughing non-stop so, Tuesday morning , back to the Dr. we went . The Dr . gave us new meds, if this  round does not "cure " her , the next step will be to see a pulmonary specialist at Children's Hospital! We are praying that we do NOT have to go that route! Dr. says this virus is nasty and its symptoms at times are  lasting up to a couple months...NOOOO , we are FED UP with it ...it needs to go !

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did manage to stitch a lil while I was up with the Princess , I  added a few finishes to the hearts I shared previously,  they are for a sweet local couple , and are created as a tribute to his late mother with some of her costume jewelry ,my way of giving back ! I also used vintage lace, buttons, and doilies! 

After the Dr. Tuesday , we layed in bed and watched Netflix and I did my food inventory , monthly menu , and prepared my grocery list , which takes hours !

 

Wednesday the Princess was finally able to go back to school ~HOORAY! Wednesday also happened to be my day to do the grocery shopping for the month , yes I only shop once a month for all of our food, personal , and household needs , so after an hour and a half in the store ,I was absolutely exhausted, I had to come home and rest before picking up the Princess after school .  I made a brief post about my monthly shopping  on Facebook and after many questions I have decided to do a few posts here on my blog in the very near future , on my shopping habits.

 After school, we  had a surprise visit from our friends Jenn and Soph  and while the girls played , we moms chatted and caught up a lil on what's going on in our crazy worlds , GOOD TIMES ! Jenn also brought me many bags of fabric to create with  and a few bags of clothes , I'm so excited , because Jenn is super trendy and looks MARVELOUS all the time , she's one of those "girls" ...you know the ones that could leave the house in a trash bag and still look FABULOUS AND OWN IT, I just LOVE her to pieces!!!

 I so needed clothes , thanks to all the meds, and laying around I struggle to find things that still fit in my closet and don't irritate my aching body , let alone look good and I suffer from the "typical mom syndrome" , you know the one where everyone else gets new stuff and you don't sweat going without , because it's just what we do ...lol  ...now if I can just get her to come back and  put my clothes together in my closet in "outfits" I might look good enough to go out in public !Shoot I might even start brushing my hair everyday , putting on make up  and getting out of my jammies more than once a week ! giggle, giggle ...Yea , that is probably expecting way too much!!!

 

Today (Thursday ) started out by oversleeping and missing the school bus ...OOOPS!  Thank goodness that Mr. Chuck has been coming up in the mornings to take Princess to the bus stop ,because he doesn't want her standing in the bitter cold waiting for the bus since she's already sick .

 Mr. Chuck , had overslept at his house this morning too , but managed to arrive pretty close to on time and we took Princess to school and made it just before the tardy bell ...whew... if he hadn't of shown up she would have had to stay home again ,as I don't have a vehicle to get her there ! So, today I'm extremely grateful for small miracles and kind folks! 

I'm hoping that I feel good enough tomorrow to do a lil light housework and maybe create something fun with the Princess ! Wishing each of you an Amazing weekend, for those of you in the path of the nasty winter storm moving in , you will be in my thoughts and prayers , stay safe and warm ! Until we meet again ...I'll always be ...just a lil raggedy ! hugs

I also decided to adorn a few homespun hearts , I haven't decided if I like them or what I 'm going to do with them just yet

My sleepy sick girl in mommy's bed ...sick or not you have got to laugh that she has to sleep with her mask on...such a DIVA!

EMPOWERING WOMEN ...

Good Evening , I'm so glad you came to visit! This evening I wanted to take a moment and share with you a lil story and the works of a dear friend!

Once Upon A Time in Blogland , quite a few years ago...this blog came to fruition! I had no clue what I was doing, or how any of this worked , nor did I have the slightest idea of just how many AMAZING, TALENTED women I would meet because of this blog ! One of the first ladies I met was a real sweetie named  Debbie from Missouri, a quilter and lover of prims  , she co-ran the Prim Pals Forum and invited me to join in and introduced me to the world of blog swaps, features, and lots of great  prim friends !

I immediately fell in LOVE with the peaceful , friendly , supportive, empowering atmosphere that blogging consisted of, and was HOOKED  !  Over the years many of us have drifted away , mainly to focus on Facebook, and our busy lives etc...but some have still managed to remain in contact regardless . Many of us have faced hard times , heartaches , and just unthinkable tragedies , but I'd like to think, we still remain steadfast kindred spirits regardless of the venue we express ourselves in ! I am TRULY GRATEFUL to have each of you in my life!

 I just recently returned to blogging myself and was saddened to see that so many had "gone " from blogging , some of my very favorite reads just vanished! One new thing I would like to try and do on here , is that once a month I would like to write  a blog post on one of my amazing "blog sisters" in hopes of  encouraging  more WOMEN EMPOWERING ONE ANOTHER through not only blogging , but life in general  ! I know firsthand how much of an impact such actions can make!  I hope to accomplish this by sharing the talents /blogs/ fb pages of these wonderful women ! I would also like to encourage you as readers to visit the featured Women and cheer them on in all they do , and if you aren't already connected to the featured woman , please introduce yourself , as one can never have too many great friends... as we all know it to be true that BLOG FRIENDS ARE BEST  !I also encourage you to feel free to share the Amazing Women you know ! 

Also ,slightly off the subject but needed...Upon returning , I have cleaned all the "non-active " blogs off of my reading list ,and am seeking new active bloggers to follow /read , so if you have a fave friend /blog feel free to send me an invite , I am anxious for new  reads and blog experiences !

Now for today's EMPOWERMENT post , I would like to share my dear friend Debbie with you . Though no longer blogging or quilting  , in the past  2 years  Debbie has made some DRASTIC changes in her life , she not only left her blog and quilting on the wayside , she left her 9-5 career to begin a new venture , baking cookies and the occasional cake from her home  !!! Becoming an online bakery/ cookie artist / offering local delivery and shipping  ,after many folks  began seeing and tasting her work or reading of her works , her lil Missouri business quickly "blossomed" .Then ...

 An opportunity arose that would require a GREAT LEAP OF FAITH ON Debbie's part ,after much thought, she decided to take the chance  and packed up the bare essentials left her home, husband , and pets in Missouri and headed toward her new home in LAS VEGAS, NV  ! Upon Arrival, She found a place to live and all seemed to be on track until... that opportunity that caused her to move , turned out to be a DUD (putting it nicely ) and left her with an apartment , no friends, no family , and a business to try and rebuild , amongst other personal issues!

Yet she remains so strong and Positive, such an inspiration to so many , despite the circumstances ...a TRULY EMPOWERING WOMAN , trying to not only rebuild her life from the bottom of the ladder but a business as well !

 However, at this point it is crucial that she rebuild a strong internet customer base , which will hopefully in turn allow her to draw in more local orders and Ultimately help her get that Storefront she so DESERVES! Which is exactly what brings me to this post...

I am THRILLED to share with you the Gorgeous ,DELICIOUS confectionary creations of Debbie @ FROSTED  Las Vegas ,NV... currently selling exclusively on Facebook .

  I personally have NEVER seen a more beautifully decorated cookie than those that Debbie offers , and as a repeat customer , I have to say they are just as delicious as they are beautiful .Each is professionally sealed and packaged and guaranteed fresh and delivered via mail to your door . I also must say that I find her prices to be AN AMAZING VALUE ,  for the quality  and beauty that you receive, each one a TRUE INDIVIDUAL WORK OF ART, she not only offers "holiday sweets" , she also offers beautiful custom  items for theme parties, corporate and military recognitions as well, truly a talented cookie artist , I personally don't believe there is much she cannot do !  

  I am sharing a few of her current Valentine's Day offerings and their prices (does not include shipping ) , I encourage you to click on the Frosted Link on the right sidebar or on the first cookie bouquet below to be taken to her FB page , you do NOT have to have a FB account to visit with Deb or to message her !  Also while visiting her FB page take a look at some of her past works by clicking on the  photos tab at the top of the page  !  I  know I look forward to getting my Valentine order , and strongly encourage each of you that if you are looking for beautiful delicious treats for your favorite sweets to consider giving Deb @ FROSTED  a try ! Even if you are unable to order a quick message of friendship and support will be greatly appreciated and please feel free to share with all your friends and family! I  will return Tuesday Morning with a weekend recap and a few sewing finishes ...Until we meet again ...I 'll always be ...just a lil raggedy ! hugs

FROSTED ON FACEBOOK

Please contact Debbie @ Frosted for pricing , color choices, availability on these items

Chocoalte dipped "strawberry " cookies 1/2 dozen $12 plus shipping cost, 1 dozen $20 plus shipping cost

cookie bouquets pricing varies message Debbie @ Frosted for details

chocolates cookies , candy box shape and color may vary $18 plus shipping costs

cake pops $15 a dozen plus shipping costs

message Frosted for availability , colors, and pricing

cookie roses $1.50 each or $15 a dozen with no vase , $20 a dozen with vase... all prices plus shipping costs

I love U cookie gift box $14 each plus shipping costs, message for color choices

Mini cookies 5 per package , package $5 each plus shipping costs

I love you cookie gift box $14 plus shipping costs , message for color choices