I love cozy winter pajamas and fleecy robes…I love wearing wooly scarves and leather gloves. I have a couple of coats that are so dang cute. And after our hot Central Texas summers, we all look forward to cooler weather. Until it actually gets here!!! Just let the temperature drop below 60 degrees, or let the weatherman start talking about wind chill numbers and the romance of winter disappears…immediately…Hubby and I just returned from the grocery store, and I’ll swear half of New Braunfels, Texas, was there stocking up for the next predicted cold front. It reminded us of the shopping frenzy that precedes the coming of a hurricane along the Gulf coast. Our version of extreme cold is the low 20’s…sure, some of our more northerly friends scoff and talk about single digits, but when the wind blows, my nose runs and my eyes tear up, and I’m ready for spring. So we long for comfort foods like mac and cheese, and soup, and chili, and stew…well, that must be a universal reaction to winter. Half the hot chocolate inventory was gone and there wasn’t a single Marie Calendar Chicken Pot Pie to be had. We were able to get the makings for stew and taco soup. But we really wanted a pot pie bubbling in the oven…don’t offer me your favorite recipe if it means another trip to the store. I’m gonna hunker down with my new super soft throw and a couple of books and wait for the spring thaw. Tomorrow is Groundhog Day and if that little critter knows what’s good for him, he better not see his shadow!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Pink Saturday Spring Cleaning “Start Slow and Taper Off”
Pink Saturday and sunshine in Central Texas!!! Yea! It’s been such a cold winter with lots of time for staying indoors drinking hot tea and working on crafts projects. One evening I needed a sewing needle so I pulled out my vintage Pink sewing basket.
Isn’t it cute? look at the detail on the top.
But not so cute inside…I had dropped it one day and it had turned over spilling everything.
What a mess! Trying to find a needle was like looking in the proverbial haystack. So I set about restoring order. It may be only a token attempt to start Spring Cleaning, but it’s not exactly spring yet. So I decided to take Susan Branch’s advice about housework, you know, “Start slow and taper off.” First I had to wade through dozens of spare buttons. You know the ones that are attached to new clothes when you cut the tags off.
All those buttons are now organized in the spare button box.
Look underneath that pile of buttons. Do you see the cross stitched tablecloth ? Hubby’s grandmother made it…I have a similar version in shades of blue made by my own grandmother. I’ll bet those ladies kept their sewing boxes in better order.
Then I found a couple of little mesh bags to hold all those odds and ends. And all those loose pins and needles are safely resting in the pincushion. No more searching the haystack.
Since I have officially started Spring cleaning, I think the weatherman should join the effort be sending some spring days. I love my little Pink Sewing basket, excuse me, my tidy little pink sewing basket.
My resolution for 2011 is to live a more purposeful life. I have been doing pretty well…not 100% on every front, but so far, I have met my goal of a weekly trip to leave items in the Hospice Thrift Store (without going inside to browse). My closets are starting to look more organized and less crowded already. The bookcases will be next. And the attic. And the garage…
I have written in my new journal every night and I am enjoying the day’s reflections…nothing profound to be sure, but affirming never the less.
The walking goals are on hold because of the cold, but as I said, start slow… Enjoy your Pink Saturday and stop in to say “Hi” to our hostess Beverly who has organized a lovely way to spend a Saturday http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/
Beverly’s Featured Blogger this week is my very good friend Nancy http://www.mycraftylittlepage.blogspot.com/
She is the one who got me started with Etsy and it was she who introduced me to the world of blogging. Nancy is amazingly creative and her blog is always just what the doctor ordered. If you don’t already know her, drop in and enjoy. Every post is a treat.
Have a Pink Week.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Happy Homemaker Tag Along…
Happy New Year and Happy New Swap! I was able to slip in after the closing and join Elizabeth’s year-long tag swap! So this month’s tag had to be done in a Texas-Two Step Hurry Up! But theme has been picked and the year long plan is in place…So here goes…First, we were challenged to buy supplies only once and then use things we had on hand…I decided not to purchase new, but to use what was already in the paper drawer…it’s part of new year’s resolutions.(Yeah, for the last three or four New Years!)But this time I mean it!
Since I’ve chosen a Mexican Kitchen and “Panchita” as my Happy Homemaker, the papers are reds and greens for the Mexican flag…I’ll also be pulling from a pack of mulberry papers and a pad of card stock from Flavia in case I need some brights and some tiny tags…
“Back in the day “… late 60’s…there was a little booklet called In The Kitchen With Panchita. Panchita taught us everyday household Spanish. I thought of her immediately when I found out about the Happy Homemaker theme. I decided to do Spanish 101 with a year’s worth of possibilities to explore…the first tag features a vintage Mexican tiled kitchen with a Happy Homemaker fanning the fire in the stove.
I made an enlarged copy, cut her out, and popped her into the kitchen so she has a 3-D look.
A copy of the little booklet is popped alongside and the inside sub-title, “A Handbook For Housewives” finishes the front. Some bright Fiesta silk braid gives the tag a happy look. When you turn it over, you find this month’s Spanish lesson…
the Months Of The Year. Isn’t that a perfect lesson for Enero (January). There’s a little song to teach the months and, of course, the translation is just below.
The tags are lacking tassels and embellishments, but I need time to consider the entire year’s worth to see what I want to add. Living and shopping on the Texas-Mexican border for all my life has provided me with loads of bits and pieces that will come in handy and still keep me in Elizabeth’s plan to use what we have on hand. My tag is certainly not “over the top”,but since I came so late to the party, I’m not unhappy with it…until I start visiting everyone else’s January Happy Homemaker tags. Bet they are Amazing…I took a peek at Nancy’s last night… Yup, Amazing. One of the reasons I set this challenge for myself was to “Grow”…So let the challenge begin! I hope my December tag shows that I have done just that.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Pink Saturday …Let’s Get This Party Started!…NOT
Hope your New Year is filled with Blessings in every shade of Pink…I’ll spend the day taking down Christmas. My mother’s family always liked to keep everything up until Epiphany, but I won’t honor that tradition this year. I’ve been fighting a cold all week and I’m keeping my germs at home. No big parties for me. Nope, I’ll be watching the Rose parade and the Bowl game later while I pack it up. But before I put the lid on the last box, I do want to share some holiday pink. This little tree stands in the dining room and it is dedicated to handmade felt stars and Russian wood folk ornaments.
Isn’t that just the sweetest face? and look at those rosy pink cheeks. The felt stars came from Nancy’s church craft show a few years back. And look at these pretties… and the priest to keep us mindful of the season…
The Wooden Russian ornaments are from our trip to Alaska. They are a great reminder of a fabulous trip. A group of nested dolls are gathered around the base.
Say goodbye for another year, Ladies. We’ll see you next Christmas…until next Saturday, have a pink week. Say “HI” to Nancy at My Crafty Little Page. http://www.mycraftylittlepage.blogspot.com/ and then thank our sweet hostess Beverly. http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Friday, December 10, 2010
It’s a Wonderful Pink Life
Yes, that’s my all time, hands down, no doubt about it favorite Christmas movie. It’s a Wonderful Life …If it had a classic song like “White Christmas”, it would be complete. I had a longer post with pictures ready to go…thought I had posted and linked, but this newer edition of Live Writer sent the draft into the hidden depths of my laptop and I just can’t find it…hope this one makes it to the surface intact. Happy Pink Saturday to all until I figure out the kinks.
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Limping Deer and the Twins
They are still spotted at this time.
Milk Glass Collection
Who knew that a 25 cent flea market find would unleash such a collecting frenzy? I never pay more than a dollar unless it's a really nice piece. They are great grouped with a single daisy in each.
These used to be inexpensive florist vases in the 50's and 60's. Everyone's Grandmother had bunches.
Mexicana Dishes
My sister found these for me at Bussy's Flea Market in San Antonio, Texas. I had seen pictures in her Fiesta reference book. Mexicana was also made by Homer Laughlin in the 30's. I had been looking for several years without ever finding even a single piece when she found the set...with a promise to hold it for us, she came running to find me and I bought the entire set...60+ pieces for $50.
Mexicana
I've added to the set over the years, but the price and experience will never match that first amazing find.
Vintage Kitchen Hutch
When my hubby found this hutch it was Pepto pink and I was not 100% sure about it. But with a new red back and fresh white paint and refurbished hardware, it became one of my favorite pieces.
Nancy made me save the vine
The vine and flowers painted on the inside were in such bad shape that I was ready to remove it all. Nancy -My Crafty Little Page convinced me to keep it and after some touch-up work, I'm glad I listened to her. My husband restores vintage Cushman motorscooters and he tries to make everything "mint" condition again. The Shabby Chic movement came along just in time to keep me from making some terrible mistakes.
