Catching Up: Quilt for Layla

Layla is a very young lady battling a form of cancer normally found in retirees.  She moved to Texas from a land far, far away, then moved out of the country.  She and her family fell in love with Texas and its western, laid back lifestyle.  She loves horses.

My friends L and M purchased Texas and western fabric last Christmas, well just because they are really nice people, and added it to my stash.  It was perfect for Layla's horse quilt.  

My second quilt from start to finish in 3 days, interspersed with work.

Quilt Finished

Fav Fabric 1

Fav Fabric 2

I hope Layla finds comfort with her horses.

Catching Up: On hold for an emergency

Good morning,

I know, I know, I promised there would be postings of my projects, but after lunch with friends we were informed that another friend's daughter has cancer.  This is a young girl, about 12, who has cancer.  She's lost part of her lung, and the cancer is throughout her chest area.  Please pray for this young girl.  Her dad and I worked together years ago.

It's back to the stash and sewing room to make a lap quilt just for her.

Thank you all for your prayers.

Happy Birthday to ME!! Gift #2 & 3

Gift #2
With the possum out of the way, it was time to move on to bigger and better things.  Hubby purchased a power sprayer to help clean the chicken coop.  Call me weird, but I am actually happy with it.  The second box was a little more interesting.

Gift #3
Magic Man and I met six years ago.  My friend Nancy likes Bruce and our relationship, we compliment each others creativity and humor.  Nancy is a gifted quilter, as you will see, wanted to capture that relationship in fabric.

She found fabric shortly after we married and was inspired to start a quilt for us.  The colors are the primary colors in the Magic Museum.  The quilt pattern is Card Trick.

Inspiration Fabric

Card Trick

 This project took a few years, revisions, consultations, and a whole lot of love to complete.

Quilt Front

There are 89 different fabrics in this quilt, gathered from all across the great USA.  Each one heart selected, based on Bruce and my professions, hobbies, passions, and faith.  She took the time to cut out the pattern in the fabric to piece into the quilt.  What kind of love is that?

The back is filled with applique bunnies, using the quilt fabric.

Nancy pushed creativity to the limit and appliqued rabbits on the back of the quilt, hopping around cards and more bunnies in the center of the quilt back.

Quilted pillows back

She took the time to quilt the backs of the pillows...

Quilted pillows front.

And honor Bruce's parents by printing photos of these rabbits they made and painted many years ago.  

The ensemble is beautiful.  BUT now we need a bigger bed.  :)

I wish I had words to express my joy and gratitude for this precious gift.  The time, expense, the love that went into this project cannot be measured.

All I can say is the God is so good to me for giving me the bestest of friends and family.

Two Weeks and Growing

Ooops!!  Someone forgot to hit the post button last week.  The Golden Girls are developing into haggard looking pullets.  This must be their awkward stage.  No, me thinks "awwk" is for parrots.

From last week...

It's nice we only have an occasional snow in the Big City North.  The Golden Girls spent happy hour outdoors these last few days.  

How quickly The Girls are growing!  Everyday they change; I sit and go through their names, making sure I can identify them.  Yes, they are changing that much.  Two weeks ago, all six fit in the feeder; today the feeder holds only two.  New feathers sprout by the hour, and fuzzy feathers are everywhere, or maybe it's the pollen from the trees.

The brooding house is 3 times as large as the day we brought them home.  The outdoor pen is twice the size of the new brooder.  They run every inch of the new space.

This my first experience with chickens.  They are fascinating to watch.  Here they are the day they came home.

The GG first day with us.  They were about 2 weeks old, I was told.

After one week, not much changed.  Still cute and fuzzy, but they were bigger and food consumption had not increased.

Two weeks and the girls are unrecognizable.  Not only are they sprouting feathers, their colors are pronounced and richer.  It is easier to tell them apart.  Annabelle is still the leader.  She flits and sits atop the cardboard box they call home-in-a-home.  She dares another to share her space.  Edie is the friendliest and most vocal.  She takes after her name sake.

Holy Cow.  Look at all those feathers!

The Girls love the outdoor pen.  Back to the brooder late afternoon, they sleep most of the night.  Tomorrow we're expecting rain, I'm expecting unhappy girls by evening.

The GG love the outdoor life.  

 Oh, and the appetites have increased, by 3 fold.  It's time for a bigger dish!

I learned a valuable lesson.  Keeping water clean is a challenge.  They've grown into Mr. Whiskers', the magic rabbit, water bowl.  We change it several times a day - and night.  Granddaughter and I love to sit and watch the girls and we noticed they love to jump on things, then sit.  So this was the test.  Elevate the water bowl on some bricks, and put additional bricks all around the water bowl.  The water was untainted for 36 hours.  

Awards and "It Must be a Sign"

What a weekend...

     In case I failed to mention this tidbit, Magic Man and I moved from the Big City to the Big City North last summer. My job keeps me racing back 300 miles to the Big City every couple of weeks, but that's another story.
     This past weekend, my dear friend M and I headed south.  He did not know he was the recipient of the prestigious "Volunteer of the Year" award at the FRC Regional event.  Surprise!!  Neither of us could participate this year due to conflicts, but I had to get him there for this one day AND keep the award a secret.  It was good to show up, even for a few hours.  We missed the kids, the volunteers, the coaches - and they missed us (hurray!).  Good, good times.

M sharing the joy with another recipient

      Did I mention how much we enjoy the kids?  These students are great!  They are innovative, creative, and a lot of fun.  They ARE our hope for the future.  STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) events are an inspiration to learn and apply learning.  They are, contrary to popular belief, not always the "smart kids."  They simply have a hands-on activity that gives them the desire to learn and to express themselves.

Teams create and design their uniforms and work clothing...

All-girl team sporting their work aprons

Team Shirt

... and are responsible to keep their machines running.

Quick maintenance between matches

     This year, each team made a shirt for the EmCee to sport during introductions.  This one is my favorite.  Can you find the shark?  Poor guy, he had over 50 shirts to wear over 2 days.

EmCee and the Shark Shirt

It was a fun day.  Lots of wonderful memories.

     On the way home, we detoured by Mom's out in the "Middle of Nowhere."  I love it there, so does M and his wife L.   A quick night's sleep, breakfast, and we were on the road again toward home (after raiding Mom's garden - shhhhh!).  But first, we stopped at the Tomato Stand, a little self serve place just off the FM road.  You don't see these places much anymore in these parts, so I frequent them as often as I can.

Tomatoes

And more

     20 miles further up the road is the Egg Farm, another self serve spot off the road.   It's an understanding with the customers; no sign needed - and Mrs. B only sells eggs.
     Finally, there was a quick stop for lunch.  This sign made me laugh as is evident by the poor quality of the photo.  I couldn't take a better picture.

Take a Number Please

    It was good to get back home.  I missed Magic Man and the Golden Girls and Granddaughter..., oh and her parents.

Creative Cousin's Coolest Kitchen Container

I have the most creative cousin who happens to be my FAVORITE cousin, but not solely for the creative reason.  She is also witty, funny, a great cook (she clings to Cajun traditional cooking), artistic, and has an eye for decor.  She hunts, fishes, gardens, and trains animals.  I have not found anything she cannot do.  Her mind is constantly churning whether it's something brewing on the stovetop or finding a way to repurpose, recycle, or reuse an item headed to the trash - or sometimes not.  That item may have been left unattended for a minute and is now hers.

Cousin D aka CCC or Crazy Cajun Cousin, is the most amazing person I know and I'm blessed with the good fortune to be related, and to be loved like her little sister.

CCC decorating for our wedding reception

So one of her recent repurposed projects that I love is her very handy "Wrap Rack."  It a common problem to find enough space for plastic zip bags, rolls of foil or plastic wrap, etc.  Cousin D, however, found the perfect solution.  She pulled an unused hanging shoe rack from the closet.  One quick glance, followed by a "Hmmmmm??" and she darted off to the kitchen and yanked Ziplock and Glad boxes from her pantry.  She slid them into the shoe slots and "voila" her storage problem was solved.  Almost.  She cut a slit in one of the shoe slots in order to retrieve the zip bags and decided that the plastic shroud was subject to ripping over time.  She dug out her trusty duct tape and reinforced the opening.  Now her plastic and foil items are handy, freeing oodles of pantry space.  The "mate" side of the shoe bag is perfect for holding the refill box.

It took me almost a year to find one of these shoe bag treasures and I grabbed it quickly when I did.  Sadly, it was the only one in stock.  But I have mine.  Not exactly matching my kitchen decor, but there are times, even with Cousin D's solutions, function ranks over beauty.

Cousin D's Wrap Rack hangs outside the pantry

I need to visit Cousin D soon and find her other creations to outfit my home and garden.

Love you my dearest Cousin.

Mimicking Hamburger Helper

Magic Man was a well established bachelor when we met.  He was and is independent, a handyman, a very talented illusion manufacturer, housekeeper, and cooks to survive - not because he likes that task.  To be fair, he does a few really good recipes "up his sleeve", so to speak.  I love his potato salad, beans, ribs, fajitas, and sausage.  HIS personal favorites added Hamburger Helper, canned asparagus, and green beans overloaded with bacon, onions, and salt.

The other night, like every night this week, required a quick meal at home.  At work I wondered what we could toss together and be palatable.  I don't stock Hamburger Helper in my pantry, but decided with our stock we could mimic Magic Man's favorite "blend."

Arriving home from work, I headed straight for the kitchen snatching a large baking potato and onion en route.  My trusty Dutch oven started heating on the burner and after a quick potato prep, we sliced it into thicker-than-potato-chip pieces.  We browned the potato slices in hot oil in the Dutch oven, then chopped the onion while the potato slices cook.  The spuds were done, so they started the draining excess oil process and were set aside.  Back in the Dutch oven, the onions sautéd to which we added some ground beef.  A quick defatting of the meat mixture and addition of some flour - I guess it was a couple of tablespoons, we stirred this together and let the mixture bubble and brew for a while.  It was time to toss in some salt, pepper, and minced garlic followed by a cup-ish of chicken broth.  This mixture was thickening nicely and starting to smell really good.  During that simmering time, I discovered a package of frozen peas and dumped those in.  Back in went the potatoes, followed by a couple of big dollops of sour cream.  A final good stir and it was time to eat.

Magic Man complained.  We should have doubled the recipe.

No pictures to go with this story.  Maybe next time.  No one expected this meal to be a hit.  The best part is, this recipe becomes one of our "Some" collection.

The Town Crier

This has been a great week.  My stolen vehicle was recovered earlier this month and my trusted mechanic returned it to me Wednesday.  She may be old, but she's certainly reliable and proven resistant after rudely taken from her home.

I drove to Mom's Thursday morning, picked her up and headed to Big City North.  My daughter was schedule for induction Friday morning.  Friday night, we welcomed our newest family member.   I was so happy to be here and hold her in my arms.

Meanwhile, Daughter and Baby are receiving doctors and nurses this morning.  Mom and I are going shopping (she forgot to bring pants) then race back to visit the Zoe this afternoon.

We're finishing this week with Mom's meatloaf.  If I get my two cents and to the kitchen first, meatload accompanied by mashed potatoes and green beans.  Maybe while we're out, we can add a loaf of warm French bread to the menu.

What a great week.  Yes, I had to declare it again.

Miscommunication Turned Good

This weekend, Big City North friends dropped in unexpectedly to deliver their sack o' shirts.  Actually, it was a huge miscommunication that worked out well.  Let's set up the scenario before the story begins.

We lost a very dear friend the afternoon before Thanksgiving.  We knew him and his family for over 25 years.  He voluntold as referees for FIRST Robotics.  He was a great leader for us and mentor for the teams.  In his memory, we are making a quilt for his family. 
We considered working on the quilt this weekend.  Where was never discussed.  I planned to drive to Big City North to be with my daughter as she enters into labor.  They thought while they were delivering an ROV (for an underwater robotic competition demonstration) to the Big City.  Understand, we thought Magic Man was bringing the ROV back here when he returned home.

The situation worked out well for us.  We made lots of progress on the quilt.  Imagine, if you will, engineers cutting and stablizing quilt blocks.  "This reminds me of making composites." "This reminds me of sheet metal layout."  So ladies, know that what you do in the quilting world is indeed very techinical.

Our friends brought a gift.  Here it is.  Oh, it matches the granddaughter's bedroom.  How convenient and fortunate for ME!

Look What Followed Me to Work!

This young fella was guarding the door.  Mr. B and his breakfast burger coaxed him into the building.  Ms. Julia is coming to pick him up and take him home.  I would take him if we had a place for him to run.

This is My Lucky Day

Luck #1.

Mr. B works with me.  Mr. B is very talented, is not credited enough for his skills.  On top of that, he's one heck of a nice guy.  I adore Mr. B.  He should be my son.

Mr. B had a bag of lemons on his desk, at least that was the info from his office partner in Mr. B's absence.  I picked up and smelled those bright yellow orbs.  Then he walks in.  I was caught sniffing the goods.  He explained they came from his tree at home, then graciously offered the bag of, the bag of LIMES.  Yellow limes?  These must be ripe.

Luck #2

Sam's Club is not my favorite place to shop.  To be honest, outside of fabric shops or old-time hardware stores, I don't like to shop.  OK, maybe the trip to the farmers' market.  But since I HAD to be here, I wandered over to the cheese chest.  Preparing to be disappointed again, my eyes carefully scanned the dairy assortment.  And then, I heard the angels, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh...".  There was my cheese, MY cheese.  It was back.  Containing a happy dance, I picked up a block and hurried it to check out.  No waiting, no pausing for  any other item.  This was my sole purchase, my soul purchase.  I hugged the cheese all the way home.

Back at the hacienda, I carefully hid the block of gold in the refrigerator, away from Magic Man's hands that sleight.  He will not make my cheese disappear, I will.

Look at all the lovely colors of heat in this cheese, the swirl of jack and cheddar.  It is time for a midnight snack.

'Night y'all.

Favorite Photos

Once in a while I get lucky with the camera.  Sometimes I borrow a photo from a family member, just because I like it and it warms the cockles of my heart.

There's not much to say, this picture just makes me smile.

I dare you to call her the Old Bag.

Backyard Visitor - He walked up and wanted his ears scratched. - the smaller one.  The big one is known to bite, butt, and kick.  He visited several days, then moseyed on to other territories.

Tell me I'm wrong.  Was this guy the model and inspiration for Buc-ee?

Let me in on the joke!  It must have been good.

Doggie Make-Over

Most people are lucky to have siblings.  Some have only brothers or only sisters, some have a combination of both.  I have two siblings.  One is my brother, the other is the bother.  Obnoxious and fun loving, he does not qualify for the first "R" in our blood relationship.

Oh, he can't be that bad, you say.  Ask Mom's dog.  Notice, he now has eye brows.

Strange Relationship

I have a good friend, one of my best and one of my longest (oldest sounds so negative).  We met in college; but knew we were not compatible as boyfriend/girlfriend.  For years, we disapproved each others "partners."  Then the right woman came into his life, they married, had kids - two boys.  Those two are spitting images of their dad.  I question if they know who the real mother is.  Mom is sweet and gentle and very much a lady.  Me, I like to get my hands dirty, play with power tools, and enjoy the great outdoors.  I enjoy cooking, but cleaning can be left alone for a little while.

The youngest son and I were chatting one day, I believe we were grilling ribs in my backyard.  Jokingly I told him he was one of my favorite nephews.  He replied I was his favorite uncle.

Me:  "Uncle?"
Him:  "Yep, Dad always says you're one of the guys."
Me:  "Why would he say that?"
Him:  "Because you can do things Mom can't.  She can't tell the difference between a screwdriver and a hammer."

From that point I was known as "Uncle Cindy."

I am proud of both of these young men.  The eldest has finished his service with the United States Army, the youngest is now enlisted in the US Navy.  Thank you very much for your selfless decisions.

Whoda Thunk It?

My car was stolen from my home last week.  It's 12 years old, but a good car for me.  I know all of its little quirks, but even those are few.  Convinced it was stolen for parts and gone forever, I was getting in the mindset for the purchase of a new vehicle.

The sheriff's office called last night to let me know my car was picked up on the other side of the Big City.  "Is it drive-able?"  "I don't know," said the voice on the other end of my phone.  "Do I need a tow truck?" - again, "I don't know."  Outside of the conversation with the sheriff's department, I'm glad the Big City PD's access to the state's database worked and had recovered it within a week.

How the thugs started my car

How the losers got into my car.

It looks like little hoodlums took my blueberry out for a joy ride.  They trashed the contents, and didn't take anything but a down vest my in-laws gave me for Christmas last year.

I am blessed.  I despise thieves and liars, but I am blessed.

Winter Food

We're back home after visiting with my daughter and her husband for Christmas.  This was her first time as a hostess for a holiday meal.  It was wonderful and the portions were perfect.  She had enough leftovers for a meal for she and her husband.

Ready to relax, I thought it would be fun to share a holiday story about my family...  Dad and Mom were trying to decide what to eat for dinner later in the week.

Dad:  "I hate winter.  Everything we eat is served in a bowl."
Mom:  "Well?  What do you want to eat?"
Dad:  "Ooh, chili sounds good!"

If it were me, I would be dumping his chili on a plate.

Happy recovery!

Panic Attack

It's a bitter sweet morning that turned for the best.

We had RAIN last night, not just rain but RAAAIIINNNN!!!  Glorious, precious rain.  And she brought her friend Lightening.  I woke up this morning, stepped into my home office and froze.  My computer was dead.

Don't panic (too late)...  check everything.  I moved the computer plug from the UPS to the wall.  Whew, I'm back online.  I guess with a strike last night the UPS made the ultimate sacrifice.

Time to unplug and head to the office.  Boss is taking us out for a Christmas lunch today.  It's going to be a blessed day after all.

Update:  Today was different for me.  I spent the morning operating a forklift.  Yes, I am certified to operate this machine.  I rarely have the opportunity to take advantage of my training.  The new task was a very welcomed change.

Four Basic Food Groups & Food Pyramid

The Christmas countdown is clocking away too quickly and my Christmas gifts are not completed.  Who had the bright idea to MAKE all our gifts this year?  Oh yeah, that was me.  Today's post is quick and dirty.

Magic Man claims to be a second generation vegetarian.  He eats animals which eat grass, hay, etc.

Magic Man said he was late for his last performance with PETA, he was detained at an animal rights BBQ.

Magic Man has declared his four food groups:  Ham, Bacon, Sausage, and Pork Chops.  When I reminded him the Four Basic Food Groups are replaced with the Food Pyramid, he thought and carefully chose his words:

:)

Ham

Bacon

Sausage

Pork Chops

I can't win.

Framing My First Blogger Follower

This is an exciting day for me.  In my new blogger world, I received my first comment AND my first follower, The Garden Bell.  It's like getting my first dollar after opening a business.

Thank you.  You brightened my day.  Happy, happy, joy, joy!!

My Baby's Birthday

Today is baby girl's birthday.  Yes, she's 26.  Yes, she's carrying her first child (due in a month), but she's still my baby.

Unfortunately, I have not digitized many pictures of her the early years.

 Grandpa and the train ride

 Holding her puppy

 Baby with Baby in Costume

 Beating up the military personnel

 With Granny, laughing at Grandpa

With Loved ones at Mom's wedding reception