Turn The Page Tuesday - A Preview

So ... I've had a few questions as to how this will all come together. I thought I would do a little preview and offer a few suggestions as how to go about participating.

1. Please feel free to copy the Turn the page ... Tuesday picture and paste it into your sidebar with a link to this post. For those of you who have already done so, I have updated the picture so the words are legible. (I don't know why it cut off the words here but it doesn't in my side bar ... hmmm)



2. Let me know you are particpating. The first Tuesday of every month I will post my book 'review/recommendation' and also a link to your blog.


3. You are to post on the first Tuesday of each month a book that you have read recently or if time has just gotten the best of you - a book that you read (even if it was in high school) that you would recommend.
   
4. Title your post "Turn the page ... Tuesday" and I would also suggest if you use labels when you post to simply put "Turn the page Tuesday" (and book/reading or something along those lines) so that when someone does follow a link to your blog they can search the content easily.

So ... without further ado ... I actually did get to read a really great book about 3 weeks ago. I was at a local bookstore and spotted this title on the end of an aisle of used books (they really know how to get you, don't they) and was immediately taken in ... and taken to the cash register!

The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander had me not wanting to do anything else but read. I already had an interest in the Romanov dynasty but it had been left untouched since high school. I played Anastasia in a school play and always wondered what really happened. Time passed, I got busy and forgot all about that piece of history. This book does not answer what actually happened to the ill fated family but it certainly will captivate you, flows well, and is very believable. Truth be told - as soon as I finished reading the book I immediately went to my library's online catalogue to try to find more books about the Romanov's. No such luck but I think I was not searching properly. I need to call in reinforcements (mama works in a library).

If you ad this to your 'read someday' list you will not be disappointed.

Having A Ball

Another great go to baby gift.

It was a little larger than I anticipated but I still dig it. I put a little jingle ball (enclosed in some fabric just in case it ever worked it's way out). I think the next one I make I'll try cutting the pattern in half.

Despite the size I'd say this pattern is a slam dunk.

A Very Important Date

Henry and I had a date yesterday morning.

We enjoyed sweet treats and warm drinks.

Giggles and funny faces.



It was good to the last crumb.





Hope you get to have a very important date this weekend!

Zip-

a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

My, oh my, what a wonderful day!
Plenty of sunshine headin' someone's way

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Chocolate, purse and a pouch

It's the truth, it's actual

Ev'rything is satisfactual

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Wonderful feeling, beautiful day ...

Just A Little Note

More goodies for my BTRS partner.

Love a quick crafting fix.

Charmed

At least I hope my BTRS swap partner will be!

This is just the beginning of my big plans for my Heather Bailey fabric.

More goodies to come ...

This Bud's For You

Hope you had a great weekend. We are finally coming out of our stupor and spring is all around us. It's so refreshing and invigorating.

Stay tuned this week for some craftiness (finally). I actually managed to sew and crochet last week. Just need to take some pictures.

Also, I have had a few questions regarding Turn the page Tuesday ... more info to come. I also updated the picture so you could actually see the words when it is in your sidebar. Feel free to recopy the picture.

I am going to enjoy the blooms on my apple tree and think of all that is (and who) to come.

Some Bunny

Is gonna love this lovey.

As you can see ...

somebunny already does.

Pattern here. I used TLC Cotton Plus and it is oh so soft. This is for a friend who just had a baby ... I used my 20% off coupon today from AC Moore to buy blue and green yarn for my little bunnies. Now maybe they'll actually stop holding this bunny hostage.

Hoppy Spring!

Confessions Of A Drive-Thru Mom

Photo from McDonalds.com

I must confess. I take my kids to McDonald's. Actually, I take then by McDonald's ... we go through the drive-thru and I pass french fries back as I drive.

I know.

Shudder.

As much healthy food I (try) to pump into my kids (whole wheat / oat pancakes, fruit smoothies, organic {insert food}, whole food/vitamin supplement ...) I somehow have lapsed into going through the golden arches after a doctors visit. So counter productive. Needless to say we have had a terrible week that began with Henry having a fever of 104 at 2 AM Saturday. Now DH is down for the count (has been since Monday).

It's been ugly.

In the past two weeks, I've taken John once, Henry once and after having to give Henry a breathing treatment last night you can rest assured that we are heading back again today. I've contributed greatly to economy. I've decided that doctors and McDonald's are immune to the recession.

So ... amidst all the fevers, coughing, and nose blowing I've had a few chuckles that helped ease my drive-thru mommy guilt temporarily. Here's a few of our conversations:

John, Henry, and I in examining room for John:

MD - John looks great - all is clear. I'd just keep him on his allergy meds - this is all allergy related.

Me - Great. Thanks. Ok - boys - let's go.

John - MCDONALD'S!!!!

Henry and I in car after MD appointment; DH is officially sick and in the bed:

Me: Do you want a cheeseburger happy meal?

Henry: Yes. No fries. You know how they make me sick. They are not like our fries daddy makes. They are not good for you.

Me: ok

Henry: Daddy wants a quarter pounder with cheese ... will they ask if you need a toy for a boy and for a man?

An hour later ... Henry is home with DH and I'm picking up John from preschool:

John (as he climbs in my car): French fries. French fries. FRENCH FRIES!!!

Me: John, I don't have any french fries. I don't have any to give you.

John: FRENCH FRIES! tears ...

Me: Oh. You smell french fries.

John: tears ... Yes ... tears ... smell french sniff sniff fries

~~~~~~~~~~

sigh. We must see the light (or the grease) during these trying times. Here's to heath and wellness ... and no more McDonald's!

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

Read any good books lately? I have and sometimes I forget to share with my bloggy friends. How about you; do you forget too? It's ok. Really. Let's make it up to each other, k? Let's make the first Tuesday of every month Turn the page ... Tuesday.

That only commits us to reading 9 books this year ... or not. Let's say you just couldn't find the time / book / mojo to read. Tell us about a book you read in the past. Odds are we haven't discovered it already and we can add it to our list of must read soon. Let me know if you plan to participate! Feel free to grab the picture and link to this post for your sidebar.

Are you ready ... Tuesday, April 7th will be here before you know it! Um, and no, documents from the IRS do not count.

Cuts Like A Knife

So ... I'm washing some of my fabric, ironing (which I only do for sewing), and preparing to tap into my inner Rotary Ninja for Day 1 of The Mystery Purse Sew Along ... I decided to make a paper pattern of the large piece that I have to cut 6 times. So far so good. I lay out my main fabric, get my pattern and rotary ready ... but wait ... some thing doesn't look right. My pattern is not going to fit they way it should. Ok, maybe I turned the fabric and have it laying the wrong way. Nope. Is my pattern correct? Yup.

It can't be. Did I order the wrong amount of fabric? Nope. I was short changed by 5 inches. 5 inches!!!!! Ok. Deep breath. Not the end of the world - yet.

I called Quilt Home (knowing their website says they are closed on Saturday but I was desperate) and they answered. They are shipping out another yard to me today. How's that for customer service!

I went ahead and cut out the lining fabric so I'd be ready to play catch-up when my new yard arrives. I figured since I had all my stuff out (my table was trashed) I would keep on going'. I cut out what I needed for the Charming Handbag for the BTRS.

Exterior: CABBAGE ROSE - peachypink

Lining: STRIPE - peachypink

I love these fabrics!

Manic Mail Monday

Ok. I know it's Friday but Monday was a great mail day. So great that it took me a few days to recover before I could share my joy (and my obvious obsession with Heather Bailey's fabrics ... almost all purchased at wholesale price!).

I have big plans.

BIG.

Out On A Limb

I have been working on these softies for far to long.

Wordless Wednesday - Tree Huggers

Stitches From the Heart

Well looky here. I think I just found a way to satisfy my itch to stitch and make something ... (read: finish in a reasonable amount of time) and actually make a difference.

photo from 'Stitches From the Heart' web site

I got a newsletter the other day from Lion Brand Yarn and lo and behold was an article about Stitches From the Heart. How did they know I was looking for just this one thing ... After all, one can only have so many dish cloths!

Puff Puff

Yea, that's the sound of my chest filling with pride. Awe shucks guys. Thanks for all the living room love ... If you all were not just in my virtual world but my touch and hug world we would for sure have some over caffeinated good times here!

I thought I would pass on the paint colors ... in case you feel the need to get out your rollers and tape (I have to tape to paint!). All the colors are Benjamin Moore ~ the living room is Ground Hog Day (that just cracks me up for some reason ... I think of the movie and how life with small children sometimes repeats it's self ... over ... and over ... and over ...). We painted the dining room Crimson and loved it so much we painted the foyer the same color. It's so warm and inviting ... like a great big hug! We like color and aren't afraid to go there ... you might remember our recent bathroom renovation. That color is not BM ... it was meant for another room that turned out to be a big mistake! We used the leftover for the bathroom and called it a day! We have sort of a ketchup, mayo, lettuce thing going on the first floor (our kitchen is Bunker Hill Green). That's it for now ... more rooms to come soon. I need to get out the crayon box and get to work ;-)

On a completely different note but still on the made me feel oh-so-good track ... I volunteered to make some foldable/reusable grocery totes for a local fundraiser. They paired the totes with a membership to a local food co-op.

I know you all have seen my totes ad nauseam but these people had never seen them ... didn't even know I could sew! It was a nice 20 minutes of ooos and ahhhs. I had to leave the party because a migraine took over full force. It was ugly. I am just now feeling human again. But it did get me to thinking (while dozing in and out of medicated consciousness) these are pretty fast to make and easy to do assembly style ... what are they worth? How much would you pay for one of these? Seriously. $10, $12, $15? I don't know ... a quick Etsy search led to me think $10 is the fair price but for some reason I am leaning towards $12 buckaroos. What do you think? I really did have some requests and if I got my act together could have a little Some of a Kind Shop ;-)

Here's a very blurry picture of DH and I right when we got to the shin dig ...

The funny thing about this picture being blurry ... that's how my head felt! Nothing like allergies and a drastic change in the weather to get my head a spinnin'. Off to play catch up from being in bed for a day! Hope all is (and are) well in your neck of the woods.

Hello Sunshine

It was nice enough outside today that I had an impulse to do this

10 painted toes and 75 beautiful degrees.

Here's to sunshine and

ok ... plus a few more candles ;-D

Favorite Room Friday

Well hello friends. Won't you come in? Would you like a cup of tea? Maybe coffee instead ... come have a seat. Take a load off.


Paige is hosting Favorite Room Friday and I'd love to share with you my favorite room. It's the heart of our home; especially in the winter months. Our living room.

The dresser by the door and the TV cabinet were made by a local carpenter - he does amazing work is and is unbelievably reasonable - seriously. You can't be the quality and his craftsmanship. The 'Olde New York' picture over the sofa is from a trip DH and I took to NYC about a year after we started dating. We both fell in love with it ... that just sealed the deal - I knew we were meant to be together then!

This room has been rearranged so many times (much to DH's dismay). Despite the empty planters to the right (it's going on a year now) I think I've finally got it just right.

The little rocker was my step mother's ex-husbands ~ how that for not keeping it in the family! The blue lovey was made by my mom and the green one by my grandmother. Lot's of cuddling with those. The table, chair, and mirror were my husbands grandparents - lots of memories for both DH and myself ... we hope to make many more. The vases on the table were made by a friend of mine and the bookshelf is filled with pictures of family and books that were my Grammy's. The watercolor of Henry is amazing. Our neighbor painted it from a picture; even got his sweet little dimple. When John turns four we will have one made of him as well. Both my boys have dimples ... I tell them it's where the angels kissed them ...

See that cozy chair in the right corner.

Yup. That one. I love nothing more but to sit there and read to my boys (note the bin of library books to the right of it under the side table). They climb all over me, poke my sides with their little elbows, kick me with their feet ... until they are settled in ... just right. Even better with a fire in the fireplace.

I also love to sit in that chair when all is quite and read grown up books ;-), (try to) crochet / knit ... or cat nap ;-D

Our house was built in the early 1930's and this room underwent a bit of work ... to see it in progress take a peek here. Glad those days are behind us!

I hope you are warm and cozy and have enjoyed your visit. We love our home and are ever so thankful to have found the diamond in the rough that we did. Thanks for the company ... let's do this again soon, shall we?

Wordless Wednesday - Game Time

There's No Day ...

Like a snow day ...

or two.

The aftermath ...

Literally

As I was getting John ready for bed tonight our conversation was as follows:

Me: Ready to read?

J: Wocket in Pocket. Wocket in Pocket.

Me: Do you have a wocket in your pocket?

J: No. I have bajamas. I have bajamas on. No pocket. No Wocket.