AUTUMN

What is your favorite season of the year? I have two. I have always loved the Fall...or Autumn. The days start to get shorter and the temperatures start to slowly drop from the hot days of summer. There is a crispness in the air. I love it! It means I will be making more soup, beef stew and chili to warm up our bellies and more snugging under the blanket with my better half.


Growing up on the east coast you have the opportunity to see all the beautiful colors the leaves turn. My favorite are the deep, dark red ones like in this photo.

Now we live in the Midwest and I don't get to see the red colored ones as often. It's mostly yellows and oranges I see out in the Midwest. Guess if I go further north, I might be able to see the reds I like. Hmm, may have to talk hubby into a day trip as it gets cooler.

My other favorite season is Summer! My husband and I grew up in Maryland and our families ALWAYS vacationed on the Eastern Shore every summer. Summer at the shore was always a must. Now his folks live there and we visit every other summer. We enjoy spending the day at the beach in the sand and water and finishing it off with either crab cakes, potatoes and corn or just getting a bushel and picking at the crabs eating them like as you see below. Sooooo goood! It may not look appetizing to you, but it sure tastes yummy.

As summer is winding down and our kiddos are heading back to school, take some time to smell the roses....er , uh, or the mums and enjoy the fall foliage around you.

Have a blessed day!

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ON THE JOB FRONT

I haven't any news to post on this. I have been filling out applications, but haven't heard from anyone yet.
It was weird to have to dig up all kinds of information to put on these applications. Some places want the last seven years worth of places you worked, others want like everywhere you have ever worked. Too funny! So, I had to hunt down names, addresses, etc. It started to make my head spin, but I did it.
Now, I am in wait and see mode.Pin It Now!

LIFE....

Well, it seems I have good intentions, but God has other things for me to do.

I wasn't able to get any quilting done last weekend. : ( My dear husband had volunteered our whole family to go help out with "Beaver Day" at the local Boy Scout Council. Basically a Beaver Day is a work day. Fixing things, painting, etc. We spent most of our morning there and then were too pooped to do much else afterward.

I am in the process of looking for a part time job. Our oldest will be graduating this year and it is important to us to be able to get through the college years debt free. NO LOANS! So, my already close to zero amount of time I would like to use sewing is dwindling down because I have other things taking a priority.

Once I get a handle on the job thing and get a routine down, I plan to post more often and once in a great while, you just may see a sewing or quilting creation or two.

Have a blessed day in whatever you do today!Pin It Now!

BABY QUILT ALONG

Amanda Jean over at crazymomquilts blog is having a baby quilt along this week. I have one pieced top I need to quilt and bind and another I need to start on. I plan to join her and get them done this week. I will post on how they came out on Saturday or Sunday. Planning on quilting tomorrow and Friday and part of Saturday.Pin It Now!

PATTERN SALE!

If you have a Hobby Lobby where you live and you have been wanting a pattern that has just been to expensive to buy, well, now is the day to buy it. All of their McCall's patterns are on sale for 99 cents! That's right, you read it correctly. I bought three patterns that I have been wanting for just $3.00. I plan to go back tomorrow to get two more. The sale is over on Saturday, August 23rd.

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IT'S OUT!

The new Amy Butler Little Stitches for Little Ones is out. You can click on the link below to read the first review that someone has left and take a peek inside the book. I checked out the table of contents and it sounds like the book is a keeper. I will be stopping by my Barnes and Noble today to check it out.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0811861287/?tag=soul01-20

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AN AWARD

A big shout out to Christina of Bumblebee and a big thank you for the Brilliant Weblog Award.

There are a lot of blogs out there that are so informative and creative. I have learned so many new things with respect to quilting and sewing, etc. by so many.

Here are just a few that I frequent just because these gals are so talented, sweet and always inspire me.

Christina of http://www.bumblebeebags.blogspot.com/ makes the most awesome bags. You will have to check out her blog to see her past creations. Most, if not all are her own design. Very talented gal. She also has a very quick wit. Love that.

Sue of http://berkshirecottage.blogspot.com/ is a sweetheart. She is always ready to share or help you out if you don't understand a pattern, etc. She also shares my love for homeschooling. You go girl! I would love to be able to sit on Christinas front porch and sip a cuppa cold iced tea with her and Christina!

Autum of http://www.creativelittledaisy.typepad.com/ is another sweet soul. She is one creative cookie. I have enjoyed learning how to do new things with respect to sewing and quilting. I fear the zipper no more because of Autum. She makes it all look so easy.

Nikki over at http://nikisventures.blogspot.com/ is another sweetie as well. She talks about all sorts of stuff on her blog. She always has links to cool freebies and she makes the most beautiful quilts.

Monica of http://thehomespunheart.blogspot.com/ I would like to say is like a good friend who I have never met. She is so transparent and real when she blogs. She blogs about every day mom stuff that we all go through or never talk about. She has a wonderful series that she does called "Clean Heart." Without never having had the opportunity to meet Monica, I think we would be wonderful friends. We both enjoy the simple pleasures of life, family and home.

Ruth and Jessica a mom and daughter blog over at http://sewchic.blogspot.com/2007/07/crocheted-edge-blanket-tutorial.html. They are lots of fun! They always talk about interesting things. Share their latest sewing endeavors and cute pics of the kids, etc.

Amanda Jean over at http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/ has a wonderful blog. She has done a couple of wonderful quilt alongs. I admire you for doing these. Taking step-by-step pics for each quilt block so all of us in blog land following along understand. She has shared some beautiful quilts she has made and has some wonderful tutorials as well.

So there you have it! My top 7 fave blogs out there. After I eat breakfast every morning, I check you all out and find out what is new for the day...what quilts you are working on, what bag or purse you have sewed, etc.....and I get INSPIRED!

Thank you all for blogging and sharing a little part of you with the rest of us in Blogland!

Hugs!

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THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR

I may not have a green thumb when it comes to keeping flowering plants alive, but apparently with the help of my dear husband I can grow vegetables!


Below you will see some of our green beans.
There is a story to that small harvest. We have been looking and waiting for green beans to show up and nothing. Well, the other day my husband pulled back the big leaves to find some green beans. Apparently we have been waiting for this to climb like a vine when in actuality, it is a green bean bush. So, this small harvest will go to hubby's lunch. I will probably saute them up with some garlic and butter and call it a day. Live and learn, eh?







Here is an aerial shot of the tomatoes. I want them to be ripe now so we can have some tomatoe sandwiches.


Here is a front view of one of our pepper plants Next up is a shot of our carrot tops and a view of the cucumber vines. Looks like there will be lotsa cucumbers too! Woohoo!

An older lady friend of mine at church remarried recently and she and her new husband have been downsizing...consolidating her things from her house to his. In the past she has had gardens and canned a lot. She doesn't do this anymore. She will be giving me all her canning equipment. She has jars, lids, rings, and the jar grabber thingie...lol, I am not sure of it's proper name. I just need to purchase the pot with the basket thing in it. I am so excited!

I have been reading up on canning and freezing from a book I checked out at the local library. Next year we will have to plant some strawberries and blueberries so we can make some freezer jam.

Enjoy your day in your little part of the world!

Cheryl

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Purse/Bag cuteness

I was surfing this morning and saw this cool video on Martha Stewarts website on this darling purse.

It's quite cute. Sue, this bag looks similiar to the ones you made. I can't remember if you referenced Martha's site or note. Anyhow, they have a free template online and you can watch the video of her actually putting it together on the show.

Next up in purse cuteness is this purse. Sorry for the not so great pic of it. I purchased it at a local dollar store for only....are you ready for this??? I only purchased it for $8.00 They had other styles and fabric ways at the same price and matching wallets for $4.00 I couldn't believe it, so naturally I had to buy one! Move over Vera Bradley. The purse is just as cute as hers and doesn't cost and arm and a leg.

I also have a pattern to make this style purse. Very easy.

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New Books ....

I would love to be able to purchase these new books that are out. You can never have too many idea and pattern books. This one is Amy Butler's new book that is not out yet, but you can get it at a pre order price from Amazon. I love making homemade baby gifts for new mom's to be and this would be a good book to have in my sewing library.

Here is another one that I would love to have in my library. It's yet another sweet baby pattern book as well. The author of this one is Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader

My birthday is coming up soon, so I may need to put a gift request in...haha!

Tomorrow hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can post pics and I will do a couple of book reviews for you.

Until then, happy sewing!

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