Shabby Blue Cottage

4th of July happenings

2010-06-28T11:21:00.004-04:00

Hi all, I have to get started on my blogging again. This year has gone by so fast hasn't it? With weddings, graduations, b'day parties, whew the summer is flying by. I want to tell you about our 4th of July in the hometown I grew up in. It's only a few miles from where I live now. It was the best day of the summer. My parents lived there till they died, so we went quite a few years. But, anyway, we always went to the big 4th of July parade, then to mom and dad's for donuts and coffee and chit chat. Then we would walk down to the city park that was only a block from my parents. They had a little carnival for the little ones and my boys loved it. They always had a talent show in the afternoon and a big craft show all day long. Oh, how I loved the craft show. There were many good finds. Of course there were the hot dog stands, lemonade stands and my favorite, cotton candy!!! Then we would have a cook out in the afternoon and go to the park again. Then visit some more and then the fireworks at 10 pm which we could see perfectly from my parents house. A lot of friends would come over and we would sit on blankets in the front yard. Now, I'm sad to say my parents are both gone and our kids are grown and moved away, but we still have the memories. Those were the good old days. I can't believe I'm saying that. Well have a great 4th and enjoy your time with family and friends. It's precious!!!!

2010-06-04T09:04:00.009-04:00

Things to catch up on

I have been very busy and a little lazy, so I have missed a few months. I was busy making a t-shirt quit for my cousin's son for his graduation. It encompassed a lot of my time. It is finally done and turned out pretty good. We have a a lot of travel week-ends for graduations, family reunions and commisioning of my nephew into the Air Force. We have had to power wash our deck and stain and get a new pool installed, we had our other one for 20 yrs. so I guess we got our use out of it. Other than the quilt, I haven't done much sewing. I will get back into it though. I hope these pictures come out OK.

I forgot to show you my quilt

2010-03-14T14:17:00.005-04:00

I forgot to show you the first step of my t-shirt quilt. It's really no big deal, but for me it's just a start to making more difficult quilts.

2010-03-14T14:02:00.005-04:00

A Potpouri of things

I know it's been a long time since I have posted a blog, no real excuses just lazy and worrying that I won't remember how to do it and just putting it off. We have been away, the last week in Feb. we went on a cruise to the Mexican Rivera. We first visited with my husband's mother who is almost 97. She is doing great. She walks 2 miles a day and volunteers at the hospital, and still drives!!! On our cruise we went on an excursion at Porta viarta, it was zip lining and rapelling. If I knew what it would entail, I don't think I would have been up to it. We ziplined 9 times and rapelled 2 times and rode a mule for about 20 minutes up the hill. It was something I NEVER thought I could do. Looking back it was kinda fun but scary too.

So, I'm also working on a t-shirt quilt for my cousin's sons graduation. I'm getting a little help from my neighbor who is an avid quilter. She is almost as good as Thimbleanna!!!! Here are a few pictures of what's been going on.

Making my first real quilt

2010-01-31T18:27:00.008-05:00

My sister with her grandaughter and my adopted grandaughter!!

A part of the family at Christmas

I know I haven't blogged in a while. We have had a hectic January so far. I think I'm done with my surgeries. My sister and brother-in-law went on a cruise a few weeks ago and they were scuba diving which they have done before. My bro-in-law blacked out in the water and they pulled him up and he wasn't breathing, so they started pounding on his chest. He has had 4 heart attacks and surgeries and had a pacemaker/defibrillator put in this past year. They transferred him to a "hospital" in Mexico, it had one bed and a paramedic, so they had to pay $20,000 then and there to air lift him to Ft. Lauderdale. There they did tests and said it wasn't a heart attack, it was some kind of respiratory problem. He had to stay there a few days , then they flew home and believe me when I picked them up, he looked half dead, just clutching his chest where they broke some ribs doing CPR. He was in terrible pain. Well, I don't know why I told you all this except this is the kind of thing I have been dealing with this year so far. I don't have pictures of my quilt but I will when I finish it. It's very simple, but hey you gotta start somewhere, and my kind neighbor Amy helped me out with the backing. After our cruise in February I will be getting in more sewing and quilting. Thanks for hanging out with me.

2010-01-03T19:20:00.003-05:00

The Craig Family at Christmas

Well, Christmas and New Year is behind us and we are beginning to return to "normal". We had 17 family over for Christmas dinner and, although it seemed like there were people everywhere, it was a great time to get (most of) our family together! This picture shows my husband's side of the family with ages from 7 (my dog) to 96 (my MIL)!

My MIL is very sharp and talks a LOT about her past. I just try to listen politely even though I've heard the same stories for over 30 years! Oh, well, she is a wonderful MIL.

I'm not really one for making resolutions but I would like to make some changes in my lifestyle. I need to make some health issues and need to work on those. And of course, the old "lose the weight" thing. We are going on a cruise the end of February and I would like to look and feel half way decent. I'm very excited about this. It's our second cruise and a duplicate of our first (which we enjoyed soooo much, we wanted to repeat).

I was looking at the Fat Quarter web site and ohhhh the goodies they have on there. It's getting me excited to start up my quilting again. They have some adorable fabric.

Hope you all have a great new year.

I'm Finally Back

2009-11-06T21:54:00.009-05:00

A day at the Cider Mill with my sis and bro - law Go State

One last Hurrah

Fall Dressings

One of the last days of summer

The ducks had a hay day in our pool

There has been alot going on since I last wrote. I had major surgery 9 weeks ago, and am recovering nicely except for the pain in my knee which I have to have surgery on Nov. 24th to clean out the arthritis and torn ligaments. I've also gone through the loss of a very good friend moving to Arizona, You may know her as Homespun Quilts. Yes, it's Susie. She has lived only one block over from me for over 20 years. She's going to be using that Bed and Breakfast for me many a time. I have worked on some small projects, but mostly just used the pool this summer with my sister. I absolutely love this weather we're having, cool and crisp and full of color. I love the fall and I took a few pictures to show you. I have really missed looking at blogs and seeing what everyone's doing. Let's get reacquainted shall we. Talk to you soon.

I'm getting around to it

2009-10-14T13:27:00.002-04:00

I know it's been a while. Well, just when I was going to post a new blog and show some new pictures, I forgot how to load the pictures on the computer. I can't believe it. I'm such a dork. I do have 2 quilts that have to be made soon, one is for Christmas and I have an apron to make for my sister. I took some pics of my yard with fall colors, but of course you can't see until my hubby helps me with them. I'll get them up ASAP. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

A big time out

2009-09-12T22:06:00.004-04:00

Boy, has it been a long time or what?? I have missed you all and really feel disconnected. I had major surgery a few weeks ago, and it's taken me a long time to recover. I had 3 hernias and a Lap band and my surgeon there was so much scar tissue it took 4 hours for the surgery. Oh man, have I ever been in pain. It's the pits. Right now I'm going through a bad time, depressed, crying and did I mention crying??? My husband saw the Dr. today and told him how I was feeling, and he said everybody goes thru this after such a traumatic surgery. It made me feel a little better. My husband and sister have been wonderful. I can't do anything, nothing. I have not even stepped foot in my sewing room. Then to top it off my best friend Susan of Homespun Quilts , who lives on street over is moving next month. I am really, really, really, really going to miss her. It was so nice to have her just one street over. I am very upset over this but I know she has to do what she has to do. I said , get my room ready cause I'm a comin.... Good luck Susie, I will miss you alot. I'll update you on my sewing and quiting plans. I do have plans at least. Miss you all.

I'm still alive

2009-07-28T21:20:00.003-04:00

Well, hello there....I have not given up blogging, it just seems that way. This summer has been very hectic, what with family problems and all. I haven't felt well and just today got the okay from my insurance company to have surgery to repair 3 hernias. Plus, 2 weeks ago, my computer died and I just got this one yesterday and my DH had to download my stuff for me, but there's a problem with this one, the mouse keeps disappearing, so I won't get to fond of this one. We're going on a short vacation in August with one of our twin sons who has some vacation time from work. Then my 96 year old MIL is coming from CA for a week. Then on Sept. 3rd I'll have my surgery. I guess it's a very painful surgery and I have to stay in hospital for two nights for pain management. I hate staying in the hospital. You can't sleep or anything. So, with that said I will probably see you after my surgery as I will be laid up for a while. I'm planning on doing some handwork while I rest. Hope you have a great rest of the summer. I miss talking with you. Tracey

Summer Projects

2009-07-11T06:11:00.004-04:00

Hope you had a happy 4th. Mine was kinda boring, but anyways, I have been working on some projects and decorating for the summer. (I know it's a little late), but summer hasn't really come yet in full force. I'm waiting... My DH and m son had a good time in Hong Kong. He said it was so hot and humid, they almost died. Our weather has been nice, sunny and a little cool. Really perfect. I had an EGD done and my ulcer is gone, but still have the hernias. I have surgery set for Sept. 15. I have to get all my insurance work done first. What a pain in the butt. You have to prove you are really sick!!!!! The only good thing is that I don't have to vacuum or scrub the tubs and can't lift anything. My poor DH is doing everything. working 55 hours a week, he umpires men's softball, takes care of the pool. Then he has to help me. But, believe me, we are so thankful he has a job. Just so we can save all our money for our retirement, he does the softball umping and we use that to go on our cruises and vacations. did I say my husband is a tight wad. Umm I mean careful and conservative. Not too bad though. We get what we want though. Well, have a great Saturday and don't work too hard...

Catching up on things

2009-07-04T09:57:00.003-04:00

I know it's been a while since I've written, but a lot has been going on. First of all, I want to say Happy 4th of July to everyone and hope you have some fun things planned for today. I went outside a few minutes ago to water my flowers and looked at my flag and said I should take a pic of that and of my geraniums and post a 4th of July blog. Then, duh, I remembered that my son took my husband to Hong Kong for Father's day. They will be home tomorrow night. He has the camera of course. He says it's hot hot hot and humid humid humid, and then he wrote, did I mention that it's hot and humid here!!!!!! I have been to Chicago and drove my sister down to FLA to live with one of her other daughters. Have had some tests done on my ulcer and 3 hernias and will probably have surgery sometime soon. Oh, it never ends. Since my DH has been gone, this is what I've done.OOOOOOOOO I can't really lift anything or push or pull anything heavy sooooooo I guess I can't do much. I'm still contemplating about what to do with those stars. I think I'm going to frame them, but have to come up with a good fabric background, white just doesn't do it. I'm also starting on some adorable tote bags from a book that's from Japan. Cute, cute , cute pictures. I'll put them on when done. There really easy,shmeasy as Anna would say. Well, I hope you all have a great 4th.

OH MY STARS

2009-06-24T06:18:00.007-04:00

I have been making these handmade quilted stars for a table topper. They turned out OK, and I laid them out like it said, then you just tack the edges of the stars together, but I'm just not happy with it. I haven't tacked them down yet. I wanted some advice as to something else I could do with the stars from all you talented people out there. It has been sooo hot here that I have been indoors doing very little, due to the fact of my hernia issued and ulcer. I'm going to get another EDG on Monday to see if the ulcer is cleared up , then I can have the hernia surgery. I'm not supposed to life, push, bend etc. so I'm able to do some sewing. I just want to get this taken care of. I'm sick of depending on my husband doing things for me. He gets home from work and then I have a list of things I need him to do. I feel so bad. One good thing I can do is lay on a raft in my pool. Yeah... My sister comes and joins me sometimes. Lest I digress, about the stars, do you think I should tack them together for a table topper or do you have another idea. Any suggestions would be welcome. Then I want to make my Christmas quilt I started last year. Then I found a beautiful pink and green quilt I would like to make after the Christmas one. I'm getting more excited about quilting even though it seems like a daunting task to me still. I just have to dive in and do it. Maybe , my BFF Susie from Homespun Quilts will get together with me to work. I seem to get a lot more done when we do it together. It's so fun and we get to talk. Thanks for you suggestions. It is greatly appreciated.

A great time

2009-06-14T04:11:00.013-04:00

I know I have been gone for a while, it's because I have been traveling 4 out of the last 5 weeks. I went to Chicago 3 times and Pittsburgh one week-end for a very, very fun and happy Family Reunion. I haven't seen some of my cousins in 40 years!!!! My Aunt Carrl is the only sibling left on my Mother's side and I wanted to see her so I organized a family reunion a few months ago. It was great, everyone got on board and we pulled it off. It was as if we just saw one another yesterday. Everyone was so kind and we met some new members of the family too. We had an auction, everyone bringing stuff from their area. We had Vermont syrup, pecans, U of Georgia sweatshirts, baseball caps, plates of homemade cookies. It was so fun bidding on things. We even made $200 for our next reunion in 2011. We played kickball, young and old and it was so fun. The youngest was 6 and the oldest was 60???? The cousin hearts I made for my girl cousins were a big hit. They are on an older blog. I went to the fabric store Friday and hope to get busy sewing again. I'm going to make a 4th of July table topper. I need to slow down a little since I found out I have 3 hernias and an ulcer. I'm on medication and feeling a little better. I will have to have surgery on the hernias sometime, I go back to the Dr. on July 8th. I hate waiting for so long to go back. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

Cousin gifts

2009-05-21T05:35:00.004-04:00

I haven't written in a while, my bad. I have just had such hecticness in my life lately. I had a test the other day and I have an ulcer and 3 hernias. I was wondering why I had stomach aches all the time. With medication they will take care of the ulcer. I will have to have surgery on the hernias. Great!!! I was in Chicago last week and my niece and her kids are coming today and we are leaving for a family reunion on Saturday and I'm the one who set up the family reunion so I have a lot of stuff to get together before we leave for PA. It's going to be hard to entertain, feed and get the things together I need to take. I got up at 3:30 this morning to get a head start on cleaning the house and do some ironing and maybe get some things together before my company comes at 10:30 this morning. Wonder why I have an ulcer. I can't believe I got the 15 hearts done for my female cousins. They turned out pretty cute. They were all by hand except for the patch I sewed on. I have still enjoyed reading your blogs although I haven't been active lately. Life sometimes gets in the way. Looking forward to a great relaxing week-end. Have a great holiday week-end.

It's Spring, bring the outdoors indoors too

2009-05-04T09:58:00.003-04:00

I'm back. I have had out of town company, and I love it. I enjoyed a week of my brother and SIL from NYC and we shopped and made some Easter cards. And of course, just girl talk. I'm already planning a trip for fall to see Mama Mia, if we can work our where I will stay. This week-end a missionary friend of ours for over 25 years came up from Indiana to go to a family shower on Sunday, but stayed with me Friday and Saturday night. Boy, did we talk..... We have a lot in common and she's a wonderful person. I made some cookies for her without milk, she can't have it. I found the recipe on-line and they were the best cookies. They were made with whole oats and were very healthy too. But as I was taking the plate of cookies back into the kitchen I didn't see dum dum (my dog) and tripped over him and the cookies went all over the floor and I caught my heel under the coffee table. That dumb dog!!!!! Don't they know to stay still when you are trying to walk OVER them?????? Well, I said , there go the cookies and she said oh just blow on them and they will be fine. She said she would eat them, she's a missionary. They were in the Philippines and she said they had to blow red ants off of stuff before they ate, so I kept them and they were all eaten, dog hair and all although I had just vacuumed and just had Bailey shaved. I found this little project in a magazine, do you know hard it is to find birch bark paper???? I looked everywhere and called everywhere and couldn't find it. Guess where I found it???? Ebay!!!!! People actually think about selling bark on Ebay. Isn't that amazing. I should go out in my yard and get some mulch or something and try to sell it on Ebay. How do these people think of these things?? Well, hope you all have a great day!!! Enjoy the sunshine.

I'm still here

2009-04-29T06:35:00.002-04:00

Hi fellow bloggers, I just wanted you to know that I'm still around. I have been very busy with Dr. appts. having company, going to Physical Therapy several times a week, but I have been a little sewing here and there, nothing big, and have been working on making some cards and scrap booking. I bought the most adorable sewing book yesterday and can't wait to make some things. I will show you as soon as I get some things done. So, don't forget about me. I'm still among the living......

A few things I forgot

2009-04-16T08:34:00.004-04:00

I forgot a few things I wanted to show you. First, my DS (dear sister Kerry) brought me this beautiful cupcake book from and recent trip at her daughter's house. Then, I wanted to show you my table with my new dishes and linens.

Changes, Busyness and Birthdays

2009-04-16T07:22:00.008-04:00

My very talented SIL's work

My new blue and brown linens and plated

My Goofy brother playing with Bailey (I don't think Bailey knew what to think)

My very generous SIL's hostess gifts

Ken with his Magnolia cupcakes

I can finally see the window in the den

Part of the new desk set

The wall where that ugly couch used to be. I know the walls are bare.

The rest of the desk set

The ugly couch

The window wall

I am soooo embarresed

Nasty, nasty, nasty

That's it, you've seen the worst room in my whole house

I know I haven't been on in a while, I have been very busy for the last month. For a couple of weeks we were spring cleaning. We re-modeled the den and my brother and sister-in-law came to visit from NYC for a week. It helps to have company come because it makes you get things done. We had a very good time together with our company and my sister, Kerry who lives a short ways from me. We crafted, she's heavy into paper and card making, so we did that, (after a visit to Joanne's). A lot of laughing got done and not a whole lot of card making although I made 3 Easter cards. We had several shopping days with sister and niece and of course lunch. I love Marshall's and Target. I found a lot of stuff there. While they were here, my brother had his 64th birthday. Of course we had a party and fun was had by all. My brother acts like a kid anyway, believe it or not, even at 64. As for the re-model, we had the room painted, carpeted and threw out all the furniture in there. Some was recycled to my son. Oh, and by the way, in the middle of all this, my sewing machine light bulb went out and my machine wouldn't work, and I had to order the bulb on-line. Joanne's didn't make it.....Said it was too old. Do people throw out their sewing machines every few years!!!!! I doubt it.... So I have some before and after pictures of the re-model which I will show you today. It was a huge transformation. I am embarrassed at how it looked before, ( it is not indicative of how the rest of my house looks). I just didn't know where to start in the den, and it's my DH so if I moved anything, he would be lost. We still have some pictures to put up, so it's kinda bare. He wants to put up some big framed posters of Norman Rockwell. I got a 1/2 of a shelf for my "girl" books. He informed me I would have to share the shelf with some "boy" books. I do have books everywhere else in the house so it was nice of him to share his book shelf. I will start sewing now that I have my light bulb...Enjoy these pictures....

Things are coming up green, orange and white...

2009-04-02T18:43:00.004-04:00

I have been really busy with a thing called LIFE. We are re-modeling the den and it's been a great big job. We've been to IKEA, and I almost had a nervous breakdown. Those of you who have been know what I'm talking about. And we went on a Saturday. I will have some before and after pictures soon. It is a MAJOR change, I can't believe it. But what I'm posting about today is about carrots with orange and green and Michigan State University, who I might add are in the Final Four. We are avid fans, my son went there and a few of my cousins. Plus I'm putting together a family reunion for over Memorial Day week-end, and it's not even here in Mich. It's in PA where most of my cousins live. We have had two prior family reunions, put together by yours truly and at my house no less. They are so much fun it's worth the work. If anyone has any suggestions that you have used in your reunions, I'm ready for suggestions. I've looked up on line and found a few things but nothing earth shattering. I'm also going to Physical Therapy for my knee. OMG, I was on my stomach and he bent my foot to touch my butt!!!! Well, my legs don't go that far, I don't have sticks for legs. Well, he MADE my leg go that far. As he pushed harder I was like, ouch, ouch, ouch, then I said I hate you... I had heard an old lady yelling at him one time saying that, I didn't yell, but he started cracking up. Tonight my calves are killing me!!! No pain, no gain I guess. Plus he keeps me there for 3 hours... And he does every trick and plan he can. I know it's for my own good but , pleease, give me a break. So here's a few pictures of what I've been busy with. The before and after room will come shortly. It got up to 62 today. Yeah.....

Little Tiny Projects

2009-03-20T12:51:00.008-04:00

A little letter to Taxi

My bookmarks, lousy picture

Well, you probably wonder if I'm ever going to blog again after my cruise. Well, here I am, ever since we got home it's been go, go, go. The first week home I had an appt. everyday except one. Why did I do that?? I was still tired and had a bunch of stuff to do at home... Did I think I was going to come home and just be wonderwoman and have a bunch of energy??? Crazy, I got a real bad cold. Started PT on my knee (I HATE going to PT) , it takes too much time out of my day. Then I had minor surgery on the back of my head. A lypoma. It's the second one I've had taken out. Does anyone else get those?? The Dr. said a lot of people get them in various places on their bodies. My sister just had one on her arm removed. Whatever.....I finally read up and tried my hand at sew punching or whatever it's called. I think it looks adorable, when someone else does it. My loops were all different sizes and the thread kept coming back out through the hole. I tried again several times, before putting it in a pile and setting it aside. I'll try again later. And finally my DH said we could remodel our den (his office), because it is the pits. I mean for real. There are 3 different desks-entertainment unit and an old couch in there and it's a small room. I got someone to fix a part of the dry wall that was bad, got someone to paint the room, the carpet guy is coming tonight to show us samples, and last night I bought an 8 piece office unit and it's perfect for that room. Tomorrow we are going to IKEA to look for 2 chairs for in there and getting a little flat screened TV. I am so excited. But, anyway, lest I digress, I got in my mind this am to make some bookmarks, I had seen some cute ribbon last night at Joannes and I love love ribbon so I got some and had a go. Also, I found a real cute rubber stamp for my nephew-feline Taxi, who lives in NYC. His mother has a million rubber stamps and stickers and is a genius at card making, scrapbooking etc. But she has neglected her one and only child the joy of crafting with her. For shame.....You can't spend a little time with your only child and buy him a $4.oo stamp. So I got a little card together to send to him this pm at the Post Office. I hope he enjoys himself and he doesn't have many toys or anything and he can't go outside when you live on Madison Ave!!!!Well, I gotta run and get some things tied up before I go to the paint store and get some samples to show the DH tonight.. Ta Ta

Cruising Along

2009-03-09T00:00:00.014-04:00

Sunset on the final day

Us at dinner our final night

Our cruise ship before boarding

Bill in Porta Villarta

Funny huh....

Me and my DH

Bill and his 96 yr old mom we visited before our cruise

WOW, We just got back this morning from our first ever cruise, for our 32nd anniversary. It was supposed to be for our 25th, but I don't remember what happened. Anyway, I would recommend a cruise to anyone even thinking about a vacation. It was sooo relaxing, just laying by the pool, sunning for sitting in the shade reading a book and snoozing. I would find myself snoozing all of a sudden in the lounge chair. So was everyone else. You could just feel the stress just leave your body. And food!!!!!! Don't even get me started. I really did try to control myself to a degree. Every meal had a ton of FRESH fruit and i ate gobs of that, and big salad bar and all kinds of toppings. You really could eat quite well if you wished. The desserts were delectable. My favorite was the blackberry cheesecake. They had a couple of times. Just as we were getting on the boat, there was a table selling thermal cups to keep things hot or cold. You could buy one for $20.00 and have all the free soda you wanted for a week. That was well worth it. We used it a lot. I feel so energized to get going on something, and I think it is going to be our den. I will take pictures as I go. We are totally re-doing it. It's a pit and I hate it. There's a little wall protruding out about 2 feet where we were going to put bookshelves in and never did so I'm going to tear that down , have Bill put in dry wall and tape and sand, then have a gal come in and take the wallpaper off and paint the whole room. Then get new carpet. I still have to decide on a color. It needs to be mostly manly, It is Bill's den, Any suggestions. He does play golf so I was sorta thinking about that, I don't know. Then we will get new furniture in there and toss the crap that's in there. Anyway, I excited to get started on something. I want to make the bunny BOM from Bunny Tales. I just love bunnies. Anyway, here are some pictures of our cruise. It's good to be back to the land of the living, I hope people still visit my blog. Hugs, Tracey

A Little Something Something

2009-02-22T19:46:00.008-05:00

This is a little camera bag I made yesterday from a cloth napkin I got for .99. I'll clip it on my purse so it's always handy.

OK I'm done talking about my birthday. I haven't been on in a while, I have been quite busy, we are leaving on a cruise this wed. We are going to visit my MIL in CA, then drive to our port in LA. Of course I had to get new clothes for the trip, and now I have too many. You have to take dresses and shoes and everything, that's a lot of stuff. But, to be in 85 degree weather I'll put up with the packing. We are going on the Mexican Rivera. It's our first cruise and we're really excited. I had to get a babysitter for our baby, Bailey. I know he will miss me real bad, but my son will take good care of him. I have a lot of plans on the back burner and hope to get cracking when I get home. I've missed talking to you guys. See you when I get home. I'll put some pics up for sure. Have a happy week. I'll be thinking of you........

Sorry, it's still about my birthday

2009-02-12T10:16:00.012-05:00

This is the bunny my son gave me, isn't it adorable

The adorable birthday card with candies

The book is about how the Queen was talking to one of her stable men and he told her of his love of reading and from then on she started reading books for pleasure

Of course, the cupcake pincushion

This adorable bunny pic, she made herself with the help of a card, just adorable

My birthday stash, isn't it wonderful. Thanks Paula

I'm so sorry to put you through another of my birthday posts, but I promise this will be the last one. I got a package in the mail yesterday and when I opened it there was some darling tissue paper with little colored life savers scattered about. How cute. There were 6 presents in there all wrapped and ribboned with stickers, just adorable and a few greeting cards. Well, I have a SIL who lives in NYC and she is so talented with paper, cards etc. She owned a little gift shop when they lived in DC and she did the buying for the shop. She is very, very creative. She can wrap a gift like no one else. Well, I just had to show you the pics of what she sent me. Mind you, all of the things she got me I love . Cupcakes, the Queen, etc. So here they are. I wish I would have taken a pic before I opened everything, but who could wait. I tore into that box like it was Christmas. Please look and I promise (maybe) there will be no more birthday posts.

My birthday pictures

2009-02-09T06:35:00.003-05:00

I don't know why my computer wouldn't allow me to write under my pictures, so I have to explain. First my sis and BIL came right after church, my son Tim came and my DH. God love him, but he can't take a good picture. I got some bath & body goodies from my sister, an adorable rocking bunny from my son. Adorable!!!! He knows his mom. And the Tiffany bracelet from my DH. And can you believe that cute baby was me 53 years ago. I really don't have a lot of pictures of me as a baby. I guess by the time you get the 3rd child, you don't take that many pictures. My sister in the pic. is 4 yrs. younger than me. Anyway, that's my birthday. I don't know what today holds, but if something exciting happens I'll let you know. I know, I'm running this birthday thing into the ground, but I still get excited when it's my birthday. What a kid. Have a great day on me......

A Very Big Day

2009-02-09T06:01:00.011-05:00

Well, today is the big day. Its my birthday. February 9, 1956. A long time ago. I don't feel any different. I think once you pass the 40 mark, it's no big deal. I have a picture of my dad on his 50th birthday. I'll never forget it. I thought he was older than dirt, and he looks so young. I never thought I would be 50!!! It would be forever. HA! Time has a way of catching up to you. My mother said I was a very good baby and didn't cause much fuss. My mother was sick all of my life and my big brother (11 yrs. older, and my sister 6 yrs older) took care of me alot. My mom was in bed most of the time. She had chronic depression. It was a nasty childhood, and my dad drank and traveled alot. Well, today I don't want to think about those things. I just want to celebrate my life and all the things the Lord has blessed me with. I had a pathetic little party last night. My sister and BIL was here and one of my sons, and my husband. He got the best cupcakes in our area at a local bakery in downtown Rochester. Ummmm.. they were excellent. I hope I have a better than I started out with. I spilled a whole cappucino on my end table and it splashed all over my chair all in my magazine rack and all over the carpet. I will have to get the upholstery cleaner out and clean it real good. I just don't feel like doing it at 5:30 am..... Hope you all have a great day.

Happy Birthday to me

2009-02-08T07:26:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday I'm afraid I have to toot my own horn. Tomorrow is my birthday. I am just like a kid on my birthday, can't wait for presents, can't wait for cake. The same with Christmas. I just can't wait. I know at 53 I should have some restraint, but I can't still. I'm having my party tonight with my family and I told my husband I wanted these certain cupcakes from a local bakery. They are absolutely wonderful. We had them for my nieces wedding and I still can't forget them. They are as close to Magnolia cupcakes as they come... although I had a great cupcake in NYC at a place called Crumbs. They were pretty darn good. I will have some pictures for you tomorrow. My husband already gave me my present, this time HE couldn't wait to give it to me, so he gave it to me early. I will show you tomorrow. I'm kind of a Valentine baby, because that's the day my mother and dad brought me home from the hospital. My sister was 6 years older than me, and my mother laid me on the couch and waited for my sister to come home from school so she could take my little sweater and hat off of me. How sweet... Stay tuned for the party pictures tomorrow..... I'm even working on a cupcake table cover... I just love cupcakes...

Happy Hearts

2009-01-31T20:43:00.005-05:00

It's time I started doing some Valentine crafts. I've been a little slow getting going on my bigger projects. It seems like since Christmas I have been very busy. I do have something to do almost every day. I'm doing a Beth Moore bible study, Esther, and it takes a lot of homework and time, but I love it. I'm trying to swim 3x a week and exercising more, but it all takes time. So, I thought I would just try to work on some smaller projects. I had a good time in Chicago, visiting my son and niece and family. It was sooo cold there but I was prepared for the weather since we walk mostly everywhere in the city. I went to Barnes and Noble and looked at magazines and craft magazines. Very relaxing. I love to go there. My nieces house is another story. She has 3 kids, an 18 yr old, 14 yr old, and 6 yr old. My sister and brother in law live with them also. It was quite hectic , but it is always fun and something is always going on. When they picked me up at the train, Caleb, the 5 yr old, the first thing he said was Aunt Tracey, how come your hair is all white???? Out of the mouths of babes. I think I am going to have it highlighted and low lighted soon. We are going on a cruise in a couple of weeks, so I'm trying to get my clothes and stuff ready. I have bought quite a few things. We are going to the Mexican Rivera. I can't wait to lay in the sun and relax and wear flip-flops. We have to decide what things we want to do on the different ports. I want to go horseback riding, and swim with the dolphins. I don't know what else we'll do yet. Feb. 9th is my birthday, and usually my celebration lasts all month, just ask my friends. My big party with my girls is Feb. 12, and Susan of Homespun Quilts is planning my big night. Maybe we'll take some pictures. Well, I have to run and get ready for bed, I'm really tired tonight. I hope you enjoy my little Valentine craft.

Where is Tracey

2009-01-22T11:21:00.003-05:00

I am in Chicago Ill right now. I flew in on Monday and spent Mon and Tues at my son's apartment. He lives in downtown Chicago.It was very very cold and my 180's came in really handy, since you have to walk everywhere. On Tuesday morning I walked to Barnes and Noble to look at the new quilting magazines. I ended up getting two. One had cupcakes all over the cover. That caught my eye immediately... I had to be sure to be back by 10 to see the inauguration. It is history in the making and I like to see that stuff. It's amazing to me that they use a bible, open with prayer, close in prayer and when Sen. Kennedy fell ill, they said all the tables surrounding him bowed their heads in prayer!!!! It blows my mind that they want to take In God we Trust off of our money. Don't allow kids to prayer for their lunch!!! What's going on between church and state. Even in the government they pray out loud etc etc. Then who is it that wants to stop all this prayer and change the money and everything. The President even spoke in his speech a little about religions and God. Who the heck to they think these people are praying to????? I was going to say, don't get me started, but it's too late. Anyway, when I was at Trev's we went to a cupcake place called MORE. We each got a cupcake to take home and they are nothing like Magnolias. No comparison. Then I stepped on my glasses and broke them to smithereens. I had to find a Pearle Vision and it was only a half mile from Trev's , I went there and they said there's nothing they can do except try some crazy glue, which she was nervous to do because she might get some on the lens. Well , she tried it on the frame first and then was going to put the lens in. It didn't work at all. So I start walking back to Trev's blind again, and stopped at CVS and bought some tape and taped the crap out of them. I got the lens to stay in but talk about looking like a nerd!!!!! I called my husband and he overnighted my glasses last night and I got them at 9:30 this morning. Boy and I glad. When I get home I'll send a pic of my glasses, you won't believe what they looked like. I had to go on the train and everything with them like that. I'm now at my nieces in the suburbs and it's more like my kind of living, but I do like to go to the city too, for a while. Anyway, just checking in. Hope you all have a great day. Hugs, Tracey

My own thingy Friday

2009-01-16T19:22:00.012-05:00

This little wooden set is about 45 years old

This glass cookie jar was one of my parents wedding gifts in 1943, I think it was from Germany

Talking about vintage, this is my 95 year old MIL, born 1913 in Buffalo, NY

This is my book my big brother gave me and Bailey decided to chew a little on the corner and on some old pictures

This is the culprit, I guess he could have a blog of vintage things since that what he likes to chew on and wreck, but isn't he soo cute though!!!!

I'm not as organized as a lot of you gals. Everyday is something thingy or another, but I always miss them, so I'm just going to show my thingys on the day I can do it. After Susie's post about her apple cookie jar, I thought, hey, I have a vintage cookie jar from my parents wedding. I took some pics but they didn't turn out very good. I also found a little wooden apple with a little tea set in it that my dad bought me when I had the mumps. I played with that little thing time and time again. I think I used a crayon and colored in the little teacup. I was a bad girl. I also have some bad news about my pretty puppy Bailey. Yes, he's in the news again. My husband got a box of old, old pictures of his family from way back, and Bailey helped himself to chewing on some of the old pictures, and he chewed a corned of an old book my brother gave me for my birthday in 1992. I don't know what it is with him, he likes vintage stuff. Why can't he just chew up the newspaper or one of his toys or something. He has had at least 3 time outs this week. Well, anyway I have a montage of things to show you. I hope you enjoy them. And I have to say I did copy Susan of Homespun Quilts with the cookie jar. Susie, you just have the best ideas.

Love is in the air

2009-01-09T06:54:00.012-05:00

This is the picture of the card I'm sending out this year!!!!

It's that time of year again. Valentines Day, I used to get soooo excited, I remember sitting at the kitchen table and writing my name on the backs of those little cards and put them in the enveloped and lick ( if there was anything to lick) and put a kids name on the front. We had a list of all the kids in the class. Then in school we would make a valentine for our parents, then the big day came and we would tape a handmade envelope to the back of our desks and kids would go around and put them in your envelope. It was so exciting. Opening each one and looking on the back to see who it was from. Back then, they didn't have the special cartoon ones they have now, like Strawberry Shortcake or Batman, they were just valentine cards. I wish I would have saved some of those. They would be antiques by now!!! One year there was a boy I liked and he asked me to meet him on a certain corner after school. I didn't know what to expect, but he had a little cowboy boot from Avon with cologne in it!!!! I thought it was so cute. I wonder if his mother knew what he did. That was my first boyfriend. I still like to send out cards to my family. Hope you have a lovely Valentines Day.`

A New Year and some Misc. pictures

2009-01-03T10:35:00.022-05:00

Bailey's new cousin came up to visit, Bailey thought it was a toy

I made some peppermint soap, it smelled really good

My big baby, Bailey

Of course, Magnolia cupcakes

My son Tim, having a wonderful time!!!!

My youngest son Trev, home from Chicago

Grandma D 95 yrs. old

Well, the new year is under way and I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday. Ours is officially ending today with the departure of my 95 yr. old MIL. She is flying home to CA. What a roller coaster we have been on. Kids coming and going, my MIL was sick quite a bit of the time, my DH had to take her to Urgent Care, and you don't even want to know why!!!!! I am glad she is better and able to fly home today. She is a great MIL reallly, but you know after 2 weeks of her telling you the same stories for over 30 years, and she can't hear a lick, you have to practically yell and she still can't hear you. It's frustrating. At least my DH has been home for the last 2 weeks. My son came home from Chicago and we had a good time. He is now in Dubai for a week before going back to work. Must be nice.... The only baking I did this year was some Magnolia cupcakes, what with my knee surgery and all. I'm not really one to make new years resolutions, but I do have some things I want to work on. Of course, there's always the lose the weight resolution, but I also want to get healthy, exercise and of course do more quilting. I saw some adorable fabric on Fat Quarters site. It got me so excited to start quilting again. I do have to put together the top of my Christmas quilt first, and finish my sons fleece blanket I promised him. My SIL that I gave the black and white purse wants some moderation's made, so I want to get that back to her. I made my sister one of my bags, the Dick and Jane bag, and her DIL who is a wonderful seamstress, she makes wedding dresses, anything you can think of. Well, she spotted my bag under my sister's tree, and said OHH where did you get that bag. My sister said that I had made it, and her DIL was just floored how cute it was. Coming from her that is a real compliment, it made me feel good. Well, here are a few pictures I want to share with you. Looking forward to another year getting to know my blog friends better and making some new ones. Happy New Year.

Happy New Year

2008-12-27T14:49:00.008-05:00

I can't believe it's coming up on a New Year. It's a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. It's time to take down all the Christmas decorations and put them up for another year. I love Christmas and all the decorations and I hate taking them down, but my fresh greens are all dry and brittle. It's a messy job, so I want to get it done. My son has left this morning to go back to Chicago. It was fun having him home, and I hated to see him go. He is going to Dubai on monday for several days. I guess it's beautiful there and a country rich in oil and money. Their hotels are like palaces. My mother-in-law is here from CA till Jan. 3rd. She's 95 and I notice a real decline since she was here in July. I don't want to take her out too much, because I'm afraid she'll fall. My husband has her and I hooked on the TV show "Prison Break". We started with series 1 from Netflix and are working our way up to today. I didn't like it at first, but then you get hooked on it. We're watching it right now, as I write. Just wanted to blog and get caught up on things, I really enjoy seeing how everyone's holidays are going. Have a great New Year.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-23T07:17:00.003-05:00

Haved a Very Merry Christmas

2008-12-23T07:03:00.004-05:00

My dear blogging friends, I will be taking a little time off for the Holidays. Things are getting a little busy around here. I can't do alot because of my knee surgery I had last Thursday. My mother-in-law came in yesterday from CA for 2 weeks..... That means meals, dishes, shopping etc. My son is coming home from Chicago. Plus, my blogging needs a little (lot) of tweaking. I don't know why I have such a difficult time putting a post together. I guess it just takes practice. I will forge on though. I hope you and your family have a blessed Merry Christmas. Hugs, Tracey

2008-12-23T07:03:00.000-05:00

More of my NYC trip

2008-12-22T08:48:00.006-05:00

I have a few more pics and stories from my trip to NYC. My bro and sil live there in Manhattan. And we walked everywhere, except for a bus ride of taxi once in a while. My legs were ready to fall off. A few places really stuck out in my mind, that I would like to share with you. In my last post I told you about Dylan's Candy Bar. We also went to a restaurant called Serendipity. The food was quite expensive, but they have the world famous frozen hot chocolate. When we got there, there was a 3 hour wait. We walked around and shopped and then went back. The hot chocolate was wonderful. Worth the experience, even though at $8.50 a pop. Also, we went to Fisher's Eddie. It was a wonderful store. It was loaded to the ceiling with stuff. Mostly kitchen and bakery ware, but tons of other things. I got a four piece setting of pink dishes to intermingle with my white dishes. The dinner plates were regularly $11.00 for 2.50 and so on. I had them shipped to my home, even though the shipping cost as much as the dishes. But I love them. I found many more little things there for gifts etc. We went to Bryant Park, and they were having a craft show. I don't know how they could stand it, it was freezing..... Didn't buy anything, didn't even want to look. Went to a little hole in the wall restaurant where they had $15.00 hot dogs, yes hot dogs.... We did eat out because of what my sil says she can't cook in her easy bake kitchen. It is very small, but cute. Their whole place was cute, though small. They have a Murphy bed and I slept on a sofa sleeper. When my bed was out and theirs down, we almost touched toes. That's how wide the room is. Even though it's small, Paula has every inch organized and very cutely decorated. She used to own a store that sold small gifts and they made gift baskets. It was a thriving business, but they moved from Wash. D.C. to NYC. Anyhoo, here are some more pics.

My NYC trip

2008-12-19T20:13:00.014-05:00

Here I am on the second floor of Dylans

This is Marcella, she helped us pick stuff out. Really helpful and friendly

The ceiling was made of LARGE lollipops. It was beautiful.

A view from outside of Dylans

Last thursday I made my way to the Big Apple!!!! My bro and sil live on Madison Ave. in Manhattan. They knew all the good places to go and boy did we ever walk!!!! I'm going to do my best to coordinate my pics with my postings. We did go to Dylan's Candy Bar. What a place. Here are some pics. I hope they come up.

Question and Answer Time

2008-12-17T15:40:00.003-05:00

OK, this is a small post. I'm just going to try a little one after my disastrous one the last time, when my DH had to take over. I just got back from NYC visiting my bro and sil. It was a marvelous time. We walked our butts off. (I wish) I got to see a lot, the store fronts were amazing, one store , I think Bloomingdale's had all their windows with vintage characters, I took a pic of every one. And I will post a blog about my NY trip shortly. Please PRAY for me as I do this. You think I'm kidding, I'm not!!!!!!! However, I have a question that I have asked many bloggers and no one has answered me. You know the cute little pictures people put on their side bar or a big one on their blog of a vintage picture of Santa, kids, etc. or bunnies, babies, balloons, you know what I mean. WHERE the heck do you get those?????? I have tried numerous times to put Vintage Postcards etc in the line and I get nothing!!!!! Someone please help me find these cute little pictures.

Beautiful lights in downtown Rochester

2008-12-06T21:16:00.046-05:00

So Many Lights !

Rochester lines the buildings down Main Street with hundreds and hundreds of vertical strings of neon Christmas lights and lights them between 6pm and 11pm each night during the Christmas season. Cars will be lined up for a mile coming down from the south end of town to inch through the downtown to see the lights. Seeing the lights lined up on both sides of the street for a half dozen blocks is pretty amazing and puts everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Cristina's in Rochester

And then onto Cristina's ... the craft store in downtown Rochester that I like to go to ..... It is one of Susan's and my favorite haunts. On an earlier post Susan showed pictures of the inside of Christina's and all the beautiful fabric she has. She was also a very friendly and kind person.

50s Style Restaurant -

Red Knapps

This little place has been in downtown for many, many years. It is a soda fountain where you sit on the little stools. They have the BEST malts and milkshakes and hamburgers in the world. Every time someone comes to visit me they want to go to Red Knapps. I have to say it is rather expensive though. But it is a fun place to visit once in a while. The decor and atmosphere of the place makes you feel like you are back in the 1950s with Ricky Nelson, Donna Reed and Father Knows Best ... sock hops and pedal pushers. It's nice to have the escape back to olden times when life was so much simpler and our big worries were about our complexion and who liked who. Life is so much more complex these days .... Red Knapps is a nice escape.

Looks like Santa and his reindeer are practicing their Christmas Eve routine on the rooftop of downtown Rochester storefronts along Main Street.

This is looking down Main Street to give you a better view of how all the buildings are lighted. Tomorrow there will be a parade along this Main Street. I won't be there though, it is bitter cold out here.

As I was waiting for my DH to pick me up from my picture taking I was standing by this building and it said you could come in and see Santa Claus. I think it was closed but I thought all the trees looked so pretty, I couldn't help myself from taking the picture.

And, finally, I saw this car parked along Main Street. Some of you may know what this is ... I don't, but it sure is small and funny looking! I don't suppose it is good for a family! .... but probably pretty good on gas mileage!

Well, that's all I have for now, if you only knew how long it took me and my DH to put this post together ( about 3 hours), you'd know why I'm giving up. I will never get this stuff. He's an IT guy , but he doesn't do blogging so he has to figure it all out too, but he CAN figure it out I CAN'T figure it out. I'm thinking of giving up my blog unless some miracle happens and I finally get it!!!! I'm going to bed now, maybe I'll feel better about it in the morning.... Good Night

(Note from DH: After Tracey went to bed, I got into her blog and tried my best to clean it up for her as a surprise for her when she looks at it in the morning. I must admit, with over 30 years in IT (computer nerd), posting a blog with pictures and text can be tricky! As careful as I could be, I had trouble making the blog look right (and not sure I succeeded, but as close as I could .... I want to go to bed too!). I had to load/reload pictures too after accidently deleting them in my cleanup process. Sometimes one backspace or delete would do something entirely confounding. Pictures loaded on the right (and text consequently on the left) would appear totally different in the actually published blog. Hang in there Tracey, you are doing great ..... and I love you for your effort and persistence! Love and good night ... DH)

I've been busy

2008-12-05T17:40:00.006-05:00

I have been MIA for a while. We had a great Thanksgiving here at my house with my sister and her family and two of my sons. My youngest son was supposed to go to Dubai for the week, and had all the plans in place with a friend, and the friend decided to wait till the day before they were supposed to leave to look for his passport. He couldn't find it, anywhere.....Good thing they didn't really lose any money, my son works for United and gets the tickets free and the friend works for the Hyatt and had a $2700 room reserved for a minimal fee. Since then, I have been sewing sewing sewing!!!!! We were supposed to go to Chicago for this week-end and visit with my son, that works at United and he has to work this week-end. It turns out for the best, because I have been very stressed out this past week. In fact, yesterday as I was doing my volunteering at our local hospital in ER, I got real sweaty, and light headed so I just sat down in a chair in the hall and a nurse looked at me and said are you alright?? I said I'm just a little shaky, but I'm fine. Well, she wouldn't take that, she ran and got a blood pressure machine, and pricked my fingure to see my blood sugar. All that was OK, and she said you need an EKG. I said I think I'm fine and she wouldn't even let me walk to a bay, they went and got a wheel chair and took me to a bay, I guess my EKG was OK cause they put me in the waiting room to see a Dr. I sat there for a while and got some little jokes about sitting down on the job.....LOL It is a very big hospital, and they were slammed. I knew it would be hours before I saw a Dr. and I felt better so I told the nurse I thought I could go home. She said you really shouldn't drive, blah, blah, blah. I knew the week I had had and knew it was probably anxiety, and told her I was OK. So I left and made a stop at Bath & Body Works to do a little Christmas shopping. Oh, if she knew that she would have had a stroke. She was very sweet though and was very concerned about me. I will try and finish my sewing this week-end, then clean the bedrooms for my Christmas company because next thursday I have knee surgery. A torn miniscus, but I will have to be off my feet. That's the 18th and then the 22nd my 95 yr. old MIL comes for 2 weeks. Then Christmas is here. Anyone else out there busy?????? I have some good pics of Thanksgiving, but they are on our new camera, and I don't know how to work this one and my husband works about 50 - 60 hours a week, so I usually have to wait for the week-ends. I can't wait to show you what I have been working on for Christmas. I can't show you just yet, but I think they turned out good for a novice. I also have all the blocks made for a Christmas Quilt. But, my friend Susan said don't worry, you don't have to have it done for this year. I thought, yeah, don't put so much pressure on yourself. Oh, and this coming thursday, the 11th, I'm flying to NYC to visit my bro. and sil. They live on Madison Ave. right across from Lord and Taylor. We are going to see Mary Poppins one night and she said she has a big list of things for us to do. I know there are a million places to go. I just hope I can keep up with her!!!!! They walk everywhere. I don't. I TAKE a walk......but I don't walk to the store and everything. I'm taking my good walking shoes. (Uhhhh, that sounds like something my mother would say!!!!) Then I get home on the 15th and have my surgery on the 18th, etc etc etc. Right now I'm taking a break from sewing and my DH just called and asked if I minded if he went out with some guys from work for dinner, I said no problem, I didn't have anything planned anyway!!!! So, that's whats been going on. Have a great relaxing week-end.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T10:11:00.004-05:00

I want to wish all my blog friends a very, very Happy Thanksgiving. I know it's a busy time, but just take a few minutes and thank God for all the blessings in your life. Enjoy being with family and friends and remember to always put others before yourself. You will be blessed by that. And remember on Friday to CHARGE to the nearest shopping mall. God Bless you all.

See Dick Run, See Sally Run, Hear Tracey yell at sewing machine

2008-11-23T06:52:00.007-05:00

I love the Dick and Jane fabric

I am working of a few Christmas projects. This Dick and Jane fabric is one of them, I can't say right now but it is going to be cute. My machine was acting up again. It was gathering up on me again and again I played with the stich setter and I finally got it to work alright.I'm making 2 so I wonder who they are for.... Only Santa knows that...... Also, Dick and Jane and Spot were not hurt during this project, just maybe a few amputations here and there!!!!!!!!

On another note, yesterday my husband and I drove to Detroit to take Thanksgiving baskets to people in Detroit with our church. When we got to the mission to collect the baskets, the guy told us the Meijer truck didn't make it yet with the food and it would be an hour and a half before they would get there. Turns out the driver had an accident with the fork lift and broke both of his legs. He said if we didn't have time to wait we could get 3 turkeys and deliver them. The had those at the mission. I asked him if we didn't stay would they have enough people, he laughed and said they had way, way too many people. So we said we would just do the turkeys. Last year our church gave out 2,000 baskets and this year 3,000 baskets!! That's wonderful. So we took the turkeys, (they only gave us 2) and they gave us the address, it turns out they were both on one street just across from each other. We had to giggle because there were three other cars from our church, passing out their two turkeys right next door to each other. I think they just didn't want to tell anyone they weren't needed so they spread the wealth, so to speak. When there is a call out for some help, I have to say our church responds with enthusiasm. That really warms my heart. This year I' m so thankful for my Lord, my husband, my children, our health, my husbands job, our beautiful home, heat and food, my extended family, we are truly blessed. After that we went to the Red Cross and gave blood. By the time we got home we were both wiped and fell asleep in our chairs. After that, I started sewing. Oh and on Friday night we went downtown to see the Rockettes with my sister and BIL, It was totally awesome, it's the 3rd time I've seen it. I think it's the best show I've ever seen. I just loved it. Puts you in the Christmas Spirit. Have a happy Thanksgiving and remember all the blessings you have.

I'm gonna go traveling

2008-11-18T12:27:00.004-05:00

I'm not even going to try and post pictures today, after my melt down yesterday. But, I am a very lucky girl. The first week-end I'm going to Chicago to see my son and go see all the stores decorated and all the Christmas lights. He lives right down town so he doesn't have a car. WE can walk everywhere ( or grab a taxi if mom gets tired) I'm very excited because my son won't be home for Thanksgiving and I'm really going to miss him. He decided to take a little trip to Dubai for a little vacation. He works at United so we get to fly for free. Then the middle of December I'm going to NYC for about 4 days and visit my brother and SIL. They live right on Madison Ave. and are very close to the stores. They have a whole list of places to show me and I have a few quilt shops lined up also. After this whole thing with my son here and the ECT treatments, 3 x a week for 5 weeks, I really need a break. Things didn't go so well with the treatments , so I'm a little discouraged. We are just still giving it some time. Believe me I'll be taking a lot of pictures. My husband just ordered a new little camera, we have a nice one , but it's big and is in a big bag, so this little Sony, I can just throw in my Messenger Bag (that I haven't made yet). Wishful thinking. I'll let you know if I did it. I'm just trying to get this Christmas quilt done. I'm getting there, but it was a lot more work than I thought. I love the fabric though. I'll let you know about the Quilt shops in NYC and take some pics. Have a great Tuesday.

First Quilt

2008-11-17T18:58:00.011-05:00

This will hopefully be a quilt

This doesn't look like much yet, but hopefully in a week or so it will be my first big quilt ever. But there have been a lot of challenges, my points aren't all on point, my machine was puckering the fabric, and as I tried to pull it straight the thread would break. I have to do 3 blocks totally over they were so bad. Bless her heart, my good friend and neighbor Susan is trying to help me as much as she can. I do believe I frustrate her a little. She didn't say that but I would be frustrated with me. She tells me something then I ask her the same questions. Man, I'm probably making her want to move to AZ ASAP. She'll be rid of that pesky neighbor!!! No, really, she is very patient and kind with me. I appreciate her help so much. And then, she graced me today with a little gift bag. She made me the armchair pouch and a square pin cushion. They are adorable. In pinks just like I like it. I will get the pics on real soon. Right now I'm about ready to take this computer and throw it out the window. My husband just got home from work in the nick of time and talked me out of it, and gently showed me how to do what I was trying to do. And yes, there were some tears. This blogging is not coming to me as easily as I would have liked, but I will keep trying.......

Getting together to play Euchre

2008-11-12T06:23:00.014-05:00

Lainey was the best at Taboo !

Happy Card Players

An Avid MSU fan

A little cards and some MSU football, Go Green

We had our little group here Saturday to play some euchre. It is so much fun to just relax and laugh. It's our time to let loose and act goofy, not me of course!!!! Well, we didn't have enough people to make up 2 tables, I goofed somewhere, so my husband said he would take over the reigns again. I thought I would take it over cause he has work and works a lot of hours. So anyway, we ended up playing Taboo. It was hysterical. Some of the hints that people give to you to say the word is so funny. One guy said something and he was trying to say umbilical cord and he said umbiblical cord. I was cracking up. Blogger Susie from Homespun Quilts was here. she is a lot of fun. Her and I are making Christmas Quilts together and it's a lot of fun to do it together, it goes faster. I will show you later my fabric and then my finished quilt. It will be my first quilt I've ever made. I have made table runners and small things but nothing this big. I think it was Anna who said she backs her quilts with flannel, and I'm going to do that. It sounds so soft. My son has finished his ECT treatments and he is actually a little worse. We have an appt. on Friday and I'm going with him even though he's 29. I just pray that they will still work. If anyone else is working on a Christmas quilt, please post about it, I would love to see some other ideas. Have a great day.

President's Prayer

2008-11-08T10:59:00.016-05:00

For as long as I can remember our Commander in Chief has had a spiritual counselor. Normally, it has been Billy Graham. He is a highly respected man of God from the beginning. He is not perfect, as none of us are but being in the spotlight for as long as he has he has had a scrupulous reputation. I highly respect him and always have. Yesterday was his 90th birthday and he announced that he would no longer be able to be a spiritual counsel to any more presidents. I think it's OK for him to retire at his age. And losing his beloved wife Ruth didn't help either. But all I'm trying to say is I respect him highly and am sad to see him aging and not able to counsel the leader of the free world. But, God will raise someone else to take his place. This is a tribute to a great man. Here is a prayer he has said for our country.

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.

~We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
~We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
~We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. ~We have killed our unborn and called it choice. ~We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
~We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
~We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neigh bor's possessions and called it ambition.
~We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. ~We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

Let Freedom Ring

2008-11-06T09:11:00.004-05:00

As I watched the election results, I was a little scared and nervous if my candidate didn't win. Well, last night at church, our pastor said it doesn't matter because He chose President Elect Obama for a reason. We may never know, but we can rest assured that God is bigger than PE Obama. We are called upon to pray and respect our leaders and support them. I don't think God made a mistake. He knew all along who it would be and we just have to trust Him. He mentioned a website where there are petitions of prayer for the 77 days until he becomes president. It's pretty cool, it's www.presidentialprayerteam.com. It's worth looking into. No matter who our President is, God is still the King!!! Let's support our new president even if we don't always agree with him.

A Sneak Peak

2008-10-30T19:47:00.003-04:00

Psst..... I hope my girl isn't looking at my blog. I wanted to give you a sneak peek of some of the things I'm putting in her Christmas stocking. She hasn't visited yet and I'm going to be sending her stocking our very soon. I just have to get a few more things. I hope she likes it. It's been fun looking for things, and making some little things. I can't wait to get mine. I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little hankering to get my Christmas things going, since it's been so cold out. I will restrain myself, however, till the day after Thanksgiving. Then it's full blast baby, full blast..... I also wanted to show you some tags that I made up this morning. I wish I could think of some way to display them and not just stick them in a drawer or book somewhere. I guess if I made enough I could make a little banner with them and hold them on with the little clothes pins. Yeah, that's a good idea. Do you have any ideas?????Come on Anna, I know you can think of something creative to do with them, as well as all you other gals out there... Have a happy Halloween and a wonderful week-end. Hugs, Tracey

Notice anything different?

2008-10-29T15:11:00.002-04:00

Did you notice anything new on my blog? My BFF Susie of homespunquilts came over and helped me put it together. She knows how to do everything. I have really been wanting to put a picture on my banner, but just kept putting it off. I have been busy moving all my quilting crap out of the dining room, and up to my new sewing table. My husband got me a new big cutting table. I can't stand all the stuff in my dining room. It's just a catchall. I also have been busy taking my son 3x a week for his treatments. We have to be at the hospital at 6:30 am. It's pretty draining. I feel a little stressed. My schedule has gone down the pot. His last treatment is Friday. Yeah, and it only took 6 weeks!!!!! Now I hope to get on to my projects, I have several things planned and have all the ingredients. I feel tired a lot, and need to start taking better care of myself. I am planning on taking Bailey for a walk in a little while..........for sure.......I think....... no, probably........I will.......

Old Fashioned

2008-10-24T01:34:00.009-04:00

My sister is having Old Fashioned at her church, and she asked me if I would make her a skirt and an apron. I was happy to oblige. She has done a lot for me and I was more than happy to do this for her. We went to Joanne's Fabrics and she picked out the fabric and a pattern for the skirt. I told her I had a pattern for the apron. Well, it turned out I had the instructions for the apron, but no pattern, so we winged it. It didn't come out as well as I would have liked, but she seems to like it. (She's probably just being nice)!!!!! So I took a few bad pictures. I really have to take a class or something....... Anyway, here are the pics.....

The Big Wedding

2008-10-20T14:48:00.002-04:00

I just have to post about a wonderful wedding we went to yesterday. Many of you probably know about it, it was Susan's son Andrew of homespunquilts. It was a beautiful sunny fall day. Couldn't have been more perfect weather. The bride was beautiful and Andy looked so handsome. (He looks like his day) Just kidding Susie!!!! Susie looked absolutely stunning in a brown/copper gown with perfect hair and make-up. And you could tell she was so proud, as she should be. The flowers were different colors of pink roses, that were the centerpieces. (Susie was I supposed to take the one on our table????) LOL I don't want to say too much cause I know Susie will have a lot of pictures and a lot to say, but just stop by and congratulate her on being a new MIL. You were beautiful Susie. Hugs Stace

Odds and Ends at an Odd Time

2008-10-15T01:06:00.006-04:00

Yes, I know it's 12:40 am and I can't sleep, so I thought I would post a blog. I have been doing a little of this and I also got some goodie mail today. First I got some clearance fabric online and made some little toppers for my four windows in the living room. I also got some roller blinds, because the mini-blinds get so dusty and I hate to clean them. The toppers are so easy to make a child could make them, but I like to change my window treatments so I opt for the cheaper kind. The roller blinds were a little plain so I put a little embellishment on them. I guess they're OK. My DH really liked them. I got a print in the mail today from Dyana in Jamaica. If you've every seen her work she is very good.. I just LOVE bunnies and this bunny pic is so cute. Then I got a cupcake pattern book from I don't remember where (sorry), but it has some of the cutest cupcake patterns ever. And I took a picture of my mantle just because it was there!!!!!! I have to get up at 5:30 am to take my son to get his treatment. I really pray that these help him. Well, I better go and try and sleep. Hope you are all getting some ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Good Night

The Big Game

2008-10-11T17:14:00.005-04:00

Hi All, Well it's officially fall in Michigan. A beautiful day, some yard work, a sweet tea from McDonald's. I got so hooked on those this summer I had one everyday!!! Anyhoo, Gotta get the chores done before the Big Game, MSU vs Northwestern, they are winning of course, it's not really the BIG game, MSU vs U of M. Now that's a big one. I was working in the yard and thought I'd give Baby Bailey and good bath and brushing before the game. He's so excited about the game, he's taking a nap. Boy, those baths sure wear you out. I wanted him clean so I could put on his brand new MSU bandanna. We are giggling a little because U of M lost to Toledo. Nothing against Toledo, my DH used to live there and went to Bowling Green, but come on they beat U of M..... Oh, and this morning my DH took me to Joanne Fabric and bought me a big cutting table for my sewing/craft room upstairs in one of the extra rooms. So now, the dining room doesn't look like a bomb hit it. Oh, back to football, my cousin was a professor at MSU till his early death of cancer. Then my S-I-L went there in the 60's and my son went there and graduated a few years ago, but we have always been MSU fans. So have a great week-end and may your home team win...... Go Green.......

I'm still alive

2008-10-08T21:18:00.003-04:00

Hi, I'm still alive if anyone was wondering. It has been very hectic around here. Tim started his ECT treatments last Friday. Things have been mixed up. Times, locations. I've had to put all my stuff on hold. I am going to try and do my hospital volunteering tomorrow afternoon. Tim is staying here during his treatments. I have been working on some projects, but I can't show them because they are for Christmas presents and my sister looks at my blog. Kerry, You're cheating!!!!!!! I had a cyst removed from my scalp on Tuesday. I have stitches and it kinda hurts when I lay on it. I'm going to get myself together and start a sewing frenzy, so I will have some pics for you soon. Thank you for the comments you have sent. I do miss getting them. Hugs, Tracey

Still working but no pics

2008-09-30T14:26:00.002-04:00

I have been really busy sewing and crafting, I just can't show them because they are for Christmas gifts. I told my sister I was working on her gift and she said I'll just go on your blog and see it. I said duh!!! I'm not going to post it before Christmas. I have been pretty busy. We are also going through some trauma with one of my sons. He is going to have some ECT treatments and we are trying to get him into the hospital today and start the treatments tomorrow. The whole insurance and Dr. communication and hospital thing is like jumping through hoops. So right now, we are just holding our breath. Please pray that he can at least get into the hospital today. It's very stressful. I'll post some pics when I can. I am also going to make some window toppers for the living room.

A Little Behind

2008-09-24T15:07:00.002-04:00

I know I haven't blogged lately. Since I got home from Chicago, I have been tired and just worn out. Yesterday, I went through all my quilting magazines and tutorials. Then I went to a fabric shop online and got some fabric to make new curtains in my living room. Just what I need to take on now. So I became overwhelmed, decided to organize and prioritise my projects. So I started on my Christmas Stocking Swap project. So , that's where I am today. Then, I think I'll start my Christmas projects that will be used for gifts. I hate having so much to do and your mind gets boggled. Also, new to my regular I started a Beth Moore bible study today at my church, then tomorrow I'm starting to volunteer and the hospital in ER. So I just keep adding things, instead of taking away. But these things are very important to me. Anyhoo, when I get something done I'll post it for all to see. Off to my sewing machine.....

Title for the pictures

2008-09-18T20:30:00.015-04:00

I don't know why my labels won't stay under my pictures so I'll have to explain them to you. My great nephew Caleb drew a picture of a duck for me. My niece plays the keyboard for her church praise team. She sings too. I loved Lake Michigan while my son Trev was jogging. Also, I would love to look in one of those brownstones. The huge lettuce we saw, Trev said Mom do you want salad for dinner???? I will have to learn how to keep the labels under my pics.

Back to work

2008-09-18T20:30:00.012-04:00

Hi all, I have been M-I-A for a week. I spent in Chi town with my son. It was very fun, but now I have to get down to business and start sewing again. I have so much I want to do, but I have to do the laundry and ironing first. Then the fine stuff!!!! I took a few pictures of my trip, I thought I would share them with you. I'm not a great photographer so just bear with me.

Chicago

2008-09-15T10:13:00.003-04:00

What is it with 5 year old??? I was just at my nieces in suburban Chicago. She has an 18 year old boy, a 14 year old girl and a 5 year old boy. My sister and b-i-l and nephew are living there right now too. But that Caleb, from the minute he gets up till he goes to bed at 10 or so, never shuts his mouth. I have to say that the older boys tease the heck out of him and make him scream like crazy. He climbs up on the coffee table and jumps to the couch, etc. etc. I guess I'm just not used to all that confusion. There wasn't a quiet place to read or anything. It's just busy busy busy. I loved being with all of them, though, we had a great time. We played cards, went shopping a little, my niece played the piano and we sang. It was really great. But, NOW, I'm at my sons downtown Chicago apt. and he just left for work and I'm ALONE. I just looked up some fabric stores close to here so I'm going to put on my walking shoes and walk there and probably take a taxi home. (with all my purchases). I have some pics to show you when I get home. So see you probably Thursday..

A Little Break

2008-09-10T06:20:00.002-04:00

I'm going to be off for a few days, I am going to Chicago for a week and visit my son and niece and her family. I am taking my camera though. I have learned that from all of you. I"m not used to taking my camera everywhere I go. I'm trying to though. See you in a few days.

It's FALL

2008-09-08T20:12:00.004-04:00

I love it, it's cooler out, my hot flashes aren't as bad. Oh, did I say that out loud?? Well, alot of you know what I'm talking about. Today I cleaned my whole first floor of my summer decorations and got my fall stuff up, but first I had to clean and dust, then put up the fall stuff, then vacuum and on and on. I have a lot to do tomorrow as I'm going to Chitown on wed. to visit my son and my niece and her family. There's a fabric store I found online that's right on Division street downtown right where my son lives. I can't wait to go there. I had better take an extra bag in case I find some good deals. I'm hoping that it's cooler so it will be easier walking around. While my son is at work, I walk to Mich Ave. there's a Starbucks right around his corner, I take my computer and get a cuppa. I also go to Barnes and Noble, which is also just around the corner. I just love to explore and find new stores. Well, anyway I attempted to take a picture of my version of Robins grapevine pumpkin. They didn't have pumpkins at Michaels, so I just bought a ball and it kinda looks like a pumpkin, just use your imagination..

A few crafts

2008-09-06T20:08:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I went to a quilt shop about 1/2 hour from my home. They carried the Lucien material. They were so beautiful, I couldn't decide. So I picked these 2 out to make a little bag to take with me to Chicago on wednesday. I also made the Halloween table topper the other day. It's kinda pathetic, but I'm learning. Today was a beautiful day here. It was 72 degrees and a nice breeze and sunny, that's what I like about fall. I need to get out in my flower garden and start cleaning up my porch and my deck and putting the summer stuff away and getting my fall stuff out. One main thing I should of done today was put up my Michigan State Flag. They had a game today and crushed Eastern Michigan University. Go Green!!!!! Have a great sunday, I'm going to a wedding shower of one of our Bloggers and my best friend Susan of Homespun Quilts, her son is getting married in October. I'm looking forward to it. It will be fun.

Odds and Ends

2008-09-04T20:54:00.005-04:00

Hi,, I'm back from have strep throat for about a week. It's the pits. I have found some little treasures on the clearance rack at a local store. I bought some for gifts and some for me.. I also went on Cupcake Spy and bought an adorable t-shirt with a cupcake on it with bunnies all around it. It's really cute. I have finished my Halloween table runner, it's not fancy, but I'm not that good at quilting yet. I have a long way to go. I'll just keep trying. The Chicago police are trying to track down the person pretending to be my husband, and scammed my MIL out of $5,000. She's 95 and hard of hearing. She really thought it was my H. It's pretty pathetic.

Has everyone been over to Robin's Nest to get in on the Christmas Stocking Swap? It sounds like a really fun idea. I can't wait to get started. I'm done with Halloween stuff and will be getting new fabric out next. I have had trouble getting a post out and I don't know what's wrong with my computer. This is kind of a test. I hope you get this.

Beware

2008-09-01T17:07:00.003-04:00

Something happened to my m-i-l last week that we just found out about last night. She is 95 and sharp as a tack. Anyway, she called us last night and was telling us the most bizarre things like my husband had called her and said he was going out there this week-end, and he had given her airline itinerary and everything. She said he called and said he had lost his wallet and needed some money to rent a car. We thought she was totally off her rocker. But, right away my husband knew she had been scammed. She was alright, out $5,000..........My husband told her to call the police and they said they can't do anything, so we called the FBI and they said sorry it was beneath them. Who's in the middle then!!!!!!!!Anyway, tell your elderly relatives and friends to beware of this and not give any information to anyone. Needless to say she is very upset and so are we. We are worried about her too. It's sad that people to this to unsuspecting people, it could happen to anyone really.

What are you doing today?

2008-08-30T19:35:00.006-04:00

This is what I was doing today, on a holiday week-end!!!!! And then this is where I ended up eventually. Does anyone else still iron every week?? Or is it just me, I iron all my DH shirts, even his polo shirts. People think I'm nuts, but his work shirts need touched up even though they are that new fabric that keeps the crease and everything, but I still feel I have to do it. I did take a few hours and laid out in the pool with my sister and husband. I also worked on a project early this morning, 5 am. Don't ask me why I wake up so early I just do. Sometimes 4:30 and if I'm lucky around 6. Then I'm ready for bed at 9pm...... I'm also struggling with a sore throat. I haven't had one in 2 years, I don't really get sick. We don't have any huge plans for the week-end, except to go to the Detroit Tigers game on monday. Since all the kids are grown and gone, the holidays aren't quite the same. Kinda sad. Hope you all have a great week-end and have fun. My son who lives in Chicago went to CA for the first Michigan State football game of the season. He gets to fly for free, he works for United. Lucky kid...

My first swap gift

2008-08-25T14:36:00.003-04:00

Yeah, I just got my first ever swap gift from Jane at "Jane's Blog" Thank you so much Jane, I love the dishcloths, I have been wanting to try them. Also the cute polka dot green fabric, and cute magnetic, which I don't need reminded of desserts!!!!!! Thank you so much. I was so excited when I saw the mailman coming, I told my dog Bailey, let's go get the mail and sure enough he had a little box for me and a biscuit for Bailey. Anyway, getting presents is so much fun. Does anybody else have a swap going on???

Thinking about Halloween

2008-08-23T20:06:00.004-04:00

While shopping the other day I came across this cutest halloween fabric. I wasn't looking because I already a lot of fall stuff, but it was so cute I couldn't pass it up. So now I'm thinking what I'm going to make. I had to take all my sewing stuff down in the dining room because my husband had another work meeting here on friday morning. Remember the last time he had one and he said , don't go way overboard!!!!! Just because I made them some Magnolia cupcakes, which, by the way, he forgot to give them.......so I made him take them to work the next day. So I didnt go overboard I don't think, but I did clean the house and set out some matching mugs and cute napkins. ( I couldn't let him fly totally solo) He would have given them paper cups or something.... All this to say, I have to get my machine out and everything to make something out of my Halloween fabric. There, that's my story and I'm sticking to it........

The Goofy Bags

2008-08-23T11:46:00.003-04:00

Well, I finally got my goofy bags done. They aren't near as good as Thimbleannas, but I am trying. I think the bags though, are very cute. I would like to make a bigger one to use as a purse. I will have to work on that. I am proud of myself for finding my zipper foot and actually being able to put the zipper in. Thanks Anna for the wonderful tutorial. Things are settling down here a little since the wedding. Except yesterday I had to have a little surgery on the back of my head. I've had a lump on and off for a few months, and they just thought it was an infection, so they gave me antibiotics and it would go away. That happened a few times and it would come back, so yesterday the Dr. numbed it up and cut out the infection and gave me a few stitch's. The shots hurt like heck, and now I have a pain killer and man does it help. Lalalal land. I hope everyone has a good week-end and relaxes a little bit. Thank you Jenn for the smile award, and Jane for the swap. Can't wait to get my little goodie. Let me know if I'm not doing the swaps and stuff right, I really am not sure how they work. I appreciate all the work you guys have helped me with, especially my great friend and neighbor Susan from Homespun Quilts. Later......

The ugly fabric

2008-08-23T04:53:00.005-04:00

I was going through my old fabric yeserday and I found some pretty nasty ones. I know this went round a few months ago, but I just had to share my stash. I guess I shouldn't exactly call it ugly. It's just not pleasing to my eye. If anyone wants it for scrap I would gladly send it to you. I can't believe how my tastes have changed over the years. Does this happen to you??? You wonder, what was I thinking???? Any how, that's my stash of ugly fabrics......

2008-08-17T19:28:00.003-04:00

Here is how it works: I will send a gift of my choice to the first 3people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this "Pay it forward" exchange. YOU MUST make the same pledge on your blog! So, if you want some goodies from me and you are willing to do the same on your blog, do let me know! I will need your email address so we can correspond to each other for mailing addresses.

It is supposed to be something small; like something that can be sent in a mailing envelope or very small box. I think this will be a fun thing and I know many of are already committed to doing this, but I am hoping for three who have not done so yet! I got this from "Jane's Blog"

Pay it Forward

2008-08-17T19:14:00.003-04:00

My Niece Lindsay's wedding

2008-08-12T20:42:00.006-04:00

On 8-8-08 my niece Lindsay married Michael on a river boat. It was a beautiful night and there was a nice breeze blowing. As the sun went down were getting a little chilly, but as soon as us old girls got on the dance floor, we were no longers chilly, but sweaty. We made complete fools of ourselves, but hey, you only live once. Our husbands just sat at the tables and shook their heads, they are used to it by now. The bride was beautiful and the groom very handsome. The theme was kind of nautical because of the boat and it was kind of more casual. They had cupcakes and they were fabulous. We had a lot of out of town relatives and it was extra fun. My brother and sister-in-law came from NYC and they are always fun. They always bring me the cutest hostess gifts. They have cute little shops in NYC and Mystic CT where they have a condo. Anyhoo, fun was had by all.

The Ultimate Cleaner

2008-08-06T10:30:00.003-04:00

Hey Girls, I have just come upon a new cleaning product. I have an awful time with keeping the grout in my bathrooms clean. I have tried everything over the years from bleach to salt to sprays that say they will clean, nothing works. I thought, I'll go to Lowes and see if they have anything, maybe industrial or something. Well I found this and used it yesterday, and it actually works. Some stains need a little more elbow grease, but it takes away rust stains, the rust colored calcium buildup around your faucets and spout. You can use it on countertops etc. There's a whole list of stuff you can use it for. Just putting it out there if anyone has that problem like I do. Or if anyone has another idea that works. Happy cleaning.

Billy Burgers

2008-08-04T15:52:00.010-04:00

Wow, two posts in one day. Well, we had a picnic on saturday and my niece who's getting married this friday is in town, and she asked my husband "Bill" if he would make Billy Burgers. It's a name we have had for 20 years now when Bill makes the burgers. He has a special recipe, (not really) and everyone loves them. He thinks he's all that now and a bag of chips. He mixes the ground beef with Lipton Onion soup and an egg, and few seasonings. They are pretty good , I must admit, but that is the extent of his cooking. Fun was had by all and all the Bill Burgers got eaten up thanks to Bailey (my dog). Hope you have a great rest of the week.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2008-08-04T14:23:00.003-04:00

I finally figured out what to do with my Christmas fabric. I am a very beginning quilter, so I know this looks so easy and it was but I have to practice on something. I'm already thinking of ways to change it up a little. After seeing the purse/bag on the Red Geranium I'm like OMG, that is absolutely adorable. I could never make anything like that!!!!!! And the Cami bag on Thimbleanna, I might take a stab at that. She gives a great tutorial and great pictures. My husband thinks the coasters (yes, they are coasters) are really cute. But, I think he's a little biased. But, I said you should see what the other bloggers are making!!! He said just do what makes you happy and what you enjoy....Well, heres to nothing......

2008-07-27T21:18:00.001-04:00

What month is this?????

2008-07-27T19:16:00.006-04:00

Yes, I know, it's not even near Christmas time, but I was looking at some quilting magazines and got some ideas for gifts. I've made homemade gifts for the girls the past several years, but am always squished for time at the end. I thought maybe I could get a little head start, so NO I haven't lost my mind and skipped a bunch of holidays. I do know in what order they come. So, that said I'm thinking of two little projects I might do for this year. I'll show you when I'm done. I know I haven't showed any crafts I've made on my blog yet, but I was so busy just trying to learn to blog I didn't have time. Yes, I do sew, quilt (not very good), crochet, scrapbook, love my garden and my flowers, love my Beth Moore bible studies. Doing a summer one right now, and love it. Anyhoo, I will get some pics of some of the things I have made. I'm just sitting here cooling off after watering my flowers and sipping that good old McDonalds sweet tea, that Thimbleanna said they call black gold, since it's so cheap to make and they sell oodles of it. For one container they use a 5 lb. bag of sugar. Just don't think about that part. Anyway , hope you all had a great week-end.

Bad Dog

2008-07-25T20:33:00.004-04:00

I'm mad at my dog Bailey. He's such a cutie, but today he got into all the trash and chewed it up all over the house. He's 6 and he should know better. But how can you discipline them when they are so darned cute. I've gotten hooked on the sweet tea at McDonalds and the crispy chicken ranch wrap. I go there just about daily. So there are McDonalds bags all over the place.

Bills home meeting

2008-07-22T14:40:00.005-04:00

My husband Bill planned an off site meeting for his team and his boss from work at our house today, all day!!!!! I wanted to do this really good for him. He said someone was bringing bagels for breakfast and they would go out to lunch, come back for more meeting and then I told him I would make Magnolia cupcakes for their afternoon break. He said, don't do too much or go overboard..... ME???? Well, I wanted to have a theme, so red, white and blue it was. I got all my plates and napkins out that all matched. Got the tea towels that matched. I got all the coffee set up and had different creams etc. and all I said was, honey do you want me to get a little dish and put some ice in it and put the creams in it. I knew they would be sitting out all morning, while I was at Panera, staying out of the way. Well, you would have thought I asked him if I could make a 5 course meal. He said NO, that's going way overboard. Well, excuse me for living...... He said I'm really glad you are like you are, you're a good hostess and everything but don't embaress him, embaress him???? By putting the cream on ice???? I said this is all a reflection on you too... and your boss will be here too. I didn't do the cream, but I did do the cupcakes, put them on the stand and put red sugar and little American Flags on them. Is that too much, I ask????? Forgive me all to heck for wanting to be a good hostess. Girls, remember, don't go way overboard like I did, God forbid we would embaress our husbands, while they're trying to impress their bosses and co-workers.

Lindsay's shower

2008-07-22T13:51:00.005-04:00

My niece Lindsay had her wedding shower on sunday, in Ft. Wayne IN. My sister and I drove down from Detroit to attend it. It was really quite nice. Lindsay lives in South Carolina and goes to Bob Jones University. Her fiance just got out of the Air Force. He is going to school also. They are getting married on 8-8-08, aboard a small ship/boat with tables with white tablecloths, catered food,, music and dancing. ( and she goes to Bob Jones??) Anyhoo, it will be fun to have the whole family together. I will be having about 9 people staying with me. Yoo Hoo. I like having company. Its so fun. We play games, our favorite is Taboo, and we watch our summer family movie, What about Bob?. It's the funniest movie ever. Enjoy the two pictures!!!!!

Getting back to normal

2008-07-18T09:36:00.001-04:00

I've finally got my house back to normal after the big birthday party. Hopefully I'll have more time to start on some of my craft projects. I also will be practicing my blogging techniques. Look for some changes soon.

The 95th birthday party

2008-07-13T11:59:00.009-04:00

Well, the party was yesterday and it was great fun. We did have to eat our meal inside because of the rain, but were able to eat our Magnolia cupcakes outside. They were soooo good. Everyone raved about them. Mom had a great time. We had a few family members come in from out of town, and it was good to see everybody. We played Taboo and grandma was a stitch. She couldn't figure out how to play for anything. My son was trying to help her and we were cracking up. Try to teach a 95 year old new tricks, and it just doesn't work well. My thanks for the Magnolia recipe I think I got from Thimbleanna and the Susan Branch teapot fabric from which I made a banner. Here are some pictures from the party. I would like to see if anyone can pick me out of the group. No friends or family included. Have a great sunday. I also have to apologize for my blog being a mess, I still can't figure out how to put the pictures under the post, and my picture quailty still needs some work. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

It's almost time for the party

2008-07-10T15:11:00.005-04:00

It's two days till Grandma's 95th birthday party. I have been busy as a bee, getting everything all ready. She is coming from CA and other people are coming from other states, so all my bedrooms had to be cleaned and made up. I'm excited except it's supposed to rain in the afternoon, and I wanted the party out on the deck. I did get the apron done that I made her, and one for myself!!! I'll take lots of pics of the party and let you know how it goes.

The Finished Product

2008-07-07T07:18:00.002-04:00

As promised, here is the after pictures of my kitchen cabinets. My husband took last week off and finished these up. I'm really happy with them. The other ones were the pits.

Independence Day

2008-07-04T06:50:00.001-04:00

I want to wish everyone out there a Happy and Safe Fourth of July week-end. And may God truly bless America.

A Sneak Preview

2008-07-01T08:00:00.004-04:00

I'm finally coming out with a new post. We have been wanting to change our kitchen cabinets for a long time, and finally decided to do something with the existing cabinets. My husband is working on them now and I want to give you a before and after picture. This has been a long time coming and I want to remember every part of it. There will be more pics as the project progresses. Here are a few I shot this morning. Stay tuned. More to come.

Someones Big Day

2008-06-26T20:59:00.003-04:00

Today was my husband's birthday. I won't tell you how old he is , although he's older than he looks. That's what everyone tells him anyway. We just got back from a nice dinner out and he came home to the balloons I got him today, I think he was a little surprised. He has two degrees in computers and business management and I'm a total dork when it comes to computers. I think he thinks it's kinda cute that I'm dabbling and don't know a darn thing I'm doing. He has offered to help me, but you know how someone close to you just doesn't cut it. My kids were showing me how to use the computer when they were in elementary school. Anyway, Happy Birthday Honey. We will celebrate your real party on the 4th of July when we have two relatives to rub together. Our family is pathetic. Anywho, I'm working on my cupcake banner for my mother-in-laws 95th birthday July 12. I have so much to do, I could scream, but it would wake the baby, Bailey, our golden retreiver.

My best friend

2008-06-20T16:40:00.003-04:00

I have to tell you about my dog, Bailey. He is a golden retriever and boy can he retrieve. Every time someone comes over he has to grab something in his mouth and greet them at the door. It's usually one my pillows on my couch or a shoe or piece of laundry. It can be embarassing at times. Today my sister came over to swim and we went in the garage for something and here comes Bailey prancing from the deck with my sisters beach cover up. Just as proud as anything. I think he's just trying to help. He is also the biggest baby in the world. He's 90 lbs. and thinks he's a lap dog. He sits on my husbands lap and my husband can't get up till dum-dum ( that's our nickname for him) decides he want to get down. Anyway with kids all gone the dog is our baby.

A Big Birthday Party

2008-06-17T08:10:00.003-04:00

Well, on July 12th, my mother in law will be 95. She is sharp as a tack. I want to have a special party for her. The theme-Cupcakes!!!!! My favorite. I have purchased the Susan Branch cupcake material. I want to make a flag banner. Of course we'll have cupcakes. The colors are pink and white, balloons etc. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas that I could use. I am going to put some pics up of my deck and other related pics. I am going to have her wear a tiara and decorate a special birthday girl chair. What else could I use the fabric for?? Thanks for your answers.

A Bad Day

2008-06-09T11:36:00.002-04:00

Well, I'm at Panera working on my computer along with 500 other people who don't have power either. We had a huge storm blow in yesterday and lost all power. We went to Lowes last night and bought a generator. At least our fridge, freezer, sumpump, TV and lights in living room work, and a fan. That's all I need. My husband works for Detroit Edison, but he doesn't work in any areas that have to do with fixing the power. I wish!!! I'm going to go home and work on my embroidering of the BOM club. Hope you all have power!!!!! Tracey

Our Big Day

2008-06-04T14:49:00.001-04:00

Well, I just have to write and wish my husband a wonderful anniversary. Yes, today is out 31st anniversary, dare I say of wedded bliss. It has been wonderful. My husband is the greatest. I love him to death. Happy anniversary honey!!!!!

My great week-end

2008-06-01T16:14:00.002-04:00

I have to tell you about the fabulous week-end I had away with my friend Janet. We went to Grand Rapids MI, about 3 or 4 hours from us and went to a Bill Gaither, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound concert. It was awesome. We were so geared up, hooting and hollering. They sang some of the oldies from the old Gaither days and had the old Gaithers that have gone on on the video singing the same songs that the singers were singing, at exactly the same spot. It was very touching. Ernie Haase and Signature Sound are so good and they are soo cute. WE talked to some of them. Are there any Gaither, Ernie Haase, David Phelps, Mark Lowry fans out there. I just love their music. WE had a great time, now I have to go and plant some flowers. Pictures are soon to follow. Tracey

2008-05-26T21:15:00.002-04:00

I wanted to tell you about 0ur Labor Day!!!! Plans were to buy and plant flowers saturday and sunday, the go to a picnic at my sisters on Monday. Well, God had other plans for us. I did buy and plant my flowers on Sat. & Sun, but Sun night at 1:30am, my darling husband decided to have a kidney stone flareup and we ended up at the hospital till 3pm today (mon) Fortunately, I think he passed it when we got home. (perfect timing!!) I will be forthcoming with some pictures, I'm still learning how to put this thing together. Thank you to those who are giving me some tips and trying to help me. I really appreciate it. Have a great week. Tracey

2008-05-21T18:04:00.002-04:00

Well, I am slowly learning to do more things with my blog. I still need help from my friend Susie, but she's busy getting a garage sale ready for this week-end. I know they take a lot of work. I did plant some flowers today between drops of rain and sun. It was cool, but I had to get them in the ground. This week-end is supposed to be nice, like 78. I can't wait. Hope everyone has a great holiday week-end.

A Newbie here

2008-05-16T14:00:00.003-04:00

Hello fellow bloggers. My name is Tracey and this is my first blog. I hope I don't mess up too bad. I am at home laying on the sofa bed. I had minor surgery yesterday in a place you use everyday, let's just say sitting!!! The pain isn't too bad though and my husband is here to wait on me hand and foot and etc etc.... My best friend just was here and she helped me set up my blog page. She is a whiz with a computer and I'm not. Really not.... I'm so sad though because my friend Susie is supposed to move to Arizona in November, but I told her I'm praying really hard that they won't move. I don't think she's too happy about my prayers, but just said I can't do anything about what you're praying for... That's right and I can pray hard too. Really hard. Sorry Susie