Lilacs and Iris

I have the most wonderful smell wafting around my house . . . Lilacs - the Iris don't have a fragrance. These pictures were taken yesterday, and there are many more flowers today. I will probably take a few more pictures if you can bear it!








These were taken for my room mate who moved right before all the blooms came out. There were tons of buds when he left two weeks ago, but he missed the blooms. I will send him a link to my blog so he can see them.

Hope every one is having a great Memorial Day and remembering why we celebrate it.

Hugs

Oh my . . .

My blogaversary was on May 13 and I missed it. I thought I'd make 100 posts before I hit a year - guess I don't have that much to say! Maybe I should quit talking to myself and save it all up for a post . . . I don't know how much of it you would understand since I really do ramble, talk to the animals, talk to the plants, etc., etc.

I thought I'd try one of those upside down hanging thingies for tomatoes. I didn't want to spend the money for the ones on TV, so I sort of made my own . . .



I hope it works - really don't see why not. You can just see the plant coming out the bottom of the milk jug, it is reaching for the sun and seems to be doing fine. It has been there for 2 days and is no worse for wear.

It was a bit tricky to insert the plants since I have them in those little peat pots that disintegrate with time. I cut a piece of fiberglass screen with a slit in it to go around the plant stems, then turned the jug upside down to pull the leaves through the hole in the jug. The screen keeps the soil from falling out and won't hurt the stems but will expand with growth. I then filled the jug with potting soil, and found a metal hanger to bend into shape so it would hang from one of the end rafters on the back porch. It's not pretty, but if it grows tomatoes, who cares!

I get lots of deer in my yard, but they won't come that close to the house, so I figure I'm safe.

Hot weather for us here over the weekend - in the mid to upper 80's. That's right after weeks of upper 50' and lower 60's and rain, so those of you that are in the 90's and 100's can laugh all you want over "my" version of hot! This week will be perfect in the mid to upper 70's.

I have 3 basic areas with grass and since my room mate moved I have to mow . . . Phew, I can only do one area at a time, and not very well at that. I did the two in the front over the weekend in the early mornings, and the backyard really needs it too, but it will have to wait a day or two - I'm not use to mowing and I hurt! My yard has different types of grass and some of it got to be about 12"+ tall!!! I won't let that happen again - it's too hard to push the mower through. You can even see a bit of the backyard Jungle in the picture above.....

I will leave you with wishes of perfect weather - your style!

Did you know . . . ?

I just read an email that I put in a folder for safekeeping - - - and as I was cleaning out all my emails, I thought that I would try it just for sh*ts and giggles.

First, here is the email:

Thought you may be interested in this email I received especially if you use dryer sheets in the dryer!

"The heating unit went out in my dryer. The repairman went in to the dryer and pulled out the lint screen / filter. It was clean. We always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes.

He told us that he wanted to show us something.

He took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. Now, this
thing is like a mesh-I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks
like - WELL......the hot water just laid on top of the mesh!!! It didn't go
through it at all!!! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that
mesh and that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but
it's there. He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long
time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and
wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least
every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as
long! How about that???!!!! Learn something new everyday!

I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, thought I'd share!
Note: I went to dryer and tested my screen by running water on it.
The water collected a little but ran though the screen. I dried it off and
was ready to put it back in the dryer since the water ran through it but, I
thought was the heck it won't hurt to wash it while I had it out.

Warm soap water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. I then
ran the water over the screen and what a difference the water just gushed
through it with no puddling at all and this time I was running the water at
a faster rate. That repairman knew what he was talking about.

PLEASE, PASS THIS ON TO OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK. NOT ONLY COULD IT SAVE
SOMEONE'S HOME, BUT IT COULD SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE (Don't leave that dryer
running when you leave the house. Ask any firefighter!)"

Now I tried this, and yes, the water bubbled up and rolled around on the screen! I washes it, dried it and tried again. YUP, the water went straight through the screen! I'm no expert about dryer fires, but I will continue to do this in the future. I have never left my washer or dryer running when I leave the house . . . I'm not particularly fond of the idea of coming home to a flood in my kitchen when the water lines to the washer blow, nor am I thrilled thinking about coming home to my house in ashes along with my 2 cats and dog.

I'm not into scaring any one, but this really works. Go ahead and try it just for fun . . . you might find it is not so funny after all.

Hugs to all and stay safe

Happy Mother's Day and other tidbits . . .

I wish all women a Happy Mother's Day whether you have 2 or 4 legged kids. In fact I wish every woman a great day whether you have any children or not!

My daughter, in Texas, sent me flowers. They are a wonderful mix of colors and types. I'm just tickled pink. I called my Mom, in Denmark to wish her a great day. I called yesterday at 10 a.m. here my time which makes it 7 p.m. her time. She will now think about the call all day instead of waiting until evening today to get my call. The distance is 9 hours and I don't know exactly how many miles, so I have to gauge my calls accordingly.

Well, my room mate left Oregon yesterday for his trip down to Texas. I missed him as soon as he was out of sight! We've been room mates for a bit over 15 years! Can you believe that?!?!? We have had our ups and downs like anyone living in the same house, but he has been, and still is, my best friend
.


I started cleaning up his room yesterday, nothing major, just vacuuming dog and cat fur and spider webs that tend to grow no matter how much you clean, and washing the windows so I can see out a bit better. It now looks like there is no glass in the frames, but the room faces southeast and I want all the sun I can get in that room.

It will be slowly converted to a craft room, and I'm now getting anxious for that to happen, but will go slowly and not over do it since my arthritis and back problems will flare up putting me on the couch for a couple of days.



There are dark denim curtains in there as D wanted the sun to be kept at bay until at least 7 or 8. In the summer it comes up over the hills at around 5:30! I will change them out with some light green leaf print curtains. I might even be able to do that before I start the rest of the work . . . ripping out carpet, laying plywood over the press board sub floor that has gotten wet in the corner and is spongy even when dry. I will paint the floor and lay a large rug in there - I will paint the walls a light gray color - I'm in an old mobile so there is fake paneling and I hate it!!!



It will take some time to get all that done, but as I get it done, I will post pictures. The above pictures is the way it looks today. I will post them again with an after picture when that part is done.

As much as I want to tear into it all right NOW, I need to go slow!!!!

Wishing you again a Happy Mother's Day.

Black Powder Shoot Camping

Oh, we had a wonderful time! We left on Friday morning, drove about 9 miles up into the Cascades and entered a world of Mountain Men. The costumes were fantastic and pretty authentic. Not everyone dressed in period costumes - they can get expensive. If you plan to become a member of the group, you go slowly in gathering everything needed for an authentic costume; hats, deer hide shirts and pants, rifles and pistols, and anything else you can think of.

This was our set up. Two truck campers, mine is the back one on the left, one small 60's trailer, very cute, and a 5th wheel. We circled the "wagons" as it was very windy and we were trying to block as much as possible. On Saturday morning we woke to 22 deg temps. and Sunday it was 17!!!!! Can you say COLD ? ? ? We sure could!!!




Standing on the other side of my truck, this was the view. behind the trees from right to center is where the shooting trail ran. There were a bunch of competitions from shotguns, pistols, 45 caliper, 50 caliper, to knife throwing.



This wonderfully costumed group were following us down the trail doing the various types of 'shoots'.



This is my niece, 12 yrs. old. The jacket doesn't go with the costume, but it was cold and windy even on the trail in the trees. She had a bad day shooting, but there are many shoots during the year, so she will have better days.



This is a friends son, 7 yrs. old. He shot 14 out of 16 in the PeeWee squirrel gun competition.



After the shoots were done, they had a game for the kids - find the coins in the hay! There was $16. in gold coins ($1.00) and tons and tons of quarters - I think someone said there was over $50. in quarters, maybe more. You can just see my niece on the far right.



This shows 2 of the many, many groups of friends and families, and I couldn't even capture all the RV's in each group. The one on the left had 5-6, and the other had 3-4. There were a lot of people there, and we had sooo much fun.



There are more shoots coming up during the year, but I'm not sure I'll be able to go - my dog flips out totally at gunshots and even if she just sees a rifle.

Depending on how far they are I might go for a day, but we'll see.

Happy camping (when it warms up)!!!

Don't forget your girlfriends

Today this popped into my brain. Some one sent this to me quite a while ago, just thought I'd pass it on - it makes you stop and think . . . it is a bit long, but worth reading.

"Don't forget your Girlfriends"

I sat on a summer day, drinking iced tea and visiting with my mother.

"Don't forget your girlfriends," Mother advised, clinking the ice cubes in her glass.
No matter how much you love your husband, you are still going to need girlfriends.

Remember to go places with them now and then;
and do things with them, even when you don't necessarily want to.

And remember that girlfriends are not only friends, but sisters, daughters, mothers, grandmothers and other relatives too.
Women supporting and relating to other women is our responsibility and our gift.

"What a funny piece of advice," I thought.
"Hadn't I just gotten married?
Hadn't I just joined the couple-world?
I was now a married woman, for goodness sake, not some young girl who needed friends!"

But I listened to my Mom. I kept in contact with my girlfriends and even found some
new ones along the way. As the years tumbled by, one after another, I gradually came to understand that Mom really knew what she was talking about!

Here is what I know:
Girl friends bring casseroles and scrub your bathroom when you need help;
Girlfriends keep your children and your secrets.
Girlfriends give advice when you ask, sometimes you take it and sometimes you don't.
Girlfriends don't always tell you you're right, but they usually tell the truth.
Girlfriends still love you, even when they disagree with your choices.
Girlfriends laugh with you and don't need canned jokes to start the laughter.
Girlfriends pull you out of jams.
Girlfriends don't keep a calendar of who hosted the other's last big party.
Girlfriends will celebrate for your son or daughter when they get married or have a baby, in whichever order that happens.
Girlfriends are there for you in an instant, and when the hard times come.
Girlfriends will drive through blizzards, rainstorms, hail, heat, and gloom of night to get to you when your hour of need is desperate.
Girlfriends listen when you lose a job or a friend.
Girlfriends listen when your children break your heart.
Girlfriends listen when your parents' minds and bodies fail.
Girlfriends cry with you when someone you loved dies.
Girlfriends support you when the men in your life let you down.
Girlfriends help you pick up the pieces when men pack up and go.
Girlfriends rejoice at what makes you happy, and are ready to go out and kill what makes you unhappy.

Times passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up.
Marriages fail. Love waxes and wanes. Hearts break. Careers end.
Jobs come and go. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors.
Men don't call when they say they will.

But girlfriends are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you.

A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley, and you have to walk it for yourself, your girlfriends will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you. Or come in and carry you out. My daughters, sisters-in-law, mother-in-law, nieces, cousins, extended family,
and friends bless my life.

The world wouldn't be the same without them, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead, nor did we know how much we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.

Hugs to all my girlfriends!!!

It's been a long time

I've been reading blogs, but have been a bit lazy when it comes to posting on my own. I will try to do better! There is stuff going on, but I don't necessarily think most of it has been post worthy. . . I've helping my room mate pack for his move - only 26 days left, boo hoo, and I think most of it is under control now. Of course, there is always last minute stuff and going through our Christmas decorations. We have sooo many outside lights that we just don't use any more - he will take them.

I've been futzing here at home, doing mindless stuff. I decided not to go through any more boxes of fabric until my room mate is moved out, that way I can spread out a bit more to really see what I have out in the shed. I know there are pillow forms, lots of fleece, not large pieces, but enough to warm up several people and kids! Hats, scarves, and I might even try to make some mittens. This would be for next year, since by the time I get to making them it will be warm enough to not need them.

I'm also trying to get the camper ready for a trip on April 24, 25 & 26. We will be camping at a higher elevation than I live, so I'll need plenty of warm fuzzies of all kinds. My friend Dale belongs to a Black Powder group, and they are having their first "Camping Shoot" this month. A lot of the group members dress in period clothing, have old guns, and have a ball doing this! I'm going to go for the camping. I have to leave my dog at home because she is terrified of guns and rifles. I can leave her with my room mate this time, but at the "Shoot" in June, I either have to find someone to watch her or not go.

Well, back to real life.

Back soon!

What I've been doing

Lately I've been going through all the places that I have craft supplies stashed. All over the house, every nook and crannie and outside in the storage sheds! I have fabric, yarn and craft wood - and who knows what else! Some of it I haven't been able to look at since I moved into this house in 2001. I've been going through (some of) the fabric boxes to make sure that nothing has been ruined by bugs or leaking roofs. I'm lucky - every thing seems to be fine. (Phew!)

My roommate will be moving in 2 months or so and I've sort of been taking stock of everything I have that will go into his room. That is after I tear out the carpet and overlay the sub-floor with fresh plywood because there is a mushy spot in the outside corner. Then I want to paint the walls a soft color so the project colors won't be distorted - as you can see, I live in an old mobile home with that darn fake wood paneling - I hate it!!! I will also paint the 'new' plywood floor and put a few throw rugs around. All that's even before I move one shelf, table or box in there! I want to make curtains too!!! LOL

The first picture shows where I do my sewing at the moment - a bit cramped to say the least! The three cardboard boxes - the kind that copy paper comes in - are full of fabric! . . . and there are more boxes out in a little storage shed. Now that I've looked through these, they go back out in the shed and I bring in some more!
Behind the boxes in the picture is a cabinet that hold almost all of my craft paint! I'm not even going near the boxes of wood that are in the shed (not yet).



This picture shows another box full of fabric and a small stack of washed and ironed fabric ready to use. In the first picture you can just see, peeking out from behind the boxes, another stack of washed and ironed fabrics! The plastic bag has six knit dish cloths in it (to keep animal fur off). Behind them is a stack of quilt squares that I cut and sewed last week before I got the wild hair up my butt to check the rest of my fabric! Believe it or not, I had to go buy two yards of fabric for the sashing! Nuts or what?? That box, too, will go back out in the shed.



. . . and the last picture is of the three bookcases on my front (enclosed) porch. Uh, yup, more supplies of all kinds! Ribbon, WIP's, UFO's, embroidery floss, Aida cloth, and if you can think it, I have it!!! Even with all this "STUFF" there are still times I have to go buy something. Sometimes because I just don't have something I really need, or because I can't find the item I need! And I know somewhere I already have three of them!!!



WOW, this turned into a longer post than I was going for, but I hope you can see why I've been negligent about posting.

I also have a habit of starting to straighten one thing and ending up doing four or five other things before I get back to the first - sometimes I wonder if I'll ever really get organized! The one thing I am looking forward to is having the mess ALL in one place.

I hope everyone is a bit more organized than I am!!!

I wish you all a great craft space, and don't chastise me if I chuckle over your messes!

I leave you with this:

Creative clutter is better than idle neatness!! LOL

Well, ain't that something

It started the day before yesterday with some rain and flurries. OK, I'm fine with that. (remember my previous post - "a slight dusting") Overnight and yesterday morning it continued to rain a bit and flurry a lot. Hmmm . . .

This picture from yesterday, shows a little bit of snow on the tree (far left branches)by my back door. You can see it just coming down in the distance.


And it snowed, and it snowed, and we got some more snow! You can see the same tree, as previous picture (far left) with heavy snow on the branches - that was this morning!

(that little building in the background - it is my well pump shed, not an out door pottie, we are a bit more civilized than that!!!)

I had left my Jeep out so it would get washed off by the rain, yeah, right! See what happened because I didn't jump right out there and put it in the car port!!!

This was yesterday morning -


. . . and this was first thing this morning . . .


If you look closely at the fence behind the vehicles, you can see the snow on each and every little metal strand. It is just beautiful and looks like lace.

Would you believe it - it is snowing a bit right now as I type!

This is not a ginormous, heavy snowfall type storm, but it sure is more than a slight dusting. Not really that much snow for us, but there is about 4-6 inches out there!

With all the snow having melted, I was starting to look forward to cleaning and stocking the camper, ha, ha, ha! I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer.

You know, with my saying that we will only get a dusting now and again, do you think that if I say I will only get a little bit of money, that it will grow in comparison to the snow? One flat $100 bill is a slight dusting, and can you imagine 4-6 inches worth of $100 bills . . . Yahooooooooooo! "I'm in the money, I',m in the money . . . well, I can dream, can't I??

Hugs to you all
(and I am staying warm!!)

Bits and pieces . . .

Here are the pictures I promised from the wedding - aren't they a wonderful looking couple?



. . . and this one shows the snow we had. This is in their front yard in town. We had more at my house which is a couple of hundred feet or so higher in elevation. All the pictures I took came out really fuzzy, I got dizzy enough just looking at them - didn't want to subject all of you to it!

Things have been slow here. I read blogs for a while, comment on some. I started a huge puzzle, put the bits & pieces I did get together, took it apart and put it away. I've looked through the Fire Mountain Gems catalog and wished for lots and lots of stuff.

My roommate got a new (to him) vehicle after the horrible roll over he had in the Saturn. 2002 Chevy S-10 with canopy and front tow hitch. It is nice, but as always when you buy a new rig, there was a bit of maintenance that needed to be done - it should be able to hit the Highway now when he's ready to move to Texas. Probably by the end of May . . . boy I will miss him!

I haven't done much crafting, but did pick up a few things when I went to our NEW Michael's!! I love that store!!! Now I just need to get busy.

I dug out a little treasure box that I painted several years ago, see I can really paint! LOL



The chain on the 'watch' goes down the side and around the bottom part of the box, you can just see the tassel behind the lid. The inside is gold. I made it for a giveaway, (that never happened), for the Christmas festival here in town. I think maybe I'll put it up on Etsy when I'm ready to open my shop. It is 1 3/4" tall, 2 1/4" in diameter and the inside depth is 1". Hmmm, I have more boxes I can paint, hmmm . . .

I leave you with this little thought:

A fine is a tax for doing wrong.
A tax is a fine for doing well.

(((Hugs)))