happy birthday kristie!

i hope you are "batting 1000" today :)

one more time

well, it was only a matter of time. you've heard my {sigh} adoring comments about ami james, and chef tom colicchio - mostly because they are bald and cute.

but I SWEAR i noticed this guy for his personality first. really.

it's tv season again, and i'm watching the next iron chef on food network. i love the whole iron chef series. i wish we could still watch the original series, because that is classic. and funny. but the "new" iron chef, featuring american chefs, is still pretty good.

i am SO rooting for the abovementioned contestant. michael symon. sure, he's bald and cute, but he is also nicer than most of the chefs, and i think he is kind of a bad boy chef with a good heart. i like that. i'm also pretty sure he is going to win.

i'm ALSO pretty sure i could use some therapy over this particular fascination :)

colors of the day

lovin' UO

look at the great headline that was in my "inbox" this morning.

sometimes, they are woefully short of taste, but this was pretty good.

i'll have some of that.

it's no secret to anybody, especially my pants, that i'm gaining weight at an alarming rate. thing is, i just want to eat food. lots and lots of food. so what's a girl to do, right? yes. cook and feed the beast. hey, it's winter (almost).

anyway, found this recipe a couple days ago. it seems so REGULAR, but still kind of intriguing. i wonder if any more "seasoned" cooks than me ( you know who you are) might offer suggestions/substitutions to gourmet this up?

and yes, i am thinking the whole stick of butter probably should go....!

ah, that hits the SPOT

why is it the sun feels "sunnier" in late october than it does in mid july?

doh.

a couple of days ago, i started feeling a "twinge" in my neck. i figured i slept wrong, so did not think about it much! it did not go away, and yesterday as the day wore on, i found that my ability to move my head became more and more limited. and ouchey! it hurt.

thanks to my sweetie, who i swear has had every injury known to man, i got some good therapy. he held my shoulders and made me twist my head to each side to stretch it out. then i got some ibuprofen and a pack of frozen peas. 15 minutes with the peas, 5 minutes with the heating pad (no more, although it felt REALLY good)!

also, he tried hard not to laugh. he gets extra points for that :)

anyway, it still hurts today, but i took some ibuprofen and will get out the peas later if i need them.

tell me when it starts to be FUN to be 45?????!

sheesh.

autumn soup

i thought i'd post my recipe for "autumn soup" here, because i heated some up for dinner tonite, and it is SO yummy....always better the 2nd day.

anyway, i did not remember to take a pic before it was devoured, but when i googled it, i found the EXACT photo from the betty crocker recipe card file my mom had. man, you can find anything on the internet!

here's the recipe, i substitute alot, so i'll explain that too...

1 Lb. ground beef
1 C. chopped onion
4 C. water
1 C. cut-up carrots
1 C. diced celery - did not have, so i skipped this, and added more carrots.
1 C. cubed -- pared potatoes
2 Tsp. salt
1 Tsp. bottled brown bouquet sauce - hmmm. didn't do this either.
1/4 Tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf - did not do this either, i put about a tsp. of organic seasoning (mrs. dash would probably work).
1/8 Tsp. basil
6 tomatoes** - i used a small can of diced tomatoes, and a couple of cans of water

In large saucepan, cook and stir meat until brown. Drain fat off. Cook and stir onions with meat until onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients, except tomatoes; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes. Add tomatoes; cover and simmer 10 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. Makes 6 servings.

i just threw everything in the crockpot and let it go for about half a day...

so yummy!!!!! i guess i said that already, didn't i?

if carey were in the tshirt business...

(again),

i'm thinking this would be one of her designs.
because we all know she thinks....

SIDE HUGS RULE.

sunny sun sun

whhhhhhhheeeee.
more sun today.

so cute, look at the little pink flowers still blooming right next to the mini pumpkins.

oh, i wish this would LAST. forever. or maybe even another week.

:)

thing i did this weekend

oh. what a lovelerly weekend i had. most of it was spent on this little beauty. i could not decide what colors to make it, so i'm making it all colors :) ha. anyway, one of the best things about crocheting a blanket is that you get to sit under it while you work. which is nice on a chilly fall day. i'm enjoying sort of "making up" little color combos as i go. although it does just sort of look like a giant rainbow, doesn't it??? still, i hope i don't drop the ball on this project, i need to finish it up so that i can use it this winter! in case you wonder, phil doesn't mind all of this craftiness, although at one point he said "what ELSE are you going to do this weekend?"

ha.

actually, i did enjoy a few other things:

• planting tulips with the warm sun shining down on me, so that i could drink it in
• baking bread and making "autumn" soup, a favorite recipe from childhood
• having a "girls" night with kristie, and waking up with a sore throat from chatting so much
• worshipping and praising God for His kindness and for all He has given to me
• staying away from the computer for two whole days.

hope you all had a great weekend too :)

pumpkin treat bags

oops, forgot directions for the treat bags.

these are made from plain paper bags - just look for orange ones....and green floral tape. put treats in bag, "scrunch" it, start wrapping tape around scrunched "neck" from top down, and end with a little "tendril" that you make with the tape.

the blog i saw this on said that they bought the supplies at Michael's...
happy crafting!

punkin love

whew.

the sun is out and i am feeling alive again.

one thing i wanted to share with you mommy types, or even you people who work with a bunch of children, or those of you who make treats for bible studies, etc. whatever. if you like pumpkins, you might like this little item i saw on a craft blog. it originated from, who else, MARTHA.

cute, huh?
i think it would be a great way for moms like Carey to impress her son's teacher by sending these with him for his class!

happy day all, hope the sun is shining on you as well!

i'll do this one

http://www.hourlylaff.com/15-amazing-ways-to-tie-your-sneakers

okay, this is kind of a funky thing!
let's all be rad and do our shoes in a new cool way.


:)

did you know

that the amount of information that someone born in the late 17th century accumulated in their LIFETIME could be contained in ONE ISSUE of the Wall Street Journal on a weekday? Not the weekend, that would be two or three people's accumulated lifetime knowledge.

and we still wonder why we cannot remember where we put our checkbook?

God help us! Please!

getting to the heart

i'm restless today.

i've been restless for awhile but i find it's getting worse, not better. that's why i am asking for prayer, from those of you who would go to God on my behalf.

lots of stuff to ask for, but here's the biggie. my worship group (a wonderful group of women - we've been meeting in some form or another the entire time i have been a christian) is now doing a new "thing" - moving into prophetic prayer by studying a woman named patricia king.

http://www.extremeprophetic.com/

this is not a quick decision. gradually the Lord has been showing us where he wants us to be. and i really truly know in my heart that this direction is His will.

problem is, my will is getting in the way. i am NOT feeling like i can participate in this study. we are seeking God for signs and wonders, for prophetic gifts, for authority to heal, and for a deeper walk into His will for the world in these last of days.

i believe in all of these things, and i sincerely wish i was "there" in my spirit. but what i feel is tired, backslid, sinful, very very "in the flesh" and needing of a brokenness so that i can be what God wants?! does that make sense?

i have been slovenly in my spiritual habits, which is why i am feeling this way. i know there is forgiveness in Christ, but i no sooner repent and give it to the Lord, than i stand up and do my own thing again!

so, i ask for strength. and a desire that keeps me with Him, not without Him. and for the "weight" around my neck to fall. and for a real clear message from the Lord about whether or not i should continue with this study.

thanks for prayin.' i will keep you posted about the answer.

ps, my bible reading this morning was from Jeremiah 30. the following passages particularly struck my heart....

Why do you cry out over your wound,
your pain that has no cure?
Because of your great guilt and many sins
I have done these things to you.

But I will restore you to health
and heal your wounds,'
declares the LORD,
because you are called an outcast,
Zion for whom no one cares.'

This is what the LORD says:
" 'I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents
and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
and the palace will stand in its proper place.

From them will come songs of thanksgiving
and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers,
and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honor,
and they will not be disdained.

Their children will be as in days of old,
and their community will be established before me;
I will punish all who oppress them.

Their leader will be one of their own;
their ruler will arise from among them.
I will bring him near and he will come close to me,
for who is he who will devote himself
to be close to me?'
declares the LORD.

" 'So you will be my people,
and I will be your God.' "

killin' time

just spent almost an hour here.

http://www.cuteoverload.com/

oh. my. goodness.
happy has a domain name!

vested interest

ha. i love it when the cliche works....vested interest. riiiiiiiiiight.

well, today i am officially jumpin' on the vest bandwagon. all the cool women have them (anne, carey, kristie, you know who you are).

the thing is, even though mine is awesome, reversible pink and brown, with a touch of my homemade attached, i still feel slightly silly. i'm either too cold (arms, outside, yikes!) or far too hot (premenopause, down filled, do i take it off?)

so - to you cool girls, how do i wear this? is there a trick?
i so need to know.


:)

thanks kristie

for telling me about my new very favorite song.

i wish i was a size 14

i'm still searching for a good idea for a wedding dress. so i got excited when one of my craft blogs pointed to this pattern they have on ebay this morning. size 14.

sounded perfect til i checked the small print on the listing:

McCalls 6571 old sizing 14, Bust 34", waist 26", hip 36".

oh, to be a size 14 again.
:(

i love little people

little people, big world, that is.

i especially love zach, the teen boy in the show, who despite being a little person is pretty much just an average 15 year old. they always show him looking pensive (who ever SAYS that, but it fits here), which of course is probably all just editing, but it makes me like him. and i also like his mom Amy, who is pretty much NOT like a tv mom, but more like my own mom. i get the feeling she doesn't change it up much, tv show or no. and for some reason, i am not left with the measure of guilt that i feel when i watch LA Ink.

anyway, tonite is the big debut of the new season on tlc.

yesterday, because it was cold and rainy and sunday and i didn't feel so hot, i spent much of the afternoon and evening on the couch watching a marathon of the show.

too bad i have my bible study tonite. withdrawal is gonna be tough.

happy Monday all!

attack of the morning glories

I planted morning glories in may, a little mound of seeds right by my pole beans on the big bean wigwams that i bought in the wintertime (see the early photo).

all summer, no morning glories. oh, the vines were growing fine. up and up and over and finally overtaking the beans that were sitting nicely in their assigned seats.

now here we are in mid-october, the days are numbered, and all of the other plants are holding on to the few days of life they have left with courtesy and sort of a tired look.

except for the morning glories. which have not only decided to bloom, but also to over take anything that is standing in their way. guess it's a good thing i wasn't seated in my funky adirondack chair, huh?

sun beams

yesterday i was so so happy inside. i just liked the air, and the color of the sky. so i went back into my little photo file from this year, and i found a couple of pics. WOW. what a difference a few months makes! these photos are taken with the same camera at the same time of day! although the first photo is pleasant and tidy and made me very happy at the time, the second one is more reckless and wild and so saturated with color i cannot stand it! i think this is evidence of what makes fall good.

have a colorful day!

free radio

http://somafm.com/recent/?bootliquor

i love this whole idea of internet radio. it took me awhile to get the hang of it - but it's wonderful to find cool stations.

this morning i'm listening to some "american roots music" from a station called boot liquor. he he. why is it that those of us who like this kind of music are presumed to drink too much? anyhoo.

johnny cash, the supersuckers, bottle rockets, lyle lovett, and alison krause...good fun.

playing around

yesterday when the weather started to take a turn toward COLD, i got out the yarn and started playing around.

made a cute little flower for my new "oh so favorite" target sweater.

more of these to come!

:)

a day to remember

today was a good day.

i got to wake up to a big ole mug of coffee (albeit fake) and work with a big fluffy cat laying on my keyboard.

i got to sit out in the sun at lunchtime, and feel the warmth on my face for awhile longer before it fades away for the next few months.

i got to go shopping with my best friend for, of all things, words. just because both of us like them, i guess. i think she was especially struck by some of the ones we found. but i came home with some for my office wall, too.





i got to sit with my sweetie, and laugh, and dream a bit about our future together. i still cannot quite believe my fortune in finding him.

i got to pray for a very special friend, to a Lord i believe will hear me, and answer her in her time of need.

i got to end the day, still here in the glow of my macmonitor, hearing the rain hit my window, and wondering what tomorrow will hold.

yep. it was a good day.

yikes

yesterday i had one of those hard reality moments that hits you every once in awhile.

in a surprise move to everyone, including myself, i decided to go work out.

see, i've known i NEED to work out for awhile now. in a moment of absolute insanity 6 years ago, i quit my job and quit running in the very same week. the last time i went on a real, serious run was november of 2001. i was actually in dallas, tx, visiting friends at the time. nothing was too memorable about the run, except that i saw a dead armadillo on the road i was on.

okay, i digress. back to yesterday. our church is having some 10 week fitness challenge that sounded EASY in the bulletin. i skipped going on monday (i work, what do you think, that i have free time during the day?!) and then my 60 year old friend called me on tuesday and said it was a good workout. so, i figured i might as well try it too. that's me, not wanting to be outdone by a lady who could be my mom (she's the one who got me to jump off that cliff in the black hills this summer also). but it's not too much pressure to go work out with a bunch of 60 year olds (including my PASTOR), right?

ohforcryingoutloud. OFCOL for short. my BUTT was kicked! there are 60 year olds (quite a few of them, actually) in MUCH better shape than me! at one point, i thought i would vomit. there were 16 "stations" set up around the gym of the school attached to the church, weight stations alternating with aerobic stations. SIXTEEN stations. and bonnie, the pastor's daughter, who is a certified personal trainer and i THOUGHT a very nice woman, was our coach. she sweetly said that we were going to move from station to station, and do the activity until she blew the whistle. by the time i got around to nearing the end of those 16 stations is when the overwhelming feeling of DYING came over me.

i'd like to say it phased bonnie, and that she had mercy on me and let me quit. but she told me to walk twice around the gym to get my breath back, and then we had to do ANOTHER SET, only for half as long. the torturous hour ended with all of us on these little yoga mats, bending in ways my body has never bent. even THAT was miserable.

doh. wish me luck, i signed up for 9 more weeks of this, and i am hoping it takes a long long time to get to next monday.

sewing. is. hard.

there. had to try karen's cool "period" technique. that felt good.

so, last night i decided to try a project from the new sewing book. look at the beautiful pictures of the project in the book!



now look at my finished product.



you know, it actually looks pretty good in blog land. but in REAL LIFE, it's lumpy and misshaped, there is fuzzy filling coming out on one side, the little points don't all come together, and dang, i about killed myself trying to stab the needle thru the thing with the embroidery thread. finally went and got a VICE GRIP from my dad's emergency tool box to finish it up. they don't tell you you're gonna need one of those in any sewing books.

corgi cuteness

i added a new link over on the left side of my blog, for "Posie Gets Cozy"

i just started reading this one, and i love this woman. i get the feeling she and i would be friends, i know, that is silly.

anyway, here's her video of her new corgi puppy. that is almost more cuteness than i can STAND :)

new inspiration

as i embark upon this new creative journey of being a seamstress, i am finding i need to get some books for inspiration. back in the day, i looked longingly in the mail for my next copy of HOW or PRINT or Communication Arts. those are trade pubs for graphic artists, and they really are fun to look at.

nowadays, i look for different kinds of reading material. today i got this little lovely in the mail. i'm all about ordering from the 2nd hand vendors from amazon. you can save $$, but still get these designerly super cool reads.

oh. can hardly wait to try one of these new projects!!!!!!