First Day of Fall is here
September 21, 2009 in Crafts, Creativity, Friendship, Home, Well-Being
There’s always a period of mourning as you anticipate the ending of another summer. Don’t they go faster every year that passes? Probably the best distraction from this mourning is enjoying the most beautiful season of all - which is Fall.
A great way to commemorate the Equinox event (Sept 22) is a Hunting and Gathering adventure walk. It is almost time for putting out your Autumn décor which is always enhanced by a potpourri of natural elements. Pick a crisp, sunny day to invite your walking buddy to head out to a nearby park.
With large baskets on your arms, start gathering pretty leaves, pinecones, acorns, twigs or anything else nature leaves on the ground for you. While sipping on some hot, orange spice tea, get inspired to start your Fall decorating with your hand picked elements from Nature.
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Gifts for a Gardener
June 29, 2009 in Crafts, Creativity, Decorating, Gardening, Home, Scrapbooking
Are your gardening friends just loving spending every waking moment in their garden or are they feeling a little overwhelmed by endless weeding?
Either way, whether it’s a summer birthday or a sweetly timed “just because” gift,
your favorite gardener will squeal with detail if they are a recipient of one of the following.
The Garden sign is all purpose for anyone, but could be customized by changing to a first or last name. The clipboard is a cheery way to review your gardening chores. Keep the dirt at bay and look like a million when you sport this vinyl covered Garden apron. Deliver your gift in an all purpose Garden pail, tied with a bow and attached seed packets.
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What are your plans?
March 19, 2009 in Crafts, Creativity, Decorating, Home, QuiltingMarch is National Craft Month. I was curious to know how it was being celebrated. We checked out JoAnn Fabric Stores Facebook page and learned the plans of fellow crafters - Pretty impressive.
Jennifer Anderson Christopher "I'm taking a sewing class to make a reusable shopping bag" :) :)
Great idea Jennifer – you can create your own customized bag that you’ll be proud to carry.
Melody 'Chaffin' Coehoorn "Work on Christmas gifts"
You’ll be way ahead of the rest of us!
Brenda L Thomas "I'm trying a new craft and picking up an old craft again. Making my first no sew fleece throw and going back to cross stitching!"
Once you make your first fleece throw, you’ll be hooked.
Lois Dwyer "Turning an office into a den/crafting room. Can't wait to have a permanent place for my sewing machine. It won't be hiding in the closet any more!"
Time to come out of the closet!
Sandi Alcantara "I actually want to sew some spring and summer outfits for me! i am also working on some layette and receiving blankets for our local pregnancy center and I am working on some other items for a few nursing homes in the area.
Sandi – You’ve got great plans to build the spirits of others along with your own all in one month – more than most of us can say.
Sonya Young Quertermous "I'm taking the Sewing 101 class this Saturday! I'm really excited and I have my eye on a machine already :)"
You’ll never regret learning the basics.
Jenny Fendt "I would love to try the one stroke painting class, always wanted to never had the time."
There’s no better time than now.
Debbie Kinnamon Chapman "I got some things to put my organized photos in...and then going to scrap all weekend (hopefully while my husband finishes the drywall in my craft room)."
Kudos to your hubby.
Jen Fox-Williams "Online patterns!"
I hope you check ours out – we’ve got lots and they’re all FREE.
Amy Sumner Sessions "By making homemade items for our brave men and women overseas in the Armed Forces!" www.hats4heroes.org
I commend you. Your efforts will be so appreciated.
It’s National Craft Month, what are your plans?
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Girls Weekend Itinerary
July 1, 2008 in Friendship, HomeWhen I entertain my organizational neurosis often surface. And this last weekend, I was hosting three of my girlfriends in Spokane for a Girl's weekend. I emailed them the plan ahead of time and we kept a copy on hand to make sure we were "on schedule." Compare my pre-meditated schedule to what actually happened:
Friday evening
6:00ish Gayle and Andrea blow into town (slightly road weary, but still high from their last Root Beer Float) Naturally, they were a little late, but made sure they worked in their floats- 6:05ish After Gayle & Andrea wash the dirt off their faces (after a top down drive) and Deb fills the ice bucket for the first round of G&T’s and Hot Crab Dip.(now one of my stand-by recipes - but I modify it a little each time I serve it) Gayle took charge at the ice bucket
6:30 Optional: Quick cool-down swim We opt, not.- 7:00 Dinner Menu: Grilled Chicken, Healthy green salad w/cilantro, multi-grain bread and cookies for dessert. We ate about an hour late and were too full for dessert - and Pepperidge Farm worked so hard baking those cookies!
- 8:00 Bedrooms are assigned: Andrea in the den, Gayle in Murphy’s room (sans Murphy, of course), Jan in the guest room
- 9:45 Murphy’s Chauffeur Services are employed – Driver (Murphy & co-pilot, Anna) head to airport to pick up Jan (she's an O.R. nurse and had to work all day)
- 10:45 Jan is delivered to the house, Deb immediately brings her a glass of wine Jan's too pooped for wine. Chit-chat ‘til midnight.
- 12:00am Nighty-night We feel our age now - can barely stay awake 'til midnight - yawn!
Saturday
8-9:00 Walks for those who feel like it Okay, so NO-ONE felt like it. It was more fun sitting around in our jammies and visiting over coffee - 8-12:00 Pool-side Self-serve breakfast- Coffee, blueberry bagels, cream cheese, fruit salad Alternate taking showers
- 12-1:00 Pack Picnic Lunch
1:00- 4 Head to Arbor Crest Winery for a Tasting (Deb unintentionally takes the scenic route - luckily no one realizes this) Picnic: Savingnon Blanc is our agreed purchase for lunch, smoked salmon, cream cheese & crackers,left-over chicken, green grapes, carrot & celery sticks
4-5:00 Stop at Nordstrom to buy Andrea a new wardrobe Former CFO, Andrea, says "No, it's not in the budget" - Instead we go back to the house for an afternoon swim - pure heaven. No one can tell I've had pool problems - until I start whining. A little more sympathy wouldn't have hurt!
7:-10:00 Dinner reservations at Ella’s (dinner & Jazz club) Murphy is once again our driver (he's broke and will do anything to earn a few bucks) After dinner we head to the Davenport Hotel for a nightcap - just so we can say we went bar-hopping. Gayle & I are big fans and we make everyone listen to Joni Mitchell on the car ride back. Once again, we can barely stay up 'til midnight.
Sunday
- 9:00 Self-serve breakfast – more of same. Everyone sleeps in and shows up with our swimsuits on to enjoy a morning float in the pool.
10-11:30 Craft Time – Outdoor Beaded Votives (this months craft project on our website) As much as everyone "says" they wanted to do the project - in fact they were earning beads (all former Campfire Girls) by helping Deb clear dishes, etc.......they preferred more time in the pool.- Noon Airport Transport Since the chauffer is sleeping in - Deb takes Jan to the airport. Meanwhile, Gayle & Andrea discover that I am preparing to have a Garage Sale in the near future - they snap up more than a few treasures to take home with them.
3:00 - Gayle, Andrea and Deb try to stuff everyone's purchases in Gayle's VW Beattle - just barely fits. (we had to cut Andrea off from more shopping) They hit the road!- 3:05 - I crash in my Recliner.
Was a great weekend!
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Oh the joys of a backyard pool!
June 27, 2008 in Home
About 13-14 years ago, I thought it would be such a great idea to have a pool in the backyard – WHAT was I thinking? I guess I do vaguely remember what I was thinking when I dig deep – “happy kids splashing in clear blue water and me sipping ice tea poolside.”
And really the first ten years were pretty good – but an older pool is kind of like a middle aged woman – “it’s always something – and if it’s not one thing, it’s two!” I just realized my pool may be in menopause. – but it’s giving me the mood swings!
I’m trying to get ready for summer guests and parties and they now have expectations for Mumm Resort...a heated, clear, clean pool and lots of refreshments. If it wasn’t for elusive leaks, breaking in a new “pool boy,” enormous heating bills (I like it at 92 degrees) and if I wasn’t completely inept as managing my PH levels – I’d be floating on a cloud (or even better, an air mattress).
We’re set for a 90+degree weekend and the “girls” are coming over from Seattle. After a month of trying to solve my “pool issues” - hopefully the christening of the pool season will convince me once again that it is all worth it. Ask me again after our first round of Gin & tonic!
