Sewing Wonderful

I finished my hot pads.  These were fun to make.  I have been wanting to practice some cross stitch embroidery, and this was my chance.  I also used up some scrap material.  Hubby will be glad the "pile" is shrinking.

I'll post the other pattern tomorrow.  I had to take another daughter to the doctor, who also ran a fever most of the day and night.  This crazy weather (80° one day and 50° the next) is most likely causing our bad allergy issues and the spread of viruses from their public school.  

No baby goat(s) yet...my daughter said "any day now."

Monday Madness

It was a much colder day here on Monday. Brr!  Temperatures dropped about 20-30 degrees from Friday's temperature.

Monday is my all-out cleaning day, but I had to shampoo a few carpets (thanks to some naughty cats).  I'll have to finish the rest of the house later this week.  However, I was able to get about 4 loads of laundry done, including some of the goodies I bought over the weekend.  Here are a few more items I got:

 

 Here is the sewing box I found at an antique mall.  It's not stained and in great condition.

And because it wouldn't be right to return home without some "bling" (ha ha!) I bought this snazzy pair of pink dangles for $5.00 (also from the antique store).

Accidental Road Trip

I don't think my husband will ever let me crochet in the car again. He he!  We ended up going South vs. East over the weekend, and we had to stop to get directions. 

I trusted myself with my travel journal, and we accidentally, missed the correct exit.  However, it was all good.  

This guy wasn't in a hurry to leave, so he's in my photo (sorry guy).  See that cabinet in the truck?  This is all a funny story.  

We saw this antique store, once we were on the right road to our location.  We decided to stop and have a "look-see."  While we were shopping, and oohing and ahhhing the entire time, this guy came in to buy that large cabinet you see in the truck.  There were two women working, and they were on their phones attempting to get this guy help, but no one was available.  Hubby overheard, and offered to help.  Thankfully, he was there to help him out.  This was in Centerberg, Ohio.  So if you ever get there, you have to stop there.  Oh my goodness!

Prices ranged up and down, as in any antique store, but there were so many things to look at.  We have plans to return there.  

 Next, on the route, we drove through Mt. Vernon, Ohio.  You have to stop here for a meal if you ever get to this town.  This diner has been there for years, but had been closed to renovate.  It had just opened back up, and had delicious food!  Another awesome "accidental" stop.


I won't bore you with an entire post of good deals we found at thrift stores and antique stores, but one thing we bought in Centerberg, Ohio, was a porcelain light switch cover.

Before

After

Isn't it pretty?  It was on sale in a booth for $5.00!  Now I am on the hunt to replace all the covers in my house.  Look out hubby....more road trips!  At the same location I found a makeup case (small luggage case).  However, we could not get it open.  They called the seller, but could not get in touch.  This is one more reason to make a trip back.  I hope, when I call them back tomorrow, they will have found out the combination to open it.  I wish I had taken my camera inside, because there were so many things to put on our wish lists.

At another location, I found small plates to add to our kitchen ware.

We found the plates at a Goodwill store for $.29/each.  They are also made in the USA.  The table cloth underneath it was found at an antique store - $4.79 (40% off sale in one on the booths).

We had a really good time, got a lot of walking in for exercise, including stair climbing, and relaxed too.  We took stairs instead of the elevator in the antique malls, and walked when we could.  

Oh....one of the best parts of all.  At one of the flea markets we went to, there was a woman giving massages.  We booked a ten minute massage for each of us, and felt so relaxed.  I guess the woman did not have one customer the day prior, and another woman was telling us that she was hurting for business.  So, my husband went over and paid for us to get massages - my first massage ever.

There were so many highlights on this trip that I don't now where to end the post.  We found lots of good deals, laughed at our mishap in driving there, ate good food, enjoyed good coffee, and bought locally made items when we could find them.

Monday is my all-out cleaning day, so I better go get some rest....

Tea Time in Tanganyika

Have you ever wondered where the phrase "tea time in Tanganyika" came from?  I have yet to find out.

It's a saying my Dad used to ask me when I got overwhelmed, frustrated, or just plain upset about something.  He'd ask me, "is it tea time in Tanganika?" and I would profess to him "yes!"

Wednesday's "tea time" reminded me of those days, although I was not overwhelmed and frustrated. Having tea on the porch has been a long time enjoyment.  A lot of memories have been, and are, created there.

 A view on my porch 

A view from my porch. . .

... another view from my porch

A Day Off

Although I had a few errands to run, I pretty much took the rest of the day "off" for once.  I didn't even cook.  We enjoyed leftovers - spaghetti and corn on the cob.

 I took the afternoon to catch up on reading and writing both.  Getting "rejections" isn't my problem right now.  I haven't sent out enough to receive rejections.  However, this book is very inspiring and contains many writing exercises.

 Even the barn cats joined me for a relaxing afternoon on the front porch.

 Those jelly beans you see in the photo are made in the USA, do not contain high fructose syrup, and contain real fruit juice.  A girl has to have candy once in a while.

Early Spring

We all thought our winter here was strange.  Now we are shocked over this early spring weather.

My herb gardens are coming in faster this year.  Typically, I would not see my green onions looking this good (and needing thinned out) until April.

Even the chives are looking good in March.

My rosemary even shows signs of life.  In our climate, rosemary cannot withstand winter.  It has to be dug up and brought inside.  With last year's sickness, and stocking up, I never got around to digging it up.  The mild winter may have saved my rosemary plants.

Last year, I planted Swiss chard in my flower beds and herb gardens.  It is already coming up.  I planted some close to the house, so I could just walk out and pick some for breakfast dishes (and treat the female goats a few times).

Speaking of goats, my 15 year-old wants to plant a "goat garden" this year for her goats.  Then she can pick fresh produce to treat them.

...and speaking of my 15 year-old, she is back in school today.  Despite a horrible sore throat, bad cough, and not feeling well, we was diagnosed with a virus.  The strep test came back negative.    The good part is that she won't have to take antibiotics.  The bad part is that she will have to ride out the sickness.  Hopefully, she'll be over it soon.

After the flood

You can see the mud splatters on my daffodils.  The sun is shining and the flooding is over.


Short post today.....15 year-old daughter has been running a 102° fever all weekend.  


Have a Blessed Day!