Torture Pure TortureThoughts: I have always hated shopping for jeans. Do any of you agree? Too short, too tight, to wide, too low waisted, too long, just tooo hard to find the right fit. I have discovered something worse! Swimsuit shopping! I was strongly urged by my daughter that it was time to throw away my swinsuit from the 90s and get something a little more stylish. First of all, it doesn't matter how stylish the suit was, on this 51 years old body... the thought makes me shudder.

I mustered up my courage and went to the mall. I wandered from store to store, fingering through the swimsuits. I just could not bring myself to try one on. I left empty handed. I was passing the shade store on the way to the grocery store, and convinced myself to stop and see what they had to offer. I told myself that I was just going to pick one and buy it. I stood in front of the suits, closed my eyes, pointed my finger, turned around twice, opened my eyes and took the one that I was pointing at up to the register and bought it. YES, I did it!

Once back home I tried it on. With a little lifting, tucking and rolling, it fit just fine, well, it fit good enough, especially with the oversized T-shirt over the top. I am ready to take a dip.

Things: The best part of my trip to the mall was the stop at the SEE's candy shop. A molasses chip, a dark nougat and a milk patty can always make me feel better. I put them in my scottie dog dish , I am sure they won't be there for long.

Plenty of pins

Thoughts about things: Over the memorial weekend I did a little antique shopping. I found this old roll of pins and was intriqued by them. For just 5.oo I brought them home. I can always use more pins. Then again, I probably will not use them, just keep them as they are.




Making a new pin cushion was the next order of business. I saw this pattern on another blog. As usual, I can't remember which blog it was, but I will search inside this forgetful mind and try to find it if anyone is interested.


I just used scraps that I had. Red wool on the bottom.


Topped it with this little wood figurine. Kinda quirky!
Fun and easy to make. Great little gift to have on hand when you need a little something special for someone.

For the little people

Thoughts about things: Grandmas just need to have a little table and chairs for the grandkids. This yellow childs table is from the 50s. I bought these old school chairs for 2.oo each and painted them red. Yes, of course with spray paint. (for plastic)

My friend gave me a set of 4 tony the tiger plates for my birthday last year.

They're Grrreat!

I found this little vintage tray last week and had to have it!


It is perfect to serve cookies on, for the little people.

A day to remember

Thoughts: Memorial day, a day to pay tribute to those brave souls who have given their lives in fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy. To them and their families I thank you with deep appreciation and love.

To my many family members who have passed away, I think of you today and miss you. I know I will see you again... until then, know that I love you and keep a special place in my heart for you.

Things: I got up early this morning to trim and clean up our little dogs head stone. His name was Tucker D. He is buried under our peach tree in the back yard. He was the best little doggy, I miss him. I know I will see him again too.

I often say to my Hubby that I would like another dog. He says, "We already have one, buried in the back yard. Just the kind of dog I like."

Happy Memorial Day

ready for summer

The little pool house is cleaned and ready for business, bathroom business, that is...

My little garden girl will watch over my

mini garden, coaxing things to grow

a shady spot to sit and enjoy a summer day

Inside the small pool house bathroom

for all the little angel swimmers...

birds and berries Thoughts about things: With mixed feelings, this sampler is finished and ready to be framed.

I always love the process yet enjoy the finished result.

On to my next project...

Thoughts: If I look at music, I can plunk out a few notes with my right hand. Those saturday morning piano lessons as a kid, did not pay off. Besides the fact that I did not practice during the week, I thought my mother was torturing me as she woke me up at the crack of dawn, (well it seemed like it) for our lessons.

I will never forget the humiliation as I began playing "Chestnuts roasting on the open fire" at our christmas recital and could not get past the first few lines. The teacher had to come sit by me and help me through it! My mother was the one that was most humiliated, I am sure. All the other students played their prepared pieces beautifully. Maybe because they PRACTICED! My piano lessons came quickly to an end.

Maybe I should take lessons again...they say though, that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, hummm, I think I will just continue sewing...

When talents were being passed out in heaven, I am sure I was in the wrong line because I was talking too much and not paying attention.

Things: I am just about finished on a sampler. I thought I would give you a peek of some of it.

Just Clowning around Thoughts about things: I have been cleaning up the back porch, getting it ready for summer.

This old hutch from the 1950s holds paper products,outdoor dishes, sun screen and lots of swim diapers, ready for summer time fun.

My clown cookie jar is a perfect place to put iced animal cookies

This vintage circus tray is perfect to use for breakfast in bed.

When I was young and had to stay home for school because I was sick, I always wanted my mom to bring me breakfast in bed on a tray.

Alice always did it for Jan, Marsha and Cindy.

This vintage salt and pepper set are one of my absolute favorite things!

My neighbor scanned the little clown and made a winyl sticker that I put on the crib in my baby room

rubber ducky and all Thoughts: One of the sweet pleasures of motherhood is bathing a baby.

Watching them play and splash in the water.

Wrapping and cuddling them in their soft hooded towel.

Smoothing baby lotion over their soft skin.

Kissing their little hands and toes as you dress them.

Putting a little curl in their hair with your fingers.

There is nothing better than the smell of a baby.

I loved every minute of it this morning as I bathed my baby granddaughter.

Things: I like to collect old trays and tins. They add a little burst of color to your decorating. Great to use in any room of your house.

A pinch and a dash

Thoughts: This has always puzzled me, just how much is a pinch?

These recipes of dear Grandma's surely are no cinch.

A "snip" of this, a "dab" of that, a "lump" of something else,

Then "beat it for a little while" or, "Stir until it melts"

I have to be a wizard to decipher what she meant,

By all these strange proportions in her cookbook worn and bent.

How much nutmeg in the doughnuts? Grandma wouldn't flinch,

As she said, with twinkling eyes, "Oh, just about a pinch."

There must have been in her wise head a measuring device,

That told her just how much to use of sugar, salt and spice.

Things: Chocolate Bundt Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix with pudding

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup applesauce

1/4 cup oil

3/4 cup water

4 eggs

dash of salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, sour cream, applesauce, oil, water, dash of salt, mix well. Add eggs, mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour in a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake 350 for 35-40 minutes (use toothpick test). Cool 15 minutes before removing from pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or frost.

* * * *

Satiny Chocolate Glaze

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

3 tablespoons of butter

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

microwave approximately 45 seconds or until chips are melted

Home is where I like to be

Thoughts: 'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam

Be is ever so humble, there's no place like home

Things: A fun and productive pickles retreat to the cabin this past weekend.

This quilt was challenging for all of us. There are 23 small pieces to each house block. 506 house pieces all together. On friday it was a sewing marathon. 11 hours of straight sewing, stopping long enough for some nourishment, and plenty of it! Saturday morning we sewed for another 3 hours. We finally had to clean up and come home

Already planning our next retreat...

Girls only

Thoughts: Quilt pattern and fabric chosen

Weekend bag is packed

Menu planned, with plenty of snacks

Truck loaded with sewing machines

8 pickle quilt members ready to go

Off to the cabin for a weekend of sewing, talking, eating, laughing, and bonding as pickle members.

Happy Mothers Day to us and you!

Things: Red work sampler project finally finished and ready to be framed.

One more unfinished project done.