Sherri's Jubilee

Thank Goodness for Weekends!!

2012-02-17T10:54:00.000-08:00

I am so glad it is Friday and I only have a few hours at work left. This week has been really busy and I'm tired! I was up so late last night worrying about some things with regard to the new house and I got up extra early this a.m. worrying about the same things! I am worry for nothing I'm sure, just it is a big step (one that we want) in building a house. We are both really excited and I'm sure everything will just work out. Keep me in your prayers on this big, big decision!!

ETSY SHOP CHANGE!!

2012-02-16T06:11:00.001-08:00

(Blushing Bride Pearl Earrings on my etsy site)

I received so many lovely e-mails from people asking me not to close my Etsy shop that I have decided to keep it open after all! I really thank all those people who reached out and asked me to reconsider. I have decided to keep it a little more simpler and not take on any custom orders. I love to create jewelry and other items and the custom orders really take alot of time and have time constraints. In the next few days and weeks I will be making some more sparklies for my shop! I might also be adding some more knitted items, such as dishcloths made from cotton and some scarves, handbags and other small knitted items.

Again I want to thank all my past customers for all their support and future customers! Without all of you I wouldn't have a shop on etsy.

**I will still ship shop items to people in other countries, they just need to e-mail me asking me to do so. I just don't want to leave that open all the time. There would be a small shipping adjustment too, but it can be done. Thanks!

Our Valentine Dinner

2012-02-14T18:47:00.001-08:00

Tonight John and I had a wonderful Valentine Dinner. We started out with this:

Shrimp Cocktail is our favorite appetizer!

Then we moved on to Fettucini Alfredo with Shrimp, fresh bread and iced tea.

The Valentine Flowers were so pretty. I put white daisies together with bright red tulips. Here are some photos I took of them:

I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day. John and I certainly did!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!!

2012-02-13T18:13:00.002-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!!

I was trying to think of something to post about for Valentine's Day. I came up with some lovely pictures and I thought I would share them with you!

(All photos via pinterest.com)

Famous Couples

Scarlett and Rhett

Prince William and Princess Kate

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

Everyone have a really nice Valentine's Day!!

Beautiful Red and White!

2012-02-10T14:25:00.000-08:00

(Photo via etsy.com)

I have always loved red and white! I don't know why but February always makes me think red and white. Not just because it is Valentine's Day in the month of January, I think it is because when i lived in the North everything was so white (from snow) and gray this time of year and I would put some things out that were red to brighten things up. I went on pinterest.com and found some beautiful photos of red and white that I thought I would share with you!

I love all of these bed linens. Just gorgeous!!

There is a very Vintage look about this red and white bathroom.

Red and White dishes are just beautiful for this time of year. I love this vignette!

Red and Checked Chair-just beautiful!

This photo is one of my favorites! The white swan is so stark white against the lush red boat.

Who doesn't love red and white polka dots! This pitcher makes a wonderful vase for the luscious red tulips!

Anyone would be gorgeous in this red and white gown.

This time of year red cardinals really stand out against the white snow.

Vintage dresses are always gorgeous and this red one is a beauty!

I love white cupboard and the red and white dishes in this one is fabulous!!

Hope these photos from pinterst.com got you in the Valentine's Day mood!! Have a great weekend!

I have made a decision to simplify my life!

2012-02-08T07:47:00.000-08:00

I have had an etsy site for many years now. I make and sell jewelry. I love to create different things like jewelry, knitting, painting, stained glass, etc. I have come to a time in my life though that I would like to simplify it a little more. I have decided to give up my etsy site. I have thought long and hard on this for the past month and I have prayed about it. It is time. I will still be making jewelry for gifts, for my family and myself but I won't be having the site anymore.

This decision is a good thing, not a bad thing. I feel like I have had a weight lifted off me just typing this. My job is extremely stressful and I work long hours.

I will have the shop open until the end of the month and then it will no longer be on etsy. So if there is anything you were eyeing for a gift or for yourself, please order it now.

I would like to thank everyone for all your orders, support, lovely comments and for the friendships I have formed (which can continue!!).

Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Cake-YUM!!!

2012-02-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

I saw this recipe on pinterest.com. I made it on Sunday morning for our Super Bowl Gathering. I figured with the yogurt as one of the ingredients it would be super moist-it is! I figured with fresh strawberries it would be awesome-it is!

Butter in my stainless steel mixing bowl.

Here is a grouping of all the ingredients for this cake.

I love strawberries and these tasted so good!

I love putting eggs in bowls and taking photos of them. I just love eggs!!

Here is the recipe:

Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Cake

2 sticks butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
4 Tb. lemon juice, divided
zest of 1 lemon
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour-divided
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
8 oz. plain yogurt
12 oz. fresh strawberries, diced
1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10" Bundt pan. Sift together the
2 1/4 cups of flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in lemon zest and set aside.

With a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat
in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 Tb. lemon juice. Alternate beating in
flour mixture and yogurt, mixing just until incorporated.

Toss the strawberries with the remaining 1/4 cup of flour. Gently mix them into
the batter.

Pour the batter into the Bundt pan. Bake for 60 minutes, or until done.

Allow to cool 20 minutes in the pan (I would wait a little longer), then turn on
wire rack and cool completely. Whisk together 3 Tb. of lemon juice and powdered
sugar. Drizzle over the top of the cake. Enjoy!!

I Finished my Mobius Scarf!

2012-02-04T16:19:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my Mobius Scarf I was knitting out of Noro yarn. I love the colors of this yarn and the fact that there is angora in it! Here are some more pictures:

I was really pleased the way it came out! On to the next project!

A Nice Surprise in the Garden

2012-02-04T03:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday after work I went outside to refill the bird feeders. While I was walking to the one feeder something caught my eye and made me smile-my Lenten Rose was blooming! I had forgotten all about this little plant in its container but mother nature worked her magic again and made her bloom! I didn't have my camera handy so I am posting a few pictures off google.com to show you what mine looks like.

There are many stories about the Lenten Rose, Christmas Rose or Hellebores. Some involve witchcraft, an old legend says it sprouted in the snow from the tears of a young girl who had no gift to give the Christ child in Bethlehem, another story says during the Siege of Kirrha in 585 BC, hellebore was reportedly used by the Greek besiegers to poison the city's water supply, whatever the stories are I just love that my Lenten Rose greets me every spring since I bought it! Just lovely!!

All things Pink for Valentine's Day!

2012-02-02T13:27:00.000-08:00

I was looking at all the beautiful pictures on pinterest.com today and I thought I would share some of them with you:

(All Photos are via Pinterest.com)

Don't you just love the color of these roses!! I love this heart!!

Love the pink ruffle cake in the background. The pink macaroons looks so beautiful on that cake plate!

What a pretty vase of pale pink peonies.

I love this pink cupcake. I might get Megan to make some for Valentines Day!

I love that this person put the flowers on the front door, but even more I love they put a brooch on the outside of the container! Love that idea!

Hope I gave you some ideas for your Valentine's Day decorating!

Learned a new thing today!

2012-01-29T15:23:00.000-08:00

I always love when I learn something new and today was the day! I learned how to do Broomstick Lace! I have a really pretty yarn that is variegated with all the colors on a peacock! Here is a picture of the yarn-it is made by Universal and it is called Reef.

(Photo via Jimmy Bean's Wool website)

If you don't know what broomstick lace is, here are 2 pictures I found one on pinterest and the other on google.

(Photo via pinterest.com)

(Photo via Google.com)

You use a size 35 US Knitting Needle and you pretty much crochet and add loops to this huge knitting needle. Then you take 5 loops off and crochet single crochet into the loop 5 times and on and on. I watched a youtube.com video of this technique and it was really simple!

I will be working on a scarf in between the 2 cowls I'm making. Don't want to get bored!!

Happy Birthday Megan!!

2012-01-27T05:25:00.000-08:00

Today is our oldest daughter, Megan's birthday!! She turned 31 today! John and I had dinner with her and her hubby at Firebirds last night and it was such a nice time. I cannot believe I have a 31 yr. old daughter!! When did that happen! I remember her as a little girl playing with dolls, making me wonderful art projects, playing with the dog, reading books, loving her baby sister like she was her own daughter, etc., etc. They sure do grow up fast!! Megan went to Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts for Interior Design. I was so proud to stand at her graduation and she her accept her diploma. She worked so hard for that degree! Megan has been married for almost 4 years (4 yrs. in April) and she has grown into a very beautiful young woman, wife and friend! She still loves her sparklies, which I love to make for her! Megan is known in the family and with her friends as the glittery one. Let me explain that. She loves sparklie jewelry, glitter almost everything but everything is within good taste and not over the top! She has a wonderful laugh, which she uses often. Megan loves life!!

I hope you have a wonderful day Megs and enjoy dinner with Ken tonight! Love you to pieces!!

First I mentioned my books and now.....

2012-01-25T05:53:00.000-08:00

(Photo via pinterest.com)

Yesterday I talked about books, books everywhere well today is yarn, yarn everywhere!! Last night I went to knitting and sure enough Sara at The Cottage Yarn was having a sale! Guess who walked away with some beautiful royal blue Juniper Moon Farm yarn-that is right it would be me!!

Well as you see how could anyone resist this beautiful blue yarn called Clear Skies!! It is gorgeous! I will be making a cowl for myself with it. It is so soft and I love the fact that the owner of Juniper Moon Farm had come to The Cottage Yarn, visited with us and is a woman owned company! That makes it all right that I bought this yarn right? I am supporting a woman owned company. I know, I know I'm pathetic-LOL!!!

There is just something about colors and textures of yarn that just make me want to buy, buy, buy!! I was listening to some of the ladies last night about their yarn stashes (yes that is what they are called) and I am one of the few that doesn't have a whole room in their house designated for yarn and only yarn! They were telling me they have bags, plastic storage containers, closets, and shelves all full of various yarns in various textures and shades. So I guess that my hubby should be really happy that I don't go crazy and I usually give the things I make away as gifts (except for the last 3 purchased-I am making the cowls for myself). So my thought is I'm saving him money because I'm making theses gifts, which would cost a ton more than what I am spending on the yarn for the gift. Well atleast it sounds good-LOL!!!

Enjoy your day everyone!

Books, Books Everywhere!!

2012-01-24T07:27:00.000-08:00

(via pinterest.com)

Last night I was talking to John at dinner about all the books we have. We have 3 huge bookcases of books and we still don't have enough room for all of them. Alot of the books I have not read yet so I am the biggest culprit! I've got alot of historical fictions (which are usually large books) so they take up alot of room, I've got a gajillion cozies that need to be read and alot of fiction books tucked in here and there. I have gardening and decorating books still boxed up in the garage from when we moved in to the house we are renting in May. They will stay that way until we buy another house. I have a Color Nook that has alot of books on it and John has a Kindle that has alot of books on it. So I guess you get my drift when I titled this post books, books everywhere-we really do!

I have to make a better effort this year to read the books I already have. I tried this last year but failed horribly. As soon as I'm done with the books, I have been very good about putting them on paperbackswap so someone else can enjoy them. I also have been trying not to request anymore books unless they are on my wish list.

I have come to the conclusion that I could have a much worse vice than books and collecting books! I just need to read more, but my knitting has taken some of that time. I guess I will have to learn how to divide my time between my 2 vices!!

Do any of you have tons of books?

Sherlock Holmes 2

2012-01-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

Saturday John and I went to see Sherlock Holmes 2. While we liked the movie, we preferred the first one over this one. There was the wonderful camaraderie between Holmes and Watson, the spectacular affects were there, the evil person was there but something was missing. It was entertaining but not as enjoyable as the first Sherlock movie.

I would give this one 3 out of 5 stars.

Winter White

2012-01-20T15:45:00.000-08:00

I love Winter White things from coats to dishes to really anything winter white! I went on pinterest tonight and found some wonderful pictures so I thought I would share them with you!

(All photos are from pinterest.com)

I love Winter White sweaters or winter white wool pants!

Who wouldn't love this bathroom!!

White or winter white linens have always been a big favorite of mine.

These David Austin roses are just so beautiful.

I love this idea-apothecary jar filled with winter white buttons. I just might have to go to the Container Store and get an apothecary jar and recreate this!!

Beauty

I would love to have a winter white coat like this-just gorgeous!

This gown is just exquisite.

I may have to knit up this tea cozy! Not for this Valentine's Day but I would love it anyday!

Well I hope you enjoyed the winter white display. Have a great weekend everyone!!

The Wonderful Women of Cottage Yarn!!

2012-01-18T06:17:00.000-08:00

Last night I had knitting group. It was a smaller group last night of about 10 or so. The women in the group have interesting jobs: one is an author, another a nurse at a Veteran's hospital, another teaches nursing, one is a young mother with a job, goes to the gym regularly and goes to college full time, one is a manager at a laboratory, one is the shop owner, one worked at a mid-western college and is now retired, another is an admitting nurse at a local hospital, one is a teacher at an elementary school, one is a stay at home mom with a card making business on the side and I'm in commercial construction. We all have knitting in common, but the bond is even deeper than that. These women have faced losing a child, breast and ovarian cancer, divorce, unfaithful husbands, etc., etc. but they have all been strong and made it through anything life has thrown at them! We meet every Tuesday night and when we walk through the door individually it is like being Norm on the old TV show Cheers-everyone says your name like you are the most important person on the earth!! Then we all catch up with each other and check out each others knitting projects or yarn finds. We go in search of new yarn for new projects, someone always brings something they have made to eat, so we share that too. We help each other with problems in our knitting (or crocheting for some of the ladies). More than that though we have shared parts or all of our lives and everyone pulls as a group to help the person that is having some trouble or is upset about something that has happened to them.

In this day and age I find it a comforting to know there are still groups like this that you can go to and be a part of. Sometimes we have had bumps in our little group with personalities but it all seems to work out. Alot of the ladies say jokingly that coming to our knitting group is cheaper than therapy! I feel it is a kind of therapy! Just meeting with the same women every week and sometimes on the weekend and sharing is like group therapy. I also get alot of therapy from the knitting process. After rushing around all day at work and being so busy, busy, busy it is so nice to just sit, relax, chat and knit. We are a form of a family. We have celebrated birthdays, the birth of grandsons or granddaughters, Christmas parties, people graduating from college or high school.

I just wanted to put my thoughts down about how I feel about my knitting group and hope that if someone is searching for a knitting group, bookclub, quilting group, church group, etc., etc. they find what I have found in the group of women at Cottage Yarn! Love you girls!!

Camellias, Camellias Everywhere

2012-01-16T18:32:00.000-08:00

Last week my double red camellia started blooming in our yard! I love these flowers. When we lived up North we couldn't grow camellias because it was way too cold for them. Alot of our neighbors have really beautiful shell pink camellias. I would love to get some more camellias and put them in pots for when we move into a house of our own but I am going to wait until then. It won't be for some time yet but I will just enjoy the one I've got now and my neighbors!

Here are my camellias:

The Gilder by Kathryn Kay

2012-01-15T09:44:00.000-08:00

This week I am reviewing The Gilder by Kathryn Kay. Here is what goodreads.com had to say about it:

Set against the exquisite backdrop of Florence, Italy, The Gilder is a compelling and beautifully wrought novel of secrets, friendship, betrayal, and the simple choices that change us forever. . .
In Marina Nesmith's skilled hands, even the most tarnished picture frame or objet d'art can be made perfect once again. Her life, too, seems flawless, at least on the surface. But more and more, Marina is conscious of what she lacks--someone to share her joys and sorrows with, confidence in the decisions she's made, and the courage to tell her teenage daughter, Zoe, the truth about her father.

Then Marina is invited to return to Florence, where she lived years before while learning her trade as a gilder. In those heady days, she wandered the city's picturesque streets, marveling at the masterpieces in the Duomo and the Pitti Palace. In the church of Santa Croce, she met Thomas, an American photographer who, along with his wife Sarah, introduced Marina to a thrilling, bohemian world of art and beauty. Through them, she also learned about love, lies, and the way one mistake can multiply into many. Now, as her past and present collide, Marina will finally have to move beyond the intricate veneer she's crafted around herself, and find the life that she--and Zoe--have been looking for.

Here is a little bit about the author:

Following college, Kathryn Kay spent five years living in Florence, Italy, where she studied restoration and gilding. Kathryn is the founder of the Nantucket Writers Studio, which offers writing workshops for women. She has three adult children, and lives on Nantucket Island with her husband, Robert.

My review:

I would give this book 5 stars or diamonds! I loved reading this book because it made you feel like you were right there especially when the main character, Marina was in Florence, Italy. I love novels set in foreign countries, I love art and creativity and I love to read about how someones life can take twists, turns, up and downs. This book has it all! The descriptions of Marina gilding items and reconstructing them to be gilded were incredible to me. The relationship between Marina and her daughter, Zoe was interesting also. The mix of emotions that Marina felt when Zoe wanted to Florence with her really brought back a flood of memories both good and bad for her. I don't want to give too much of the story away, so you will just have to read the rest to find out what happens! ENJOY!!!

John Got the JOB!!!!!!!

2012-01-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

We found out this afternoon that John got the job and starts Monday! We are all so thankful for all your wonderful comments, thoughts, prayers, good job vibes and e-mails you have sent our way! It has been a very hard 4 years for us and now I think we are finally climbing our way out of the "bad" luck. John's interview was almost 2 hours long and he was asked many, many questions. When the interview was over they told him they would have to discuss the compensation package but they would definitely call him this afternoon. They only took a few hours to call him back and he will be making more with this job than the job he just got laid off from!! We are so excited and happy about this lovely news! We are treating ourselves out to dinner tonight-woooooohoooooo!!!

Dove Grey wins out over Oatmeal

2012-01-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

I posted a few posts ago that I had started knitting a cowl and didn't like the way it was turning out. The yarn was not chunky enough and the needles weren't the right size. I went to knitting group last night and found the perfect yarn!! It is a lovely light grey and made by Silenzio. I bought the size 13 needles the pattern recommended too but dropped it down to a size 10.5 US. Here are so pictures I took of it:

This is what the Cowl is going to look like when I get it done. It is called the Gap-Tastic Cowl from Ravelry.com.

Here is the yarn I'm using. Silenzio 90 Lt. Grey. You can see I just started the project.

Here is a closeup of the yarn.

Closeup of the start of my project.

I will show all of you the Cowl when it is done. I hopefully will get it done pretty quickly because the weather is changing back to cold here in Charlotte over the weekend.

If you are working on any project (knitting or not), let me know what you are working on!

Just a little of this and that!

2012-01-10T07:42:00.000-08:00

Last night John and I went to Jenny and Kevin's for dinner. Of course, Owen was there too! Megan and Ken were invited also, which was a nice surprise! Jenny made a wonderful dinner of zucchini crabcakes, rice and a wonderful salad. For dessert she had cantaloupe and kiwi cut up in chunks, which was lovely!! She knows we are all trying to eat healthier and she succeeded with her dinner!

After we got home I picked up the cowl I am knitting and decided I really need to get different yarn, something more chunky and a different color. Tonight is my knitting group that meets at the local yarn shop in Mint Hill. I guess I will be making a purchase and I also realized I need 13 size needles too for this cowl. I'm thinking something in an oatmeal color or a nice dove grey!! We'll see what Sara has at the shop tonight.

Yesterday was a great day-visiting with family, eating a healthy dinner and then relaxing with John!

Hope everyone has a great day today!!

It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake

2012-01-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

I was suppose to do this review on Friday and got distracted and forgot. I apologize!

Here is what amazon.com had to say about this book:

If Heather Blake's It Takes a Witch is any indication of mysteries to come in 2012, this stellar standout series debut has set the bar. high. Extremely high!

Blake has elevated the cozy/mystery/paranormal/amateur sleuth genre to platinum with this wickedly delicious first installment in the Wishcraft Mystery Series.

Darcy Merriweather and her sister, Harper, are descended from a lengthy succession of witches who have the power to grant wishes by casting spells. The Merriweather gals have landed at Enchanted Village in Salem, Massachusetts, to join the family business, but murder greets them shortly after arriving.

Darcy and Harper were enmeshed in dead-end jobs and going through the motions of everyday life until their aunt surprised them with a juicy family secret.... they're witches. Not just any `ole witch: Wishcrafters - witches with the capability to grant wishes with a simple spell.

Keen to start anew, the sisters travel to their aunt Velma's magic-themed tourist community to explore their recently discovered talent.

When wannabe witch, Alexandra Shively, is found laying on the ground with aunt Ve's scarf knotted tightly around her neck, and aunt Ve's honey, Sylar, kneeling beside her, things don't look so good for auntie's squeeze.

Aunt Ve's obstinately remaining in Sylar's corner, but Darcy overheard him wish that Alexandra would disappear for good. With Harper's attention diverted by her latest adoration, Darcy is inclined to discover the truth. Even if it'll take a bucket of wishes to get to the bottom of this beguiling mystery... Darcy's determined.

It Takes a Witch is an absorbing, entertaining, fast-paced -- not to mention hilarious - cozy. Blake wields a charming blend of laugh-out-loud moments, electrifying mystery components, enchanting paranormal elements , heart-thumping romance, vivacious characters, and an energetic plot. Love Pepe!

Now for those who know me, know I am a hardcore cover tart. Blake's cover has me pulling out my broom in the daylight doing flips. Stunning. I am pulled into Blake's hypnotizing world and want to drink green tea with Darcy, Harper and aunt Ve.

My Review of the Book:

I really loved this book and I'm glad there will be more since this is the first in a series! Bravo to Heather Blake!! Who wouldn't love this cute cozy for its witches, wishcrafters, murder, intrigue..... I normally don't read books in the genre, but I loved this one! I would high recommend it!

My New Knitting Projects

2012-01-08T18:52:00.000-08:00

I have been knitting alot lately. I took a small break from knitting after Christmas. It was a very small break, probably a week! I received some really beautiful yarn from one of my knitting friends, Ginny. She is in my knitting group and a real sweetie! The yarn she gave me is by Dream. This is Smooshy which is a cashmere sock yarn, which is hand painted. The color is Nightwatch 220. I found a pattern of a shawl on ravelry.com called Summerflies. Here is a picture from ravelry of the shawl:

Here are pictures of what I've got done so far:

I am also working on a Cowl pattern called Gap-tastic Cowl. I guess the writer of this pattern figured out The Gap cowl and put her spin on it. This is what her Cowl looks like:

The yarn I am using for this project is Mini Mochi by Cascade Palace Yarn. Color 313. The colors are beautiful in this yarn. Here is a picture of the colors:

As you can see, I am not very far along on this project. I just started it today. If this works out some people will be getting this cowl (I will be using other yarns)for Christmas!

Well I'm off to knit!

What Beautiful Weather we are having here in NC!!!

2012-01-07T14:14:00.000-08:00

The beginning of the week was freezing cold, I'm talking in the teens for us. Now the temp today hit 69!!! It is gorgeous out. I think there is rain coming our way though. I really enjoyed being out in the warm sunshine today. Think I'll take a walk with John before dinner!

We had a great breakfast with Megan and Ken today. We went to our favorite breakfast spot called Skillets!

Praise for Barnes and Noble. I had gotten a Color Nook about a year ago and the leather cover wasn't holding up the way I thought it should. It seemed to have buckled and there were some splits in the cover. I took the Nook and my original receipt to B&N today and they didn't hesitate at all they just replaced it with a new one! Gotta love that!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!

Eating Healthy Really Works!

2012-01-06T05:42:00.000-08:00

John and I have both been doing really well on eating healthier. We both have lost a pound already and it has only been 4 days. It really hasn't been that hard to do, we just have made different choices when we eat. We have also got some more exercise in but not too much. Just walking has really made a difference. We plan on continuing along on our eating healthy path together!

This weekend is suppose to be warmer than the beginning of this week so I'm hoping we could walk on the greenway near our house. I sit alot during the day at my job and then come home and knit, read or watch TV which doesn't help with the exercise thing either. Now the days are staying lighter later we can walk when we get home from work and not worry about being hit by a car!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! We might go to see War Horse or the new Sherlock Holmes movie. I will definitely be cleaning my jewelry area up-never got to that the other day! I hope I can start creating some more sparklies too for my etsy site. Take care!

Eating Healthier in 2012!

2012-01-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

I know people make New Year Resolutions to diet, lose weight, exercise more, etc., etc. I have decided to eat healthier, not a resolution I just need to make some changes in my eating habits. I have lived in the South for about 7.5 years now and I have eaten more fried food in the past 7.5 yrs. than I have eating in my lifetime before that-LOL!! Now I love fried chicken just as much as as the next person, but I have started ordering grilled chicken again. I also need to add some fish or seafood to my diet (of course grilled, not fried). I have decided to cut out french fries and order more veggies or a baked potato (not loaded) instead. My daughter, Jenny told me about a website that will help me track my food and exercise and help me get to the weight I want to be. Here is the website in case you are interested: www.myfitnesspal.com. If you have an iphone, etc. you can sync it with your information from this site.

Now I really need to figure out how to get more exercise in my life also. I sit alot of the day at my computer at my job with some walking from one end of the building to the other but I need to do more. I am going to try and walk on my lunch hour or right before dinner when I get home. I might not be able to do this every day but atleast every other day would be good.

Wish me luck!!

Feather and Fan Scarf I Finished

2012-01-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

Last year I started this scarf for myself. It is called Feather and Fan. I love this pattern and chose a wool and silk lovely skein of yarn from Brooks Farm Yarn. There website address is: www.brooksfarmyarn.com. The yarn line I used was Solo Silk. I bought this yarn when I was at SAFF (Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair) in the Fall of 2011. I love this yarn and the way my scarf turned out! If you are a knitter, you really should try this pattern and this year!

Reflections on 2011 and Looking Forward to 2012!

2011-12-31T10:36:00.000-08:00

This is a time for reflection on the year that will be passing tonight. Alot of things have happened in our family this year! The biggest one is the birth of Owen to our youngest daughter, Jenny and our son-in-law, Kevin. Owen has brought so much happiness into all of our lives. There just isn't enough words that come to mind to explain what Owen has brought this family!

John has had a rough year but will definitely rise above all this. In the beginning of the year he was hired by a title company here in Charlotte to do commercial and residential real estate title underwriting for them. They had a very good and busy year. But for some reason John's boss has made a not so great decision at the end, he decided to lay John off due to the January, February slow down he is expecting. John has had one interview and hopefully next week another one is will be set up! It will all work out, I have faith it will!

We had many visitors from the North visit us this summer. First my sister, Sue, brother-in-law, Chuck and nephew, Troy came down in July for a visit. They were just in time to see Owen! A month later my Mom, Dad, younger sister, Sandy and 2 nieces, Devyn and Shawna came for a visit. We loved visiting with all of them!!

My job has been very busy and looks like it will stay that way for some time to come thank goodness!!

I have been reading a little more lately! I finshed reading 16 books this year. This is not my best total but I have been knitting alot. I am trying to learn to balance the two.

I completed alot more knitting gifts this year and managed to take a fair isle sweater class to! I made 5 scarves for Christmas gifts this year alone!

I very rarely make resolutions on New Year's Eve but this I will make 1. I will be buying and making Christmas gifts all through the year so I don't have to rush getting so many projects completed. I am finishing up a scarf for me and then i will start on that!

I wish all of you my friend a very Happy New Year!!

Mozart's Last Aria by Matt Rees

2011-12-29T07:23:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to read this book ever since it came out. I received 3 Barnes and Noble gift cards for Christmas so I bought this book for my Color Nook. I love the cover photo! The blue in the dress is absolutely stunning-it caught my eye right away! Here is a synopsis of the book from Goodreads.com:

Award-winning author Matt Rees takes readers to 18th century Austria, where Mozart’s estranged sister Nannerl stumbles into a world of ambition, conspiracy, and immortal music while attempting to uncover the truth about her brother’s suspicious death. Did Mozart’s life end in murder? Nannerl must brave dire circumstances to find out, running afoul of the secret police, the freemasons, and even the Austrian Emperor himself as she delves into a scandal greater than she had ever imagined. With captivating historical details, compelling characters, and a real-life mystery upon which everything hinges, Rees—the award-winning author of the internationally acclaimed Omar Yussef crime series—writes in the tradition of Irvin Yalom’s When Nietzsche Wept, Louis Bayard’s The Pale Blue Eye, and Phillip Sington’s The Einstein Girl to achieve the very best in historical fiction with Mozart’s Last Aria.

There is nothing better than a historical fiction and a mystery all rolled into one in my opinion! I will let you know what I think of this book when I'm done reading it.

John's Job Interview Update

2011-12-28T18:08:00.000-08:00

John had a wonderful interview. He really liked the woman who interviewed him. Unfortunately, the job he interviewed for paid $15,000 less than what we need. But all is not lost! The woman that interviewed John said she thinks she has another position for John because he has wonderful experience and hard to come by experience. She has to talk to the owner of the company but she said she would get back to him shortly. I have faith that there will be a job offer and it will be a good one. I just have a wonderful feeling about this! Please keep John in your prayers and send tons of good job vibes his way!! Thanks everyone!!

Keep your fingers crossed!

2011-12-28T08:05:00.001-08:00

I shared with all of you that my husband was laid off as of 12/30, well today he has a job interview at 5:15. Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for him! I hope he gets this job and it is a good job with a great boss! He really deserves it. He has been having a horrible time with the boss that just let him go. I hope this is all over for him soon.

Keep sending the good job vibes his way!! Thanks everyone!

What a Wonderful Christmas!!

2011-12-26T06:17:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve was spent at Megan and Ken's House. Jenny, Kevin, Owen, John and I joined Megan and Ken. We had some relaxing time before a lovely turkey dinner Megan and Ken prepared. It was so delicious!! Then we all went to church for the 11:00 p.m. service. After church Kevin, Jenny and Owen came back to our house to stay overnight and Megan and Ken went home to their house. Owen was so good in church! He loved the music and candlelight.

Christmas morning started at about 8:30-8:45. Megan and Ken came over and the festivites began!! (Jenny had gotten up with Owen around 5:45 but I went downstairs and said Merry Christmas one of my presents to you is go back to bed and I'll take care of feeding Owen). We had some lovely Nana and Owen time!!

There were so many gifts under the tree-we could hardly believe it! Everyone was so generous! There were so many gifts to list but a few highlights of the day were:

1. John got a mountain bike from Jenny, Kevin and Owen.
2. I got a triange chawl loom handmade by Kevin (from Kevin, Jenny and Owen).
3. John got 2 rounds of golf at Ballantyne Resort and Country Club from Megan and Ken.
4. I got a lovely lampwork bead bracelet from Ken and Megan.

There were many, many more gifts but the biggest gift of all was that we were all together and had so much fun! We were relaxed and played with Owen! I want to thank both of our girls, their husbands and Owen for a most enjoyable Christmas 2011!! You all are the greatest!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

2011-12-23T05:41:00.000-08:00

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Whether you are staying home or traveling enjoy your family and friends! I hope Santa sees how good everyone was this year and y'all get some awesome gifts whether they are material or spiritual.

Our daughters, their husbands and of course, Owen will be spending the day at our house celebrating, enjoying each others company, relaxing and playing with Owen and his toys! We are having roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, pumpkin and apple pie. Should be yummy!

Christmas Eve we are all going to Megan's house for dinner and then we will all go to the 11:00 church service together. I love coming out of church at midnight and feel the hush that comes over everyone when they reflect on the church service and its message.

This Christmas will be fun having Owen celebrating with us! Children always make Christmas special. Next year will be real fun!

John, my husband was laid off last Friday as of 12/30, but we have decided to not think about this during Christmas. We will deal with this "Scrooge" like thing that has happened to him after the holidays. We have many things to be thankful for and we are truly blessed with family, friends and having each other!

See you all after the holidays!! Merry Christmas!!

Finally Feeling Human Again!

2011-12-22T06:31:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Everyone! I finally feel myself coming around the corner on this pneumonia/upper respiratory thing I have been fighting for months! The only issue I am now having is a clogged right ear. I can't hear a thing from that ear. Sometimes that works to my advantage-LOL!! I put a full day in at work yesterday but took it easy not my usual rat race pace!! When I got home last night I did absolutely nothing. I didn't even knit! John had a Notary closing so I chatted with my Mom and then just watched TV the rest of the night. I have to put a full day in today at work too and then 1/2 day tomorrow. We are off next Monday-YAY!

I want to thank everyone for all the get well wishes you sent me! Y'all are so sweet!

Merry Christmas everyone! All of you who are traveling, please be careful and safe!!

Owen's First Time Seeing Santa!

2011-12-21T10:27:00.000-08:00

Monday night Jenny and Kevin took Owen to see Santa. By the looks of this picture he really liked him! So cute!!

Owen and Papa

2011-12-19T18:54:00.000-08:00

Saturday Kevin dropped Owen off at our house and he spent some time with Papa! I just had to show you Owen in his Santa hat! John had to be with Owen most of the time because I was so sick. I am going back to work tomorrow but I don't know if I'll be able to stay the whole day. Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone though-it is greatly appreciated!

The World of Teddy

2011-12-16T22:11:00.000-08:00

I have been very sick with a double sinus infection and double ear infection the past few days. I missed work yesterday and spent the entire day in bed. As most of you know, we have a Golden Retriever named Teddy. Teddy was a rescue and he has been with us for 3.5 yrs. Every time I woke up from sleeping Teddy was there "guarding" me. I was downstairs at first on the couch and he got up on the ottoman to watch me but I guess he fell asleep!

I guess when he realized he fell asleep he decided he better check on me from the ottoman!

Teddy kept vigil the whole while I was downstairs.

I decided to stay in bed all day yesterday. He decided someone needed to watch me. He hopped up on the bed and took very good care of me all day!

Doesn't he look so regal even though he was a little camera shy.

I appreciate having Teddy "guard" and watch over me while I'm getting better. He is such a great dog and a wonderful addition to the family. He lets Owen pet him. Even though Owen is very gentle sometimes his aim isn't that great. Teddy didn't move a muscle when Owen pet his eyes! I think they will be the best of friends for years to come.

Well back to resting! Just thought I would stop in a show you how well I'm being taken care of!

Dr. Visit Not So Pleasant!

2011-12-14T06:35:00.000-08:00

As most of you know I went to the Dr. yesterday for a sinus infection. It was that and a double ear infection. He told me I have been sick since the end of October, this I already knew. I have had bronchitis, a cold, etc., etc. Well he didn't like that at all so he said I needed 2 shots!! I have not had a shot since I was a child for any illness I have had. The one shot in my left hip was a group of steriods and I have to tell you that really hurt! The nurse also hit a vein and was having trouble getting the bleeding to stop! The shot in my right hip was some kind of antibiotic blast and that felt like a bee sting. Overall the Dr. visit was not pleasant. I also have antibiotic to take for the next 10 days and they are like super duper horse pills!! I hope these infections leave my body forever!! After work today I will be getting my haircut and color. I was going to cancel this appt. but then I wouldn't be able to get one until January! Won't work for the holidays. After that appt. I will be sitting on the sofa or in my bed resting! I hope today goes quickly!

Sorry for the whining but I just need to whine and get it out of my system-LOL!

Off to the Dr. I go!

2011-12-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

I have a Dr. appt. this afternoon because I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection. This is not good-I have way too much to get done in the next few days! I really don't think I ever got better from bronchitis that I had almost 2 months ago! I am at work because I had quite a few things that needed to be taken care of this morning. Tonight I have my knitting group Christmas party too! I will be going but I'm sure I will not be there for very long.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Christmas Decorations at our House

2011-12-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

I think I am finally done with the Christmas decorations at our house. The Tree is decorated,
the mantel is done, outside is done and now I can focus on other things like baking cookies, making the last remaining gifts, card writing, etc. Here are some pictures of our decorations that I promised.

Our 10' Tree

This Silent Night Ornament was my Grandparents from the '40's or '50's.

Woodland Santa Ornament

Last year my sister, Sue gave me this ornament for Christmas. It is a picture of me when I was 2 yrs. old!!

I bought this lovely sparkly jeweled snowflake ornament from Pottery Barn. It is one of my favorites.

This is the blue cupboard I have in the Dining Room all spruced up for Christmas.

This is my old world Santas, the Belleek china cottage ornament we got in Ireland and a Cast Soldier on his horse on the blue cupboard in the Dining Room.

On the other side of the Blue Cupboard I put the Christmas Teapot and service for two!

This is my Byer's Carolers collection on the entertainment unit in the Family Room. The entertainment unit was made by my Dad a few years ago.

Closeup of the Byer's Carolers.

Here is the mantel in the Family Room.

This Santa is on the mantel is mine and my Papa gave it to me when I was 1! That makes my Santa 51 yrs. old!

Here is Old Befana, my Byer's doll on the other side of the mantel.

My antiqued tin reindeer are in the center of the mantel. I put the red votives on either side to add some color.

Well that is all for today. I have alot more to show you but I will do it over the next few days. Gives you something to look forward too!

What a nice surprise!

2011-12-09T17:09:00.000-08:00

Two years ago I bought a small Meyer Lemon Tree at Lowes in the Fall. I nurtured the tree by putting it outside when it was warm and bringing the tree in when it got colder. I moved it from the townhouse we were in to the house we are now renting. It got wonderful smelling flowers on it at the townhouse and then produce about 13 little lemons! After a while there were only 4 lemons that decided they were going to prosper. Tonight I went to get some iced tea for John and I for dinner and realized there weren't any store bought lemons left. I looked at the lemons on the tree and one of them was ready to be picked. Now mind you I have been waiting 8 months for these lemons to mature so I could pick them! Tonight this one lemon was just ripe enough. I cut it up and it was really, really juicy and it tasted wonderful! There really is nothing like your very own lemon!

Here is the luscious first lemon off the tree.

Here is the lemon on the cutting board-look at all the juice!!

The bowl I started to put the cut up lemon in was just big enough to hold all the lemon.

The next lemon that will be ripe is about twice the size of this one!! The other 2 are about the same size. The lemon seems to be full of juice and doesn't taste bitter like the ones from the store. I might even buy another tree!

The Tree is Finally Decorated!

2011-12-09T05:16:00.000-08:00

Last night John and I finally completed trimming our tree. I will take pictures over the weekend. Decorating a 10' tree is not such an easy task! I am really upset though because I cannot find the box that has our antique ornaments in it. We moved in May and I know they came with us but now over the weekend I have to tear the garage apart to find them. I miss my clip on birds, little pine cones that are dusted with glitter that were my grandparents ornaments, etc., etc.! I know I will find them, but it is upsetting not knowing where they are. I put the Nativity up last night with my bible from when I was in 3rd grade. I always clip a real feather white dove to the bible just like my Nana did! I have a Waterford votive candle holder next to the Nativity too and I light it every night the week of Christmas. Christmas Day I usually keep it lit the whole day unless we go out. This year I did the banister a little different. We always put the Christmas greens with pinecones on the banister with little white lights but this year I added some small ornaments too-it looks wonderful! I put my mercury glass candlesticks up on the mantel and the glittery silver bird and greens. I also added some antique Santas along with the Santa my Papa gave me when I was one (that makes Santa 51 years old!). I still have to put up my Dickens Village some where and add a few things here and there but I'm pretty much done decorating.

I will be taking pictures and posting everything for you to see over the weekend. It was just too late last night and too dark.

Now I can concentrate on getting the handmade Christmas gifts done and baking a few dozen cookies!

Everyone remember to enjoy the Season!!

The Passing of a Great Person in Our Family

2011-12-08T06:15:00.000-08:00

Last night John got a call that his Uncle Matt passed away at the age of 94. Uncle Matt was a patent attorney for US Steel for many years in Pittsburgh, PA and when he retired he moved to Hilton Head, SC. He lived there for over 30 yrs. and then the last few years of his life he moved to Columbia, MD to an assisted living facility to be closer to some family members.

I remember meeting Uncle Matt 33 years ago at dinner at John's Mom and Dad's house. He loved life! Right away he gave me a big hug, told me how pretty I was and then turning to John and said hold on to this one don't let her get away! He then turned and winked at me! He always called me Doll or Babe, but not in an offense way. It was just Uncle Matt's way. He was also a very sharp dresser. His clothes were always the latest fashion and he always looked "dashing". Uncle Matt was a very religious man, he always went to Mass every Sunday and other holy days. He helped out at his local parish as much as he could.

My girls loved Uncle Matt! He would always include them in every social outing he was planning. We visited him many times when he lived on Hilton Head. Jenny especially remembers the McDermitt Family Reunion on Hilton Head when she brought her then boyfriend, Darius. Uncle Matt took Darius aside and told him what a great "gal" Jenny was and that he better treat her like a lady and respect her to the fullest!! That was just the kind of guy he was.

The last few years had been very hard for Uncle Matt. He had major heart surgery. Then he had to have a defribulator pacemaker put in. He seemed to be recoverying from that but he was exceptionally tired all the time. He was then diagnosed with Parkinson's. John called him around Thanksgiving and he really could only talk for about 8 minutes and he told John he was too tired and must go. We really knew this was a sign that Uncle Matt wouldn't be with us too much longer.

Uncle Matt you will be immensely missed! Love you!!

A New Year's Resolution Early!

2011-12-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

I have been extremely busy the past few months trying to make alot of my Christmas gifts. I have definitely made a New Year Resolution early-I will be starting in January making knitting or handmade gifts. I never seem to be able to enjoy the holidays because I am frantically making things, especially knitted things. I have also decided that I will be buying gifts for people all year through and a few small things for stockings, etc. during the holiday buying season. I feel better already just saying that is what I'm going to do! I am really going to try my hardest to do just that!

Hope everyone has a great day!!

Some Great Holiday Decorating Ideas

2011-12-05T18:28:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share some of these great ideas for Holiday decorating that I found on pinterest.com:

I love this decorating idea!! Candy Canes in a white urn-really beautiful!

I thought this was really cute-some Southern charm!!

I think I might try this idea-clay pots with pine cones and red Christmas ornaments. Dress up your porch or the outdoors.

I love this garland around the door with the Christmas tree and wreath.

I need to start decorating around here, but it has been so busy! I will be working on decorating Wednesday night after work. I'll post some pictures of what I've done with the house. Everyone happy decorating!!

What a Whirlwind Weekend!

2011-12-05T05:59:00.000-08:00

My weekend started like a whirlwind right from Friday on! Friday night John and I had Owen overnight. Jenny and Kevin were going to Kevin's Office Christmas Party. Owen was so much fun. He is starting to crawl or I should say he is trying to hard to crawl but he usually drags himself! Very funny! Jenny and Kevin came over around 9:00 on Saturday morning and we had breakfast together at Skillets. They left and then John and I headed over to Michaels-I need a few items to create some Christmas gifts. Then we had John's Office Christmas Party Luncheon around 1:00. It was very good and we had a great time! Got home and got ready for a Christmas Shopping Party at Megan's house where I was displaying my jewelry. I did pretty well there-her neighbors always love my jewelry. I got home around 12:15-boy was I tired!! Sunday I had a nice home cooked breakfast with John and the back at the jewelry table until 12:30. I then met some of my knitting friends at Dillworth Coffee until 4! Came home and John was back from visiting people in the hospital and nursing homes from our church. We chatted for a moment and then I checked my e-mails. I found out I had 3 orders to fill and they were custom. I spent a few hours before dinner and after dinner working on the orders. The rest of the night I watched TV and knitting!

I hope next weekend isn't as busy as that!! It is almost good to come back to work, I'll be busy but not that busy!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Yarn Dye Fest!!

2011-12-01T17:43:00.000-08:00

Last night my knitting friend, Amy came over and she taught me how to dye yarn! I had alot of cream 100% wool yarn and it needed to be dyed. First I chose blue and green dye. We boiled some water and carefully placed the yarn in the water. You use a wooden spoon to gently push the yarn down into the water. This takes all the air pockets out of the yarn so there is no part of the yarn that doesn't get dyed. We then placed the yarn in a plastic storage container so we could apply the dye. Like this:

My friend, Amy "squirting" the yarn with the dye.

After you get the dye on the yarn the way you want it, you wrap the whole thing in saran wrap, kind of like a burrito. Then you place it in the microwave until it gets really hot. You then unwrap the yarn and put it in the sink to cool. When it is cool you rinse the yarn until the water is clear. Then you hang the yarn over your shower curtain until dry.

Here are some more pictures of my lovely yarn:

This is the pink yarn cooling off before rinsing.

Here is the pink yarn all done.

Here is the blue/green yarn we made.

Here is all the blue/green yarn hanging over the shower rod to dry.

I love the range of the blues and greens in the yarn.

What an absolutely fun time creating this lovely yarn! I'm sure I will be making lots more lovely yarn and soon!

Christmas Greenery all around!

2011-11-30T05:54:00.000-08:00

I started to decorate for Christmas last night and I realized how much Christmas Greenery I put around the house. I was surprised how much I use in my decorating! I definitely don't have all my decorating done but I was making notes on how much greenery I will need. I put some on the mantel, around the Nativity on the sofa console table, in urns (inside and out), around the large white wooden swan I have, on the kitchen and dining room table, on a few little tables I have around the family room and on the banisters. I went on pinterest and found these really beautiful ideas I thought I would share with all of you. Hope it gives you some inspiration and ideas!

(all photos via pinterest.com)

I love this idea! Ice Skates on a greenery swag or wreath for your door. I have ever put my skates on a sled with some greenery and a beautiful cranberry velvet bow.

If you are lucky enough to have a wooden wheelbarrow, you could spruce it up this time of year with greenery and red berries. A few white twigs might be nice too!

A simple swag of different kinds of greenery make any door look festive!

This is such a simple idea-take any size can add greenery and a ribbon and you have a centerpiece!

I love greenery on the banister and this photo has some lovely ideas.

Can't forget the mantel. I love greenery and pinecones for mine!

I thought this was a really nice idea either for your home or as a gift. Put some little trees in crocks, pots, antique vases, etc. You could add ribbon or maybe some cranberries to the little tree (only if it is sturdy enough) or sprinkle with glitter!

Hope this gave you all some great ideas! Happy decorating!

The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory Review

2011-11-27T19:54:00.000-08:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to review this book for Touchstone via Crazy Book Tour blog. Here is a little information about this book.

The Lady of the Rivers
by Philippa Gregory
Publication Date: October 18, 2011
Publisher: Touchstone

Passion. Danger. Witchcraft . . .

The Lady of the Rivers is #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory’s remarkable story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the Wars of the Roses.

Descended from Melusina, the river goddess, Jacquetta always has had the gift of second sight. As a child visiting her uncle, she met his prisoner, Joan of Arc, and saw her own power reflected in the young woman accused of witchcraft. They share the mystery of the tarot card of the wheel of fortune before Joan is taken to a horrific death at the hands of the English rulers of France. Jacquetta understands the danger for a woman who dares to dream.

Jacquetta is married to the Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, and he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke’s squire Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen.

The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta can sense the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of royal rivals. Not even their courage and loyalty can keep the House of Lancaster on the throne. Henry the king slides into a mysterious sleep; Margaret the queen turns to untrustworthy favorites for help; and Richard, Duke of York, threatens to overturn the whole kingdom for his rival dynasty.

Jacquetta fights for her king, her queen, and for her daughter Elizabeth for whom Jacquetta can sense an extraordinary and unexpected future: a change of fortune, the throne of England, and the white rose of York.

A sweeping, powerful story rich in passion and legend and drawing on years of research, The Lady of the Rivers tells the story of the real-life mother of the white queen.

My review of this book:

Another wonderful book by Philippa Gregory! I love historical fictions and this one did not disappoint! This book is the third book in the Cousins Wars Series. The young and bewitching young woman, Jacquetta from Luxembourg was a very haunting and interesting young woman/character in this story. Philippa Gregory sucked me in right away with this story and the characters. The story was woven very well and kept my interest throughout the whole book. I would highly recommend this book and all of Philippa Gregory's other books in this series and other historical fictions she has written.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

2011-11-22T05:51:00.000-08:00

I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving before I head North!! I hope everyone enjoys their day with their family, friends and loved ones. We all have alot to be thankful for and we need to remember that all the year through not just one specific day!

This year our family has alot to be thankful for! Here are a few things I thought of:

1. The birth of Owen, our beautiful and joyous grandson.
2. Our daughter, Jennifer, who gave birth to Owen came through the emergency C-section and possible stroke before Owen was born.
3. Our move to our new rental house went smoothly.
4. My friend, Patty that was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer is doing great!
5. Our friend, Mike in NJ is doing well and has clear scans for his cancer!!
6. I got a raise.
7. John found a new job and we don't have to struggle as much as before.
8. I have a new car, well new to me-it is 1 yr. old.
9. Last but certainly not least we have had a healthy, wonderful year this year!!

Enjoy your day, hug your family and just be thankful!!

What a great weekend!!

2011-11-21T07:34:00.000-08:00

I left Charlotte on Friday with my friend, Ginny and headed up to the mountains. We were staying with 3 of our knitting friends at a B&B in West Jefferson, NC. We have been there before and what a great time we had!! I got my nephew's scarf all done for Christmas and started another one for my sister. On the way through West Jefferson, Ginny and I stopped for lunch and we went to some little shops there too. The one shop wasn't so little but it was wonderful-it is a Cheese store!! The factory that makes the cheese is across the street and you can tour that if you want. Ginny bought cheese for the weekend (that was her contribution). She bought Baby Swiss, Swiss with almond spread, Cheddar Cheese, and Brandied Peaches. The cheese was so good-I want to go back there again!

Saturday we didn't leave the B&B the whole day or night. One of the girls brought Veggie Soup and another brought Chili so we were set for meals! I made Beer Bread and an Apple Crisp. Another one of the girls brought bagels, which we ended up having melted cheese on for one of our meals. The B&B serves huge breakfasts so we just had a little afternoon snack and then dinner on Friday and Saturday. Both Saturday and Sunday were warm enough to sit out on the front porch and knit. We headed back to Charlotte around noon. We had such a wonderful time!

The owner of the B&B (Doc) decided that our food was so good and he loves for us to come and sit on the porch and knit that he wants to write a cookbook with our recipes in the book and put in some knitting stories!! We are all really excited about this!! When the book is done and on sale, I will let everyone know!!

This weekend was all about relaxing, knitting, resting, chatting and just plain having a wonderful time with our friends!! This kind of weekend always brings and bonds the group together, which is a wonderful thing!!

Girls Getaway Weekend!

2011-11-17T18:27:00.000-08:00

Everyone I won't be blogging this weekend. I'm heading out tomorrow a.m. with 4 other knitting girls of mine. We are headed to the mountains! What a weekend we will have!! Can't wait!

We will be staying here:

Everyone have a wonderful weekend and I'll tell you all about mine when I get back!!

Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Settings

2011-11-16T19:13:00.000-08:00

I will not be at home this year for Thanksgiving. John, Teddy (our Golden Retriever) and I will be visiting with my parents and sisters (and their families). My Mom will set her table with her Lennox china that she got as a young bride in 1958. It is cream colored China with a platinum rim. Very pretty. She will use a cream colored tablecloth and she will use my Nana's sterling silverware. Very rarely does my Mom use a centerpiece. John and I used to send her a centerpiece and she always kept it on the kitchen table not the Dining Room table. Our daughters will be staying in NC this year and celebrating Thanksgiving together. I will miss them dearly but we have to go North and they cannot for a few different reasons.

I started thinking about table settings. Next year I won't be making the trip North so I thought I would save a few photos I found on pinterest of Thanksgiving place settings. I thought it would be nice to share them with you!

What a clever idea to use leaves as the place cards! Love it!!

I think this is my favorite one. I love persimmons in a group on the table.

This is really a pretty table!

Sometime I would like to try this-a cornucopia napkin-very ingenious!!

Where ever you are spending Thanksgiving, I hope everyone has a wonderful time with friends and family!!

Hug Someone Today :)!!

2011-11-16T06:51:00.000-08:00

I was thinking last night on my drive home from Megan's house how many times a day we hug each other. Last night Jenny and Owen were at Megan's and I'll tell you there was plenty of hugging going on as far as Owen was concerned-LOL!!! He had Auntie Megan, Nana, Mommy and 2 of Auntie Megan's friends to love him and hug him all night!! Sometimes I think we all taking hugging for granted and don't realize how much good a nice hug does.

Here is something I found online about hugging:

"Hugs certainly feel good, both on the giving and receiving end, and it turns out their effects are more than skin deep. A study by University of North Carolina researchers found that hugs increase the "bonding" hormone oxytocin and decrease the risk of heart disease." I think that is great!!
So I thought I would share these photos with you and some of them are really quite amazing!! Make sure you hug someone today!

(All photos via pinterest.com)

Lion Cub hugging its Momma. So cute!

Dog and Orangutan hugging. Actually they are both friends at a zoo. The dog wasn't feeling well and the Orangutan hugged and befriended him so now he is doing so much better!! Amazing!

Foal and Mare nuzzling each other.

Lamb loving her little lamb.

Lambs hugging and protecting a puppy. I love this picture!!

This little monkey must have decided this little puppy needed a hug.

A whole squirrel family hugging each other! That must have been a hard picture to get!!

Squirrel hugging and kissing this baby chick.

I saved the best for last. This little girl is so cute with her Teddy Bear!

Enjoy your day and hug someone!!

Barns in the Snow!

2011-11-14T16:31:00.000-08:00

Barn in Wood City, Ohio (via pinterest)

I guess because I grew up on a small farm I have always loved barns. Stone ones really are beautiful but a red barn out in the snow is just gorgeous! If barns could talk I am sure they would have wonderful stories for us!

I decided to look online and find some photos of barns in the snow and I found quite a few really nice photos that I thought I would share with you.

This barn looks like it is neatly tucked away for the winter! The bright red really stands out in the snow!(via google)

I would love to look across a field and see this barn in the winter! (via google)

I love this lantern and arrangement outside a white barn in the snow. (via pinterest)

This picture looks like a winter wonderland!! (via pinterest)

This weathered barn is so lovely in the snow (via pinterest)

It's Monday!!

2011-11-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

WOW what a morning I have been having!! As most of you know I work for a commercial construction company and I work for 14 men (plus I get calls from 14 Superintendents out in the field. It is only 11:45 and I think I have heard from almost every one of them already!! I have also typed up 10 Subcontracts, looked at 5 drawings, printed off those approved drawings on our plotter (which no one else seems to know how to operate here-LOL), made about 25 phone calls, typed up 10 Change Orders,and I have taken care of a few odds and ends too! I am ready to go home and take a nap! This is a glimpse into my day everyday but it all isn't usually done by noon! Jokingly one of the owners stopped by my office and said, "Cheryl, you really have alot of down time don't you". He knows how much I do and really appreciates it. I think he was just trying to tell the one guy that almost lives in my office to lighten up! It's a good thing I love my job!!

Hope everyone is having a great Monday!!

The Weekend is Going Just as Planned!

2011-11-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Meridian Earrings

This doesn't happen very often but this weekend is going just as planned. Yesterday I slept a little later than normal, got up and made a nice omelet for John and I. I had planned on creating in my studio all day yesterday and guess what everyone it actually happened!! I have alot of new sparklies on my etsy site. (see sidebar for link to my site) What fun I had! I also had to take the photos of all the sparklies. I love setting up outside to take these (the light is just better outside). Teddy, my Golden Retriever kept me company out there and we even had time to run around the yard a little (well atleast Teddy did while I was busy taking photos).

Glitzy Posy Earrings

Today is another day of creating! I think I'm going to make some more bookmarks, necklaces and maybe some bracelets. I also want to get some knitting in today. I'm working on a nice scarf out of baby alpaca and merino for my nephew for Christmas.

I just love it when your day or weekend goes as planned don't you? Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

What a gorgeous Saturday!

2011-11-12T09:40:00.000-08:00

(photo via pinterst.com)

Today it is absolutely beautiful out!! There is a slight chill in the air but regardless it is so beautiful! We had some rain this week so some of those beautifully colored leaves came tumbling down, but there are still quite a few on the trees making it just gorgeous!

Enjoy your day!!

A Day in Honor of Our Veterans!

2011-11-11T06:58:00.000-08:00

Today is 11/11/11 and it is also Veteran's Day! Please take a moment today to honor the Veterans living and not with us anymore. My Papa was a Navy Veteran and I always think of him today.

This group of people have protected our country, put their lives in danger, made our country safer so the least we can do is honor them today!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Christmas Holiday Decorating Ideas

2011-11-10T09:36:00.000-08:00

I know it is kind of early to think about Christmas decorating when Thanksgiving hasn't even arrived yet. I know I need to plan things out early enough so I can decorate and then enjoy the holiday season. I was just looking over at pinterest.com at some of the beautiful ideas over there and I thought I would share them with you.

(all photos via pinterest.com)

I love the rich colors in this blanket and what a great idea for a tablecloth or maybe even a runner.

Someone had taken a little cutting from their boxwood shrub and put it in this little white vase. The perfect Christmas tree!! I love it!

I have a painted blue cupboard in my dining room and I could easily do this type of decorating. Very pretty!

When I saw these pillows on that white couch I knew I want to do this! I have a creamy/white couch and pillow like this would look great on it for the holiday!

Well that is it for now. I hope these ideas have gotten your creative juices flowing!! Have a great day!

Wonderful warm things to drink!

2011-11-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

It is unseasonably warm here in Charlotte, NC right now but it isn't suppose to stay that way! By the end of the week it is going to be cold here again. I was looking at some photos of warm drinks and I thought I would share them with you!

(all photos via pinterest.com)

Even though I can't drink coffee due to an allergy, this Peppermit Chocolate Coffee looks so yummy!! The Jadeite mugs are really lovely!!

This Pumpkin Spice Latte looks so good!

What could be better than tea and knitting :)!

I love this sign. I will have to make something like this for my house.

Everyone enjoy the warmer weather now because the cold is on the way!

Wordless Wednesday!

2011-11-09T05:07:00.001-08:00

Blogger Holiday Book Swap

2011-11-08T11:01:00.000-08:00

That time of year is here again!! Go to this link and sign up: http://holidayswap.wordpress.com/2011/11/05/welcome/

Hurry you only have until this Friday, 11/11 to sign up!!

Christmas Ornaments are now here!

2011-11-08T05:49:00.000-08:00

I was trying to think of some new things to put on my etsy site and I came up with a new Christmas ornament. I have 2 on there right now, one is Christmas in Paris:

and the other is Eiffel Tower Christmas Ornament:

I am thinking of making more out of sparklie Swarovski crystals so the Christmas tree lights send sparkles all through the room!

Let me know what you think of them! Everyone have a great day!!

**NOTE: You can click on my etsy site on the right hand sidebar of this blog and it will bring you to all my creations!**

Beautiful Thanksgiving Centerpiece

2011-11-06T20:03:00.000-08:00

I was looking at things that I saved on www.pinterest.com and I came across this lovely pumpkin centerpiece. I will not be having Thanksgiving this year or I would so make this! Maybe I'll pass this picture along to my Mom for our Thanksgiving table.

How will you be decorating your Thanksgiving table this year?

It's Off to the Studio I go today!!

2011-11-05T04:26:00.000-07:00

Today I will be letting the creative juices flow! John will be going with my son-in-law to an airshow and Teddy and I will be chillin' at home. Well not too much chillin' for me as there will be for Teddy! I'm spending the day in my studio playing Christmas music and getting in the creative spirit making jewelry and ribbon bookmarks for my etsy site: www.etsy.com, then type in cherylmcdermitt1 under Shop.

Here are a few things I've made in the past and posted on my site:

All Things Fall Ribbon Bookmark

Cafe au Lait Ribbon Bookmark

Canyon Earrings

Monogram Keychain

I will also be drinking tea as I create these new sparklies! This is just my kind of day to do this-it is chilly, windy and a little gray outside. My studio has a very large window at one end, so I will be able to pause and see the lovely Fall leaves in my backyard when I need a little break. I've got all my supplies right at my finger tips which is always helpful! The computer is right here on my large work table too just in case I need to check something on youtube or something I've saved. I just love days like this!!

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend and enjoys it immensely!!

Time to think of a Christmas Stocking.

2011-11-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

I made my 2 girls Christmas Stockings when they were babies and I made my husband and myself one. I did all of them except mine in crewel embroidery. Mine I did in counted cross-stitch. It is now time to start thinking of making one for Owen. Here were some examples I found on www.pinterest.com:

I think Owen would love this Jester Stocking!

I could make this one out of linen or burlap, but I wonder if that would be just too plain.

I do love snowmen! They always are so jolly looking.

I think I will just keep searching for just the right one for him. It will be fun making it though! Does anyone have any other ideas? I will keep y'all posted on what I have chosen to make!

1950's What an Era!

2011-11-02T02:36:00.000-07:00

I was on the computer on pinterest.com and I was looking at the beautiful women and dresses of the 50's. I was born in 1959 so I just made the 50's. I have always loved the elegance and beauty of the movie stars of that era and the dresses are just gorgeous. What a simpler time the 1950's were and sometimes I find myself wishing I was back in the 50's! I know some things in this era have made life easier but I really think things were more relaxed during that time. I thought I would share a few of the beautiful women and dresses of the 50's today. Enjoy!!

(all photos are via www.pinterest.com)

Audrey Hepburn

Ava Gardner

Elizabeth Taylor

Gina Lollabrigida

Princess Grace of Monaco

Vivien Leigh

Don't you just love this picture of these ladies having coffee/tea together! Look how dressed up they were!

What a gorgeous strapless party dress this is! I love the colors!

1950's style wedding dress.

1954 Dior Gown

The women that wore this dress would have looked so elegant and beautiful!

This dress is a favorite of mine! I would love to have worn this dress and had the figure for it-LOL!!!

Vintage Dior

The hats of this era were just beautiful too! How graceful and chic!

Well that is all I have at the moment, but I thought it was nice strolling through the lovely era of the 50's.

Thoughtful Tuesday

2011-11-01T05:50:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween Everyone!!

2011-10-31T06:02:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!!!

Today is my Dad's 75th Birthday! I called him and he told me they have 12 inches of snow in NW NJ! Better them than me! Happy Birthday Dad!!

Everyone have fun trick or treating with their kids, grandkids-be safe and warm!!

The Weekend-a little of this and a little of that!

2011-10-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

I am still on the mend from bronchitis. I didn't have a very good night last night but got a nice nap in today. Thanks for everyone's well wishes!

Friday night we picked Owen up and brought him here for the weekend. Jenny and Kevin always have a Halloween party and we offered to take Owen for Friday night, all day Saturday and they would come and pick him up Sunday a.m. Owen must have been having a growth spurt because he slept alot of the time he was here. Maybe that was a good thing because I wasn't feeling well. Here is our little pumpkin with a big smile:

Because Owen was sleeping alot of the time I finished reading the book Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. It was a really good book, just surprised how she ended the story. I really didn't want it to end!

I also got some knitting in. The Feather and Fan Scarf that I'm knitting is coming along quickly! It looks really great so far! I am making it with one of the skeins of yarn I got at the Fiber Fest last weekend.

Jenny and Kevin then arrived this morning and I made pancakes for everyone! Jenny and Kevin were taking Owen to a Halloween Costume Parade in Megan's neighborhood so they put the hood of the lion's costume I made on him-he looked so cute!

Kevin, Owen's Dad holding the little lion.

Our little lion was roaring/crying here. He wanted to take another nap at this point.

Overall it was a pretty quiet weekend for John and I but a really good one! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

The Shawl I made for Megan.

2011-10-29T16:42:00.000-07:00

Here is Megan wearing the shawl I made for her. She wanted all of you to know that she didn't look her best for pictures, I think she looks just fine! I didn't realize the ruffle part of the shawl was curled up either-sorry!

I started this for Megan last Christmas and after 4 baby blankets numerous other things I finally got around to finishing it for her. You can't see it in the picture but there is a slight glimmer in the black yarn, which fits Megan perfectly-she loves glitter, glimmer, sparkles, etc., etc.

Merry Christmas late Megs!! Love you!!

It is Definitely Bronchitis!

2011-10-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

I went to the Dr. today because I was having trouble breathing, like something small was sitting on my chest. It wasn't a heart attack feeling just a bronchitis feeling. I was right! When I went to the Dr. he said guess what you have again-bronchitis! I'm glad I went with my gut reaction and called the Dr. to make an appt.

I am on good meds now and rested all day so I should get better quickly. Off to have some tea and rest!

I love these pantries!!

2011-10-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

When John, the girls and I lived in our victorian in NJ we had a lovely pantry. I have never had a pantry since that was as great as that one! The pantry we had was just put together perfectly with it's sturdy shelves, a window for light, a really high ceiling so large things could be stacked on the top shelves and a wide plank wood floor. To get to the wide plank floor I had taken up 4 layers of the original linoleum-that smelled just lovely!! I made white curtains for the window, painted the walls white and painted the floor a rich cranberry color. I put a throw rug on the floor to keep our feet warm when we went in there during the winter time because there wasn't any heat in there. I had alot of Longaberger baskets so I used them to store things in there and it looked nice. I hung a peg rack on the long blank wall and hung up my aprons, special dish towels and herbs to dry that I had grown in my garden-it was great! I was looking on pinterest.com today and found some pantries that I wouldn't mind having. Here they are:
(all photos are via www.pinterest.com)

I thought this was a clever idea paint the door with blackboard paint!! I love it!

I love the frosted doors on this pantry.

This pantry is my all time favorite-just gorgeous!!

This pantry is more rustic than the others above, but I liked it too!

This is the perfect country pantry.

Update: I am still under the weather with my throat, so I a Dr. appt. for tomorrow morning. Hopefully they will be able to give me some really good meds! I need to get rid of the fire in my throat!

Everyone have a great afternoon!

A Wonderful Day at SAFF!!!

2011-10-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

Saturday I spent a wonderful day with Jenny,friends, fiber and beautiful weather! Jenny and I dropped Owen off at Megan's house at 6:30 a.m.-yes I said a.m.!! We drove back to the Blakeney section of Charlotte to meet our knitting friends Ginny and Julie. We drove up to Asheville, NC, which is about 2 hrs. from our homes. It was a beautiful sunny, clear, crisp Fall day. The leaves in the mountains were at their peak and just gorgeous. We arrived around 9 and we left around 3:30. We walked, walked and walked looking at beautiful fiber, spinning wheels, looms, shawl pins, soaps, hand creams, fudge, Angora bunnies, patterns, etc., etc. It was wonderful!! I bought some fiber and I already started the Fan and Feather Scarf!! Jenny, Ginny and Julie bought fiber too! We will be creating some really beautiful things over the next few months. It was just a beautiful day spent with wonderful friends! Here are some photos of what I bought:

This is the cover from the SAFF booklet.

This yarn is made from 100% Bamboo! I love all the colors in the fiber and will probably make a Spring Shawl out of this.

This beautiful Solo Silk was bought at the Brooks Farm booth. This is a vendor out of Lancaster Texas. It is just gorgeous. I am making a Feather and Fan Scarf for myself out of this. I have already started it!

Here is the Fan and Feather Scarf that I started yesterday.

I love this yarn from Miss Babbs! Miss Babbs is from Mountain City, TN. I love the rich colors of this fiber! I'm not sure what I'll be making with this but I'm sure it will be something awesome!

Ginny, Julie and I bought Shawl Kits from Stream Valley Fiber Farm, Trout Run, PA. All of the kits were different from each other. They consisted of the Pattern for the Shawl, the beautiful fiber (which mine is called Tide Pool) and a handmade Shawl Pin designed and created by PeaceWork Jewelry Design. I just love this yarn and the pattern of the Shawl. The Pin is absolutely beautiful too!

This is the closeup photo of the fiber from the Shawl Kit. I think it is appropriately named Tidal Pool-look at all those blues just like a tidal pool-just gorgeous!!

Closeup of the Shawl Pattern.

I stopped at The Unique Sheep vendor booth and fell in love with their fiber! They are the home of gradient yarn! Just seeing the colors they used for example a beautiful blue going from dark blue all the way to a very light blue all in one skein. Just absolutely gorgeous!! I took their card because I will be ordering over the year from them.

I did not buy this shawl pin but I thought it was just gorgeous!! I love the felted fiber scarf/shawl they paired this beautiful colored wood pin with! I wish I had tens of thousands of dollars because I would have bought whatever I wanted there!

As you can tell I thoroughly enjoyed my day with my daughter and friends! I slept really well that night, I should have put on a pedometer!!

Today I am home from work not feeling well at all. My throat feels like it has a golf ball in it. I will be just relaxing and resting today. Guess I over did it this weekend. It was worth it though!!

Everyone have a great day!

Mama's Got a New Ride!!!

2011-10-21T05:24:00.000-07:00

Last night after work John and I went to a Hyundai dealer down the road and we bought a 2011 black Hyundai Sonata!! The sticker said it was Phantom Black, so I have named the car Phantom!! I am so excited!! Here is a picture from google.com that I found of a black Sonata:

I have been driving a Scion TC, which was originally John's car. He was driving a 2002 Toyota RAV 4. The RAV had 197,000 and the mechanic that changed our oil said a whole new exhaust system was in order. That was way more than we wanted to spend on a vehicle with that many miles on it.

So now Mama has a new ride and she is one happy woman!!!

Jenny and I are headed up to SAFF (a Southern Fiber Festival) tomorrow for the day with all our knitting friends!! Can't wait to see and purchase some of that lovely yarn!!! I'll be taking pictures to show you all the beautiful things there. Enjoy your weekend!

Aren't these Penquins cute!!

2011-10-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

I was taking a break from my work when I found this article on Animal Talk on the Today Show website. I am so glad they could save these little penquins-they are so cute!!

A good yarn: Knitters make sweaters for penguins after oil spill

Laura T. Coffey writes

It's a sad story with a happy twist. Blue penguins in New Zealand have been soaked with oil after a container ship ran aground near the east coast of the country's North Island earlier this month. New Zealand’s Environment Minister Nick Smith has described the oil spill as the nation’s “most significant maritime environmental disaster.”

A little blue penguin from Papamoa Beach, was covered in oil after a Liberian cargo ship hit a reef, on October 7 in Tauranga, New Zealand.

In their oil-soaked state, the birds shouldn’t preen themselves because their feathers are contaminated. They also need help staying warm before and after rescue workers do what they can to clean them up.

So Skeinz, a knitting shop in Napier, New Zealand, put out a call for knitters to make little sweaters for penguins in need. And boy, have knitters around the world responded. One blog post from the folks at Skeinz.com ran under the headline “It’s raining jumpers.” Another ran with the headline “We have Critical Mass” — but Skeinz is still encouraging determined knitters to send their handiwork along to “keep stocks available for the Wildlife Rescue Team to draw from if required.”

This isn't the first time that penguins have been outfitted with sweet little sweaters. Let's take a waddle down penguin lane to see some penguins in sweaters — because you can never enough photos of that!

Back in 2005 in Australia, tiny fairy penguins Toby and Percina modeled sweaters that were being sent for the rehabilitation of penguins involved in oil spills.

In 2000, a group of penguins were rescued off the coast of South Africa after getting caught in a spill from a sunken carrier ship. Sweaters helped them stay warm while they recovered.

Want to make an adorable sweater for a penguin in a pinch? You can find specifications — (for instance, they must be made of 100 percent wool yarn, and they must be just the right size) — as well as an address to send your creations, here.

AP file

If I wasn't working full time, I would like to make.......

2011-10-19T06:45:00.000-07:00

I was daydreaming the other day (I seem to do that alot lately :)!) and I was fantasizing about not working full time. The things I would have time to make would be never ending! I knit and make jewelry now but there is so much more crafty ideas out there! I have been addicted to www.pinterest.com and they have not been helping with my daydreaming affliction-LOL!! Here are a few things on there that I would like to make (even though I work full time):

Aren't these covered buttons the cutest bookmarks you ever saw!!

My oldest daughter, Megan made a few wreaths similar to this a few years ago and it was gorgeous. I love it!

I could use some of these coasters right now!

I thought this sweater was just gorgeous. I think I will try to make it over the winter so it will be already to go next spring and summer.

My Aunt Annette and I made felt ornaments one year for Christmas and they were beautiful. We made cardinals and Victorian boots. I really love these two choices!

I just may have to make the time to make these Santa ornaments with Owen!! Wouldn't they be wonderful keepsakes!

I wouldn't mind one of these headbands for myself. I always have cold ears!

Knitted mittens are always lovely! I especially love this pattern!

My sister, Sue was hinting that she would love a knitted purse someday-this may be the one I will create for her.

I thought these lace votives would be wonderful for Valentine's Day don't you!

Last but not least on my ever growing list is this wonderful yarn ball wreath! I love it. I might have to make this for the yarn shop owner as an early Christmas present!!

I really hope I do get to make all of these things! They are all such wonderful ideas. It is a good thing I don't work from home because I think I would be playing hookey more than working!!!

Beautiful Architecture!

2011-10-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

I guess I have always been interested in architecture. My Dad was a residential builder and I work for a commercial construction company. I saw some really beautiful examples of architecture today on www.pinterest.com. I love that site!!!! Most of these architectural photos are things that were built a long time ago, you just don't see much new detail like these lovelies. I thought I would share these beauties with you!

This is the staircase at the Bristol Palace in Genoa, Italy-just a masterpiece!!

This cathedral top window is just beautiful!

I get dizzy looking at this staircase, but can imagine building it!!

Columns have always been one of my loves! This one doesn't disappoint.

I love old world doors. The carving on this door must have taken months if not a year to do by hand.

Wouldn't a bride look lovely floating down this staircase to her groom! Love the leaf color too!

Most people don't take time to look at door knobs and door knob plates, but this one is just exquisite.

There are alot of staircases in Charleston like this. I have one hanging in my office-just so graceful.

Well that is it for today! Hope you enjoyed these beauties!!

Delightful Pumpkins!!

2011-10-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

I was on www.pinterest.com (my new website I love, love, love!!) and I saw some cute pumpkins and some really amazing pumpkins. I thought I would share them with you:

(All of the following photos are via www.pinterest.com)

WOW, this house looks like it is on fire with all those lit Jack-o-Lanterns!!

Gotta love the Wicked Witch of the West's legs!

This must have taken hours to create!

I love this "Boo" grouping of pumpkins!

These pumpkins just made me smile-they all look so happy!

What a creative idea-Fall spelled out with old skeleton keys on the pumpkins!

This monogram really looks great on this white pumpkin. I wouldn't mind having one of those!

If you want to have a spooky group of pumpkins, these skeleton arms would work. I love the headstone with them too!

I love the new velvet pumpkins and this one is high on my list because it is in a tea cup!

For some reason I think this pumpkin looks elegant in the cornhusk filled urn. Very festive too!

Well that is it for today! I love all the Fall things on pinterest! Enjoy your weekend!

Kitchens, Eating Areas and a Lovely Barn Home!

2011-10-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

I was on the marthastewart site and I saw this fabulous barn-style kitchen picture:

It is perfect!!! I love it!!

You can tour the rest of the house on Martha's site too. Here are some more pictures of this beautiful barn home:

What a wonder place to curl up and snug under a throw around the fireplace. I wish I was there right now!!

The wood beams in this photo are awesome! The whole picture is awesome as far as I'm concerned!

Here are some other kitchen or eating areas that I found on Martha's site:

I love the blue paint on the walls in this room. Everything about this room is beautiful!

Isn't this a cozy place to eat on this enclosed porch!

If you are into Retro, this is the place to be!

This cottage kitchen is a favorite of mine too! I love the wood countertops.

What a wonderful thing dreaming is!! Everyone have a wonderful day!!

Owen and the finished lion costume.

2011-10-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

Owen's lion costume is finished! I had to make some adjustments but he looks so cute in it! Owen was really sleepy by the time I got the costume done so I had to take 2 pictures. One with the whole costume on minus his lions mane and the other is just the little hood with the lions mane done. Jenny will take more pictures of him in the entire costume but I thought I would give you a peek of it.

Jenny was holding Owen with the lion costume done minus the lions mane.

He got too hot in the costume so we just put the hood on with the lions mane.

What a cutie pie!!!

Blowing Rock, NC

2011-10-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

John and I drove up to Blowing Rock today. The weather was just gorgeous today! We walked around, had a bite to eat at Six Pence Restaurant, did a little shopping and just enjoyed a beautiful sunshine filled day together! Here are some photos of our day:

Main Street Blowing Rock, NC

Adirondack Chairs outside the Bob Timberlake Store.

Silk flowers in a shop.

Halloween black bicycle outside a shop.

Yellow leaves and Carolina blue sky.

Beautiful Key Windchimes in a shop. I might try and make this!

Beautiful Fall leaves in Blowing Rock.

Beautiful view of the Smokey Mountains!

I also went into a really love yarn shop. They had these sweater kits you could buy. This is what it looks like when you are all done knitting it. Two different view:

John and I are thinking of going back to Blowing Rock around Christmas. I think it would be really beautiful there with all the decorations!

Hope everyone is having a really wonderful weekend!

Say hello to my little friend!

2011-10-06T19:22:00.000-07:00

Last night John and I were letting Teddy out before bed last night and we saw little green blob on the side of the house. I knew right away what that little green blob was-a little green tree frog! I have named him Jorge! At our last house we had a little green tree frog named Fernando. I know you probably think I have lost it but reassured I have not-LOL!! The temps had dropped here last night so I think Jorge was trying to keep warm by clinging to the houses vinyl siding. I was thinking of writing a child's book about Fernando, now maybe I'll write a book about Fernando and Jorge!!

I also wanted to show you the last fresh tomato, basil and mozarella salad John and I had with our dinner tonight and it was yummy!!

Sugar Maple and The Travelling Woman!

2011-10-06T05:56:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting finished with the Sugar Maple Shawl I am making for my oldest daughter Megan. I am making hers in black with a very tiny glimmer of silver thread running through the yarn. Last night I spent over an hour trying to figure out how to pick up all the stitches to make the ruffle on the oblong part I had knitted. I finally figured it out and tonight I should be starting the ruffle! Hopefully it won't take much longer so she can start using it with the cooler mornings and evenings we have been having.

I will then be starting another type shawl called The Travelling Woman. Here is a photo of what it will look like, but I will be making it in another color.

I have a lovely baby alpaca/merino cream yarn or a lighter weight yarn that is the colors of leaves and berries. Such choices I have to make!!

Feeling better today after just resting last night and having soup. I will continue drinking lots and resting! Thanks for everyone that wished me well!

Everyone have a wonderful day!!

Feeling under the weather!

2011-10-05T06:47:00.001-07:00

I seemed to have picked up the cold that everyone in my office is sharing! I am at work today but I really considered calling in. I will go straight home from work today and then have some soup and rest. I thought it was just allergies at first but then figured out it is a cold. Hope it goes away soon!

Autumn Decorating and the Weekend!

2011-10-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

My weekend started a day earlier than normal. I took Friday off from work. I went and had my mammogram, then off to the Megan's house to have lunch with Jenny, Owen and Megan. We went to Osaka's. While Megan had sushi, Jenny and I had Habachi Chicken and I also had shrimp in mine. Then Jenny headed to work for a hour or so for a meeting and Megan, Owen and I headed over to my house to work on Halloween costumes. I got Megan's all done including the Queen of Hearts necklace she wanted-it turned out awesome (forgot to take a picture of it though)! Didn't get to work on Owen's due to lack of time, but I will be finishing up his costume today. Then Jenny came back and got Megan to take her home. John and I had Owen over night and what a good baby he was. We read to him, played with him, "talked" with him, etc. I put him down at 9:30 p.m. and he slept until 7:30 a.m. Sat. morning. He is such a sweetheart and a blessing!

Here is Owen trying to "talk" to us in his baby language!

After Jenny came and picked Owen up John and I headed out to get some McIntosh apples so I could make an apple crisp. We were breaking in the new firepit and we needed something to have with our tea really!

Went out to the mailbox and I was surprised my yarn I had ordered from a woman (her site is Zibeline Knits) on etsy had arrived! Just gorgeous as you can see:

John and I had gone to Home Depot when we got the apples. We bought 4 mums for the urns out front and a flowering Kale. I planted them as you will see in the next few pictures:

I love the way the sunlight was illuminating the porch-love the shadows!

This color is my favorite out of the purple, white, yellow and rust mums Home Depot had.

This flowering Kale goes perfectly in the wire basket my Mom gave me years ago!

I love the colors and veining of the Kale leaves. This photo has been untouched, these are the true colors.

I had to add a little Halloween in the front yard for Owen! Well maybe for myself-LOL!!

A piece of the mum broke off, so I got out the vase my Grandma gave me and the mum looks beautiful in it!

Then I decided it was time to decorate the house for Autumn! I love this time of year!! Here is what I did:

I got the entire mantel in the Family Room all decked out in Autumn!

This is a closeup of the left side of the mantel.

The middle.

The right side of the mantel.

Here is a little vignette on my white washed little cupboard.

I have a little stand in the front hall by the stairs so I decided it need to have some Autumn.

I have a blue cupboard in the Dining Room. I had a teapot with sugar and creamer that had little violets on them but it was time to switch it out for Fall.

So I put out my Francisan Apple coffeepot and sugar and creamer for the Autumn season. I love this set!! I have a teapot and dessert plates to match also!

Here is the other side of the blue cupboard decorations. I love how the Dining Room Chandelier reflected in the Campanelli print we have in there!

I have this candleholder and ghost in the butler pantry area.

Years ago Jenny had given me a huge glass bowl for Christmas. I decided to put my Autumn potpourri in here this year.

The girls used to love this little ghost with the three pumpkins hanging over it. They used to say it looked like the ghost was juggling the pumpkins!

I bought this little wooden wall hanging probably over 20 years ago. It is so cute!

I have a faux pumpkin that looks so real! Everyone that comes to the house always remarks how beautiful the pumpkin is they want to know which farmstand I bought it from! I love it next to the huge basket I hid the stereo speakers hidden in.

And lastly here is the firepit. I bought this firepit for John this year for his birthday and Father's Day. Of course June was too hot but we both knew the weather would change to cooler weather and boy did it! Last night it dipped down in the low 40's, high 30's!! It was so nice to sit outside sipping hot tea and eating apple crisp!

Today I'm taking a more less event filled day. I will be chilling out until around 1 when I'm meeting my knitting friends for a few hours. We will be chatting and knitting away!

Hope everyone had an awesome weekend!!

We have a winner!!

2011-10-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

Kim at Happy@Home is the winner of my Autumn Giveaway! Kim, I will be mailing you the All About Autumn bookmark on Monday. Congratulations!!

Autumn Giveaway!

2011-09-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about having an Autumn Giveaway and I finally decided what I was going to do. I made this All About Autumn bookmark for my etsy page and I've decided to give away one just like it!

The ribbon is a grosgrain ribbon in brown and an off white color almost taupe actually. Then I have placed an acorn cap on a brown (acorn colored) bead and created the acorn drop. The leaves are antiqued bronze. I have placed a chocolate pearl and antiqued gold bead at the other end. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it!

(**Note: I am sorry to say that I can only offer this giveway to U.S. residence only at this time**)

All you have to do to enter is:

1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. Leave me your e-mail address so I can contact you when you win (if you do not leave your e- mail address I will have to go on to the next person).
3. Leave your comment by October 1st. I will be picking the winner on October 2nd and notifying the winner by e-mail. If you do not respond to the e-mail in 48 hours, I will pick the next person in line as the winner.

Good luck everyone!!! Happy Fall Y'all!!!

Beautiful Autumn Front Porches

2011-09-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

I love looking at how people decorate their front porches for Halloween or Autumn. I went on goggle.com and found some really beautiful porches and some really great ideas for decorating your porch.

Every Halloween porch needs some crows.

This porch is the epitomy of Autumn!! It has everything!

I love the monogrammed pumpkin!! The owner of this home also put a monogram on their door.

These orange mums go wonderfully with the white pumpkins! I also love the pumpkin lanterns this home owner hung from their porch-just awesome!

The house number on the one pumpkin is done with upholstery tacks. How clever!

Love the scarecrow and corn shucks in this picture. Really compliments the pumpkins and mums. Great decorations!

I love, love, love this idea!!

What a great idea to write Welcome Friends on pumpkins and put them in a wheelbarrow. I love the addition of gourds and bittersweet. Very festive!!

I hope you got some ideas and enjoyed viewing these beautiful porches and decorating ideas. Happy Autumn!!

Lions and Tigers and Bears!!

2011-09-28T06:17:00.000-07:00

Lion

Tiger

Bear

OH

MY!!

All pictures are via Google.com

Lions, Tigers and Bears oh my!!! That is what is going on around our house! I am making Owen a Lion Halloween costume (not wild like the one in this picture). Just a cuddly lion! Jenny found the little tiger costume that Owen is modeling in the middle picture. Isn't he such a cutie!! I love this picture! The bear in the third picture just goes along with the lion, tigers and bears oh my! theme!! I think Jenny is looking for a bear costume too. Do you think she likes costumes-LOL!!!

I have to explain one thing. Jenny was a photographer and loves to take photos of Owen in all sorts of costumes. She has at times become very creative. I told her she is a blossoming Anne Geddess (the woman that takes all the pictures of babies in flowers, etc.).

Our Afternoon and Evening with Owen and Jenny

2011-09-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

Kevin brought Owen down to our house around 12:30 today. Jenny was working and would be coming to our house for dinner after work. John and I played with Owen. He was really sleepy and slept for about 2 hrs. before Jenny got here. Kevin has a cold so he went back home to rest. We had a really nice dinner with Jenny and then John had to go to a meeting at our church. Jenny and I worked on Owen's Halloween costume and got alot of it done! Owen was chatting to us while we worked and then he nodded off for the rest of the night. Jenny and I had alot of fun working on the costume together and chatting about a multitude of things. What a lovely and memorable evening together! Here are some new photos of Owen and Jenny:

Owen and Jenny at the dinner table. She is such an awesome Mom.

Kevin had dressed Owen in his Crawl the Line-Johnny Cash onsie!

Papa and Owen having a visit on the couch.

This is the blanket I made Owen before he was born. He loves snuggling in it, especially on our couch!

Owen and I laughing. I love that little baby!

Sleepy boy. I think Jenny and I wore him out!

What a lovely and memorable evening!

Weekend is finally arriving!!

2011-09-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

It has been raining off and on here in Charlotte for the last few days. We really need the rain and I don't mind. I love just curling up with a book, knitting and watching TV in weather like this. I am so glad Friday is here! I have alot planned for this weekend. John and I are having lunch with Megan and Ken. Then Megan is coming to our house and we will be working on her Halloween Costume. She is going to be the Queen of Hearts! Jenny has a really big Halloween party and they all dress up. I will be having Owen overnight for that party and I can't wait!! He is sleeping through the night now so that will be nice :). Then Sunday I will be working on jewelry and Owen's Lion Halloween costume. Jenny, Owen and Kevin are coming over for dinner and then Owen gets to try on his costume. Jenny and I will be making the hood with the lion's mane after dinner. I might even try to squeeze some knitting in with some friends on Sunday too!

There is always something going on around our house-never a dull moment!! I hope everyone has a great day today and a wonderful weekend! ENJOY!!!

Nature's Wrapture-Great Shawl Knitting Book!

2011-09-21T07:05:00.000-07:00

I found a new and wonderful knitting book called Nature's Wrapture: Comtemporary Knitted Shawls by Sheryl Thies. I love this book! There are so many different beautiful shawl patterns in this book, I don't know which one to start!

Here is what amazon.com had to say about this book:

Adorn yourself with the exquisite textures, lacy patterns, and glorious colors of nature.

Find 20 captivating wraps, shawls, and scarves in flattering styles ranging from casual accessories to elegant evening wear. The patterns display basic shapes and plenty of variety--ideal for confident beginners as well as experienced knitters.

Requiring little or no finishing, projects such as Dragonfly, Snowdrift, Waterfall, Cocoon, and Supernova invite knitters to celebrate the mystery and magic that surrounds us.

Knit yourself a natural wonder!

If you are a knitter and love shawls this is the book for you!!

**Note: I have not been asked to write this review nor have I been paid by anyone or any company to do so.

Spanish Class Update!

2011-09-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

Oh boy did I work my behind off yesterday in the second Spanish Class!! We were learning numbers 1-100 in Spanish. That would have been all right just by itself but then the teacher thought it would be great to play a card game called 99. YIKES!!! We had to add cards in English, convert to Spanish, say it in Spanish and then continue round and round until there was 1 person left! I have a hard time with math even without converting from English to Spanish-LOL!!! I got myself all worked up over this because on my team of card players was both the owners of the company and my boss (one of the owners) is a math genius. No he really is!! He used to write computer programs for the FBI and the CIA!! See what I mean! I made it through but when I was done with the game and the class I was mentally exhausted. While John and I were having dinner, I was telling him about the class. I told him I really don't know what the matter is with my brain blocking on certain words or phrases. He reminded me I had a auto accident 1 yr. ago 9/11/10 and I ended up with Bell's Palsy. He said the Bell's Palsy probably has something to do with it. I was talking to one of the girls in the office and she told me Bell's Palsy can give you some form of localized amnesia because a very small part of the brain was injured and has not healed or may never heal. I will have to look into this.

Next week we won't be allowed to walk through the classroom door without telling Kelly our instructor what the Spanish word she just said or if she says a word in English we must tell her what it is in Spanish!! I think this class is more than I bargained for!! I am bound and determined though to learn Spanish!!

Spanish Class-Second One Tomorrow!

2011-09-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

The company I work for is a commercial construction company. We have many Subcontractors that have Spanish speaking workers so one of the owners of our company decided to hold a Construction Spanish Class. We had the first one last Monday and it was alot of fun! I have been practicing in the car, at home, I've had John quiz me and I think I am ready for my second class tomorrow. I am the only woman in the company taking the class and to tell you the truth it is like grammar school again! Some men in class like to cover up their horrible attempts at learning this language with joking about everything! The teacher is really spunky and doesn't put up with them at all, which is great!! Her name is Kelly and she is from the local community college. There are 13 of us taking the class and she is definitely working hard for her money!!

Tomorrow we are learning numbers and a few other phrases. I have gone ahead in the book and I have been practicing. I always need to say things over and over again. John gives me a quiz in both English and Spanish so I can fully understand everything. He is a very good teacher!

Well I'm off to do some knitting on the shawl I'm making for Megan. I say to you Adios!!

Mother Natures Wonders

2011-09-17T20:31:00.000-07:00

Today I was walking around the yard and I happened upon some truly amazing wonders from Mother Nature!

First I found 3 mushroom formations which were truly works of art. Here they are:

Then to the other end of the spectrum of Mother Nature I noticed my Rose of Sharon, which I brought with me from NJ when we moved here in 2004 was blooming so beautifully. Here are 2 pictures of them:

There is a story behind this Rose of Sharon tree. John and I had bought a victorian house in Branchville, NJ in 1986. We were the 3rd owner of this 75 yr. old home. There was a beautiful Rose of Sharon tree next to our window in the Dining Room. Every year little trees would come up and one year I gave my Dad one of the little trees for his house. About 4 yrs. later the Rose of Sharon tree at our house became diseased and died. My Dad's Rose of Sharon continued to thrive and grow into a huge tree. When we were leaving to move to NC in 2004 my Dad gave me a little Rose of Sharon tree from his tree. We planted it our first house here. When we moved to the townhouse it was doing very well, so I dug it up and put it in a nice larger planter. When we moved here I planted in the ground next to the fence in the backyard. The tree is thriving and reminds me a little of our first victorian and all the happy ties there! That tree has really made the rounds hasn't it!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! Happy Fall Y'all!!

Friday, Lovely Friday!!

2011-09-16T05:13:00.000-07:00

This week has been so busy at work and home! I am so ready for the weekend to begin. I don't have alot of things planned but what I do is all fun! I will be making some more ribbon bookmarks for my etsy site. I have added some new things and I want to create more. I will be doing some knitting also and some reading. I will be working on Owen's Lion Halloween costume too! Can't wait to see him in it!! Other than that John and I are having a pretty low-keyed weekend. I think we both need this after such a busy week!

Enjoy the weekend everyone!!

Tea, Knitting, Outside and Bookmarks!

2011-09-12T19:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning I woke up around 8:00 and John was still sleeping. I let Teddy out and felt the chilled air. I decided to brew myself a cup of tea and sit out on the patio. I brought my knitting outside too. The light coming through the trees and the palm tree I have next to the patio was just beautiful! I set outside for quite a few hours just taking in nature, the wonderful aroma and taste of my vanilla tea and the solitude. Here are some pictures of my day:

The sunlight on the fence in our backyard was just gorgeous!

This is the gazebo birdfeeder my Dad made. It was a very busy place with all the birds flying in for breakfast!

I love the way the sun shines through my palm tree-very ethereal!

I love drinking tea in this mug that I had bought in Sea Grove, NC. This mug was bought many years ago at Dirt Works studio.

Here is a closeup of the little rabbit pottery tea bag holder I bought many years ago in a little shop in Newton, NJ called Abigails. I love this little holder!!

Here is the black shimmer shawl that I am working on for Megan. It is turning out really pretty if I may say so myself!

This little bird candle holder is on my picnic table. It is one of my favorite little picnic table items.

Teddy decided to keep me company on the patio. Isn't he cute!!

After I chilled out on the patio for a while I started to feel some creative vibes. I moved inside into my craft room and created these lovely items. I have just added them to my etsy site if you are interested in buying some:

Blue Bird of Happiness Ribbon Bookmark

Cafe au Lait Ribbon Bookmark

Ruffle Ribbon Bookmark

Vintage Monogram Magnet

That's about it for today!