Seasons of Thy Heart

Happy Monday!

2012-01-30T16:11:00.001-07:00

Anybody know where January went? One month of the new year already gone!

Well, after tomorrow anyway. The older I get the faster the days go by-please tell me you can

relate to this too!!! ~smile~

First off, an update on my MIL. Thankfully she is over the flu. Poor gal said she'd never had such

pain and soreness in her stomach that she can remember.

Believe me, nothing wrong with her memory!

So, she's been feeling pretty good the latter part of last week, went and had her hair done

and while she was out (on her own) went to a local furniture store and purchased herself

a new swivel/rocker chair and ottoman. It was delivered this afternoon so

I'll go see it tomorrow when I go into town to exercise in the morning.

As far as the kidney function, well she's doing the best she can and it's a day to day thing.

For now, she's in good spirits, still doing much of her own housework and driving two miles into Walmart and a few other stores and insisting on doing these

things so long as she is able to and that's all we can ask for.

She enjoys reading so I just purchased The Help and Water For Elephants

for her upcoming birthday on the 12th. Both books were highly recommended by a friend who gave both of them to her mom and MIL for Christmas. I would like to read them as well.

Have any of you read either of these books?

This morning I had an appointment with a "June bride" to discuss her wedding flowers.

Orange day lilies and deep purple calla lilies!!!!! Should be interesting as I was unable to talk her into adding a few other colors or different flowers for contrast and texture.

We shall see what happens. . . . . . . . .

Then I headed off to our local thrift stores.

All two of them!

I want to make some "pennies" no specific design in mind just need something else to keep my hands busy while visiting or in front of the tv at night with the hubs.

So, I found these.

This is a 100% wool heavy pleated, long skirt. A Pendleton, and I don't believe it has ever been worn.

Well, the price was right so home it came. As the sales clerk is putting it in the bag she says to me,

"this should keep you nice and warm on a day like today." She obviously did not realize that there was way to much fabric there for my slightly under 5' height and if I did put it on it would have be on

my shoulders just to keep it from dragging on the ground! I was told by a "seasoned" wool garment purchaser, never tell them what you will be doing with the item, like cutting it up.

They may not let you buy it!

This is a two piece suit (for someone very skinny I might add) but it is a wool/acrylic blend.

Again, the price was right but I'm waiting to find out if "blends" can be used or not.

I'm so new to this.

This is 3 yards of 45" deep red heavy fabric that I HAD to have!

Me and my RED, $2 and it came home too.

and lastly, these bright primary colors of felt were stuffed in a gallon zip lock.

I hope someone can tell me if tea dying these pieces will work to tone them down.

So, that was my day.

Nothing compared to what many of you find at your thrift stores and second hand shops

but it is what it is! I'm still looking to find that diamond in the rough like
Linda Claus found-that beautiful wedding ring quilt!

Truthfully, I think that was one in a million find.

Have a great evening everyone.

Warm hugz,

Sheila

Thank you friends~

2012-01-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to pop in and thank each and everyone of you for

taking a moment to stop and leave a kind word and prayers

on yesterday's post.

My MIL is feeling much better since the symptoms of the stomach flu have

subsided. She said never has she had cramps like that before.

I've read from several folks that this strain of flu has been a really bad one.

NOW, I hope I don't get it!

I did have a better day myself, my legs felt so good and I was able to move around

with much more ease and no pain and I accomplished so much.

That in its self boosted my spirits, as I'm not usually a sit around person!

Why I waited so long for the shots I'll never know!

So, big hugs to you all for taking the time to stop by.

You all are special friends.

hugz,

Sheila

A Sweet Surprise~

2012-01-25T09:12:00.001-07:00

Good morning dear friends. How are you doing today?

I wanted to share a sweet surprise I got in the mail yesterday.
Dear Lois aka Huckleberry Lady

sent me a little box of goodies and they couldn't have been more welcomed than yesterday.

A beautiful card, some wonderful lotion, a Coca Cola tin filled with chocolate of course!

The tin will be added to my small collection of Coca Cola items.

She made the cute heart shaped pot holders and the wonderful X and O's bowl fillers.

Thank you, thank you Lois for this sweet surprise.

Also, Lois is having a give away. Hop on over to her blog and sign up quickly as she

will choose the lucky winner Sunday night!

She's giving away these wonderful Valentine ornies.

Things have been hectic around here; end of last week I had to take my MIL to the kidney doctor for an update on her condition. Not good. We found out last fall that she was born with one kidney smaller than the other and the other one isn't able to keep up it's job. The specialist had given her the choice of going on dialysis or continuing on the way she has been. Of course she said she was to old for the dialysis, didn't want to be kept down more than she already has, so she opted to change her diet to accommodate the remaining kidney function. Well, let me tell you, for those of you who have never had kidney problems this is tough. This woman all her life has eaten healthy, whole grains, tons of vegies, and in general just been mindful of what she put in her body, oh yea there have been some sweets in there too ~smile~

After all, a woman needs chocolate once in a while.

The diet change has been to all the things that she's stayed away from. White breads, no beans of any kind, has to peel and soak any root vegie prior to cooking in order to remove the "phosphorus" that is harmful to her kidneys. There is a huge list of things that she has to stay away from.

It's a chore to for her to do so today I'm going to prepare some meals for her to keep on hand.

For now she is still in her own place, for how much longer we don't know. As of Sunday she got the stomach flu and when I went there yesterday she wasn't doing well.

Praying she is better today when I get there.

So a midst all of this, bearing the news about Janice and dealing with my own health issues it's been a rough week. Thankfully yesterday I did get to a new internist for my B/P and arthritis meds AND got a shot of cortisone in each knee. I HATE the sight of needles and I'll just leave it at that.

I am movin' around much better today and very grateful for the shots. Once again I am putting off the knee replacement till we know what will be happening with my MIL. There is a chance we will be bringing her here sooner than we thought. I will be fine for a while longer.

Had to share this one. So many of us are taking care of our elderly parents.

We'll be there one day ourselves.

Warm hugs to all of you dear friends.

Stay warm~

Sheila

Mourning the loss of a friend~

2012-01-23T05:36:00.003-07:00

Our crafting community and blog friend

Janice of Black Creek Primitives

passed away on Saturday, January 21st.

My heart aches knowing she is gone.

I'm not sure how many of you knew Janice, but
she was a very talented and generous lady. I have many
items that I purchased from her to include in the creations
and ideas I have in store for spring crafting. She was a
perfectionist and it showed in her work.

She will be missed.
Thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Creating to my Hearts Content~

2012-01-20T20:15:00.001-07:00

Hello friends! Hope everyone is staying warm and dry. We've had rain for a few days and quite a bit of snow in the mountains. Fine by me, that'll make the skiers happy. I don't like driving on the slick roads so I'm not complaining. I have been blog hopping and seeing pictures of the snow that many of you have been getting. Can't believe all the snow and rain that Washington and Oregon has received!

Lots of flooding and folks without power.

You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thought I'd share a few pics of the things I've made the last few days. Can't show all the things I made Gina for our "Heart of Winter" swap though-sorry Gina you'll have to wait a few more days. ;-)

Made these fabric heart make-do's using a very sturdy old bed spring!

Put a little sweet annie, spanish moss with a wild rose blossom at the bottom and added a tag.

Each one is a little different from the other. They are approximately 10 1/2 inches tall.

$10.00 plus s/h

SOLD

"Be Mine"

"Be My Valentine"

"You Melt My Heart"

Special order Valentine light box arrangement.

Others can be ordered at $30 plus s/h

Wooden Valentine tree with wooden hearts and rusty bells in a grungy can.

$20 plus s/h

If anyone is interested in something just send me an email.

Thanks and warm blessings,

~Sheila

A little cleaning, new displays and Treasures~

2012-01-12T07:51:00.001-07:00

Good chilly morning friends! High of 3 degrees already, might reach 15 by noon time. So thankful for my cozy little home and the warm constant heat from the wood stove.

What have you been up too?

As mentioned in my previous post, I've been cleaning, organizing and tweaking a few areas around the house. After putting away what Christmas decor I did bring out, I thought it was a good time to clean up the cob webs and give everything a good dusting and start fresh. I want to do some painting and stenciling but will wait till the weather warms up in a few months.

Here are a few pics of some of the focal points around my home, beginning with the oak display hutch. I changed out the top and made a grouping of some of the Mammy things I've collected and moved around the kitchen ware and utensils along with the old Good Housekeeping Home Manual. The green mixing bowl was given to me by my MIL and is a Fire King brand. It holds an old pastry cutter, sifter, and biscuit cutter and an old box of Cinnamon sticks with a few still in there.

The second shelf is my "coffee" items. The coffee pot Cathy of Tolentreasures painted, along with a sign I purchased from Lisa at Prims from Above that says "old black crow coffee" and the large coffee tin was given to me by a dear friend who is no longer with us.

The larger trencher on the bottom holds a pineapple that I received from Amy at Bumble Bee Lane.

I'd like to add something else to it but not sure what. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Finally brought out the old wooden ironing board Mr. B bought me a few years ago. I did have it out a year or two ago, then like we do I changed things around. I spotted it at an antique store on one of our day excursions and mentioned I'd like to have one some day. Of course his response was Why? -lol-

After almost 36 years you'd think the man would understand it's the little things that make me happy!

Well, he surprised me with it about a month later.

Yep, I cried. Doesn't take much.

That's one of Firecracker Kid's creations in "red" of course. This display is the first thing you see when you come in the back door. Some of you will notice your bonnets too!

Shelf above the sliding doors to the backyard. Small collection of maple syrup containers, a sign I picked up at a yard sale in Washington, the old scale and a set of silver salt and pepper shakers that was a wedding gift from a long time family friend of my MIL.

I moved the treasured cookbook to the other side of the kitchen. I always have the flag displayed with it regardless of the season or holiday!

Living room shelf display.

That story book is from Mr. B's childhood along with a few treasures from blog friends.

and finally, the top of the TV cabinet........

Yes, it still has the stacking boxes but I added the bear, a few more bobbins, a bear story book and a jar of "lost" marbles that I had as a kid. The ball on the left is covered by tiny pieces of log cabin squares a friend gave me years ago and the "old treasures" sign Mr. gave me for Christmas. It isn't old but he thought (on his own this time) that I would like it as it describes the things that make me happy!

I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.

Well folks, not much else going on here. Everyone seems to be hibernating like bears now that the holidays are over. Haven't seen my boys since Christmas-might just have to take a ride over the mountains to see them this weekend. I'm sure their Papa won't have a problem with that at all.

Hope you all have a great weekend and those of you who have been sick I pray you are doing better.

Stay warm!

Blessings,

Sheila

Happy Birthday! Linda "Claus"

2012-01-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

~*~*~*~*~*HAPPY BIRTHDAY*~*~*~*~*~

LINDA "CLAUS" PARKER!!!

May your day be filled with love and joy~

hugs and blessings

to you dear blogging friend!

Hello Sweet Friends ~

2012-01-06T14:49:00.001-07:00

I've been here and there reading your blogs, keeping up with most of you although not always commenting. Sounds like there are lots of you who have been sick with the flu or cold or have someone in your family that has been sick. It's been like that around here too. Mr. B has had a second round of chest congestion and the worst cough that just seems to linger. Started again the day after Christmas and is just now letting up.

I mentioned in my last post that I was making some changes and would have some new things to share. Well, I have made changes, starting with my blog layout and background. I purchased this layout from Amy at www.amybug.com and had her add the words under my blog name. I like the new look and my intention is to share pictures of my kiddos, new items that I create and notes of interest as well as adding buttons from other bloggers and their websites. So if you'd like to have your button included you can email it to me.

I'm not done yet, still doing some tweaking and adding.

Like so many of you, I've been working on "ORGANIZING" - my computer, my closets, my craft room, my storage room, my LIFE! I've let things go for to long. I worried that if I didn't get a handle on it right now that I would be on the next "hoarders" show. -lol- I purchased more totes, made labels, and proceeded to get after it. I'm far from finished but I've made a good dent in it. Took my first load to town today where some went to the GW, the Women's Crisis Center, and TS. Sad because that's where most of it came from. I know I'm not the only one who buys something thinking they'll do this or that with it and that day never comes. Always had good intentions but if I haven't touched by now chances are I won't.

Also went through the decorations that we collected for our kids as they were growing up and since they both have homes of their own now they are getting their collection the next time they visit.

One more thing off my list, bittersweet as it was to part with them.

Working on some Valentines arrangements and putting together some goodies for the

swap that Amy is hosting ♥ of Winter Swap~

and getting to know my partner Gina of Cat Nap Inn Primitives!

Excited for this swap-hope you are too Gina!

Look what I got today!

I had a pleasant surprise in the mail today. NO BILLS!

and best of all was a package from

Dear Linda "Claus" Parker!

I am now the proud owner of a special handmade treasure from Linda.

THANK YOU so much Linda for the sweet gift and cute card.

This sweet gift brightened my day and made me smile just when I needed a little hug.

I was feeling sad about the loss of my uncle who passed away this week.

Another leaf fallen from my very small family tree.

This is a picture of our backyard taken today. Unlike last year at this time when we had so much snow.

We've had temps in the high 40's for about a week and a half now. Barely any snow in the foothills beyond the field in this picture. I don't mind the dry roads but our water source depends on the snowfall in the mountains and it's pretty low compared to last season.

But if we want to play in the snow all we need to do is drive two hours and . . . . . . .

there it is!

This is my son with Jonas on the snow hill created by the neighbor and his plow.

They were taking a test run on the new steering sleds the boys got for Christmas. The top picture is the view from the front of our daughter's house. SIL pushing Alex on his sled.

My mountain man son and his sweet dog Bela. My first grand-dog and if ever there was a dog to clone this would be the one. She will be 12 this summer. He found her in June of 2000 left at the roadside, small enough to fit in his pocket, she has been with him ever since. She's just the right size and a sweetie. Doesn't like to be in the cold and he's always taken good care of her. That's her new bed she got for Christmas and it didn't take them long to belly up to the wood stove after playing out in the snow with the boys.

That's it for now. I still have a few other projects I'm working on while I have Mr. B at home to help out. He hasn't had much work in several months. Construction projects are being cancelled left and right around here so we aren't sure what's coming up for work. Praying that this year will be better for this country by putting more folks back to work, so far it's not looking to good.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Blessings and warm hugz~

Sheila

New Year and making some changes~

2012-01-03T07:44:00.001-07:00

Hi all ~ hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve!

I'm making some changes and I'll be back soon

with some new things to share.
In the meantime you can send me an email

Blessings,

Sheila