Trash to Treasure

My "trash to treasure" this week is this Santa. I purchased him for a couple of bucks at a local
Salvation Army Thrift Store several years. I just love him!

It's Monday!

What a way to start the week. My poor Tom dog is sick. We had a miserable night last night. He was not acting normal yesterday afternoon, but all the dogs here have been kind of goofy for the past couple of days. Anyway, every 5 minutes, he was getting up and moving. So as soon as the vet opened this morning, we were there. X-rays showed air in his stomach and for a greyhound, that can mean bloat. Not good. They did bloodwork, still waiting on results. Can't get him to urinate. But the second x-ray showed the air is almost moved out and he is feeling better. Hopefully by the time I get there at 3:00 they can get a specimen. So we really don't know what is going on. Maybe the bloodwork will tell us something. I can't wait to get him home.

P.s. This is my 100th post. I was hoping for some type of celebration, but just can't get my mind on anything else right now.

P.p.s Tom is home and resting now. Appears to have been bloat, but his stomach had not twisted yet. We are very thankful for his caregivers. They are wonderful at our vets office. Still waiting for blood test results and a urine test. Keeping my fingers crossed for good results!

Trash to Treasure

This week, my "treasure" is this nativity set. I know it doesn't look like much, but it is my absolute favorite Christmas decoration. My dad was going to throw it away when he got his new one, but I wanted it. It is so simple, I think that is why I love it so much. The manger is cardboard. It has a few tears in it, so I am very careful when I get it out. It has become even more special since my dad passed away last year. I didn't realize how much dusty it actually was. That darn camera doesn't know it is supposed to edit out the dust.

Finishing Projects

This weekend found me finishing projects. I have to get all this stuff done for various parties I am attending this week.

The first party is for The Heart of Newburgh. The shop party. I made a quilt for the boss, Becky. Donna quilted it for me, but now it the tedious part, the binding. It always takes me forever. I make such tiny stitches when I hand sew.

Second, the Bunco Christmas party. I am making ??? Can't really say, my friend Teresa sometimes reads my blog, so I want it to be a surprise. But, at least I have until Thursday to get those finished.

Trash To Treasure

I don't seem to be very consistent with my posting these days. But, it is pouring down rain here in Southern Indiana this morning and I am finding any excuse not to get ready for work. Here is my trash to treasure story this week.



When we first moved to Newburgh, I met my neighbor Delores. She was a very sweet "grandmotherish" type and a fellow sewer. She had this really cool sewing machine, which I later found out was a Bernina. I was a little envious then, but now that I am older, I really am jealous. My youngest daughter was just about 2 years old when we met her and we spent hours just sitting on her sewing room floor talking while she sewed. What a seamstress she was.



Delores decided she was going to move to another town and needed to downsize. She knew I had had my eye on this cabinet and she wanted it to go to someone who would love it as she had. It came to her from a neighbor man of hers who used to keep nuts and bolts in it. Can you imagine!Anyway, I was so excited that she wanted me to have her cabinet. I knew exactly what I would use it for. Santas of course! I usually close the doors after Christmas, but if I am feeling like a little Christmas during the year, I just open up the door and look at my Santas.

An Experiment

Lately, I have been reading recipes for Laundry Soap. I know, most people are thinking about Christmas cookies and other goodies. Not me! I have been wanting to try it for a long time. So, off I go to our new grocery store. Low and behold, they had everything I needed for the "recipe". Fels Naptha Bar Soap, 20 Mule Team Borax and Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (not to be confused with baking soda).

The recipe I found is on Tipnut. I made a big old batch. I hope it works, because it makes 2 gallons! Here is the recipe.

1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda

Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).

My family was fascinated. Hey, what you cookin'? Laundry Soap!

First Party of the Season

Last night I hosted our Christmas Party for our Homemakers Group, the Country Friends. Everyone brought their favorite holiday snack and my friend Lori made this yummy punch. After a brief meeting, we had an ornament exchange. Then we revealed our secret pals. It was so much fun watching everyone open their gifts and finally find out who their secret pal was.

At each meeting, the hostess gets to pick a charity that we either make monetary donations or bring items that the particular group might be needing. This month, the charity was Greyhound Pets of America. I brought my dogs up and introduced them to everyone. I gave a short talk about greyhounds. Tom, my shy dog, came up the stairs, took one look at all the people, and ran right back down. The girls, however, loved being the center of attention. As soon as one of the ladies got up, Dixie stole her spot on the couch. Smile and Sadie were loving all the attention. Here is our group picture with the pups. We collected over $50.00 for the dogs. That money I will give to the treasurer and it will be used to help the foster pups. It takes about a dollar a day to feed a foster dog. That will be enough food for almost 2 months. Every little bit helps. Thanks Country Friends!

Twisting Turning Twenty Part 2

Well, I got all of my blocks put together. It is so hard not to just keep on going once you get started. But, for me, that is probably a good thing. Sometimes I tend to get in a hurry, and then not be satisfied with the end result. I am still not sure about my fabric choices. I hope it turns out okay. This picture represents one dark square and one light square. I bet I spent 4 hours trying to pick out fabric. I can certainly appreciate those little bundles at the quilt stores. But I couldn't find one that had 20 fat quarters in it.

Happy Turkey Day!

Since I am not making dinner today, I spent the morning cutting out my blocks for my Twisted Turning Twenty Party! I don't know how this is going to look now that I have them cut out. But I guess it is too late for that one. Here are my choices.

Trash To Treasure Tuesday

My "trash" this week is a quilt that I made from old blue jeans. There are jeans that used to belong to me, my husband, my girls, my dad and even a couple of friends. The star fabric is scraps from some sewing that I did for a showroom in Columbus, Ohio. I squirrelled it away some time ago, saving it for just the perfect project. The ticking is from our "scrap" bin at the shop. Stop on over at A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words and see who else is participating this week.

I got my Swap Package!

When I got home from work today, there was a package waiting for me on the porch. It was from Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly. Heidi was my swap partner for her Very Vintage Christmas Swap. What a great partner she was and an early bird to boot. I had so many surprises in my package. A very sweet card and a glittery birdhouse. A very nice addition to my Christmas collection.

Next, a stocking with a Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark bar in it. I love this candy, so smooth with a hint of peppermint.

This very cool tin with peppermint cocoa in it. It had this adorable little scoop for it as well. I have lots of red in my kitchen. This will be nice for those cold Indiana evenings.

Shelf stars. Just scatter them among your Christmas Decor. I think I will put them in with some of my Santas.

A couple of Santa ornaments to add to my collection.

This adorable glittery candy cane. Another favorite. Thank you Heidi. You have been a great swap partner!

Christmas Questions

I just saw this at Simple Needs. I love this idea of getting to know my fellow bloggers. Here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just post the image and answers on your blog.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrap
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually, the weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Couple of days after Christmas

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, I love it!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Barbies, I still have them all!

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom
8. Easiest person to buy for? My daughter, Megan

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I have several small ones.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither, I gave it up a couple of years ago. I keep telling myself, this year, I will start again.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? ???? I can't say that I ever got a bad gift.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Rudolph

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I happen to think of it.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes! Go Green!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Everything!

16. Lights on the tree? All Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Can't say that I have a particular favorite
18. Travel at Christmas time or stay home? Stay at home. This comes from my childhood. My parents refused to leave the house on Christmas Day.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Greed. It seems so many people have the "gimme" attitude.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Ornament that my kids made.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Cheesy Potatoes.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Wow, that is a tough one. I would love to have my dad for just one more Christmas. But this is impossible. So I guess I will have to take him being with us in spirit.

Christmas Decorating

Well, it has begun. I was really wanting to wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving. But, since I am having our Homemakers Club Christmas Party here on Decemeber 2nd, I thought I better get with it. I didn't realize it was so soon. Here is the first decorating that I did.

I painted this picture several years ago. The year that I entered it in the Open Class at the fair, I won the Grand Grand Champion. I was champion over all of the Open Class Exhibits and the Homemakers Exhibits. Still one of my favorites. I have been working all weekend trying to get stuff out. I got things in their general place, now I have to go back and put in greenery and "tweak" things a bit.

My Armoire

I just finished reading a post at Donna's in the Attic about her antique armoire. It inspired me to tell the story behind my antique armoire, although not nearly as nice as Donna's.

My friend Dianne had this armoire for years. I had admired it for a really long time. They had moved into a much smaller home and she was going to sell some of her pieces. At the time, I really couldn't afford to buy it. But her daughter helped me out on that one. One day I was visiting their home, and their daughter Sarah was going to go pick up something at the store (not sure if that is exactly how it went, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it). Dianne was watching Sarah back out of the driveway and she starts saying "she's going to hit your car, she's going to hit your car". Oh come on now, quit joking. Sure enough. BANG! She scraped the entire side of the car. Well, my daughter had hit it in that general area earlier and we were going to have to fix it anyway, but she offered me the armoire for the scrape on the car. How could I resist? Now this armoire is in my sewing room. I don't have the doors, but I still love it! Isn't it beautiful?

Wednesday's Plans

Todays plans include a trip to a local nursing home with one of my greyhounds. I think I will take Sadie on this trip. Out of my three greyhounds, she travels well and will do the best in general in this atmosphere. Of course, getting out of the door without the others escaping too will be quite a feat. I must plan my strategy. They would all love to go, but Dixie hates to get in the car, and once we get there, they will probably have tile floors. That won't work for her. Tom, now he loves to go, but he will tremble the whole way there and the entire time we are there. After five years, he still gets nervous when we go places. I can't take Smile, fosters are not allowed on this greyhound community service project. Oh yeah, my nephew, Boris (the greyhound), will be going along too.

Just got back from The Protestant Home. Wow what a turnout we had. All in all, we had 10 dogs from our group present. Those residents loved it! We had a short presentation and then time for some questions. Then we got to take the dogs around to the rooms to visit the ones who couldn't get to the presentation. The dogs loved it too!

My Dream Storage Space

If you haven't been to Michaels lately, you have to check out these craft storage cubes. They recommend them for scrapbooking/card making storage. But, I would love to have either one of these configurations. I have told everyone that I want several of these different cubes. I had one with a glass door, I think it was a different manufacturer. Friday I purchased one of the 4-drawer cubes. You won't believe what you can get in those drawers. I got ribbons, dog collar making supplies, and zippers, bias tape, snaps, etc. in the other. I can't wait!

Trash to Treasure Tuesday

Since I was lagging behind for last week, I was bound and determined to get a post for Trash to Treasure Tuesday this time.

My "treasure" is this bench. A couple of years ago, my husband was working on the weekends doing some home remodeling with a friend. They were working on a house where this lady had left lots of "trash". I got quite a few goodies from that deal. One of the legs where the siderail went in had been split. So I had my husband cut that part off and re-make it into this bench.



Also, out of the deal, I got two, yes, two treadle sewing machines. One was in really bad shape, but my friend Teresa at Plum Water Cottage wound up needing a base. The other one was a more modern type, so I took out the machine, and put in a machine that I had. I gave this to my daughter when she moved out on her own. She actually usues it.

It's A Party!

Donna's in the Attic is having a PARTY! A Twisted Turning Twenty Party! It sounds like so much fun. Go on over to her blog and check out the details!

Look, I've Been Tagged!

Thanks to Amy at Abundant Curiousities, I have been tagged!

Here are the official rules:
Link to the person who tagged you
Mention the rules
Reveal six quirky yet boring, mundane, and pedestrian facts about yourself
Tag six other bloggers by linking to them
Go to each of their blogs and leave a message letting them know they've been tagged!

1. I am NOT a morning person. I could sleep until noon if I could.
2. I love staying home. A good day for me would be staying in my flannel pajama pants and working in my sewing room on a project.
3. I absolutely adore my dogs. All 3 of them (and my foster dog). They are greyhounds, retired racers. These dogs have stolen my heart!
4. I love taking the slow route to work. The "scenic" route along the Ohio River.
5. I have grandcats not grandchildren!
6. This is one of my favorites. My youngest daughter who is 21 years old now. Still comes to me in the morning and kisses me goodbye and I always tell her to be careful. And at night, she still gives me a good night kiss!

Now, here are the 6 who I choose to tag.
1. Karen at Sew Primitive Quilter
2. Kim at Simple Needs
3. Tracey at A Cottage Industry
4. Tails from the DogPatch
5. Dana at Old Red Barn Co.
6. Diane at A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

Saturday

Saturday, and my husband is gone driving the semi truck for the local band. Ahh, the peace and quiet. This is the last competetion of the season. Even though chores have been neglected by these weekend trips of his since beginning of September, I do enjoy the peace and quiet.

What do I get done with all of my "quiet" time. Usually not much. One or both of my daughters usually wind up running errands. Today, I am cleaning out the desk, shredding all that junk mail and statements. Sorting the recycling. Running the vacuum. I got the okay to run the vacuum by the occupational therapist yesterday. Isn't it funny that nobody else around here seems to have noticed the filth on the floor but me?

I did manage to get my collection of bobbins re-arranged on the mantle. I didn't like where I had moved them, so back to the mantle they go. I can never get them back the way I had them. But I think they look pretty good.

I will probably piddle around the house today. I also plan on staying in my flannel pajama pants all day!

My Foster Pup

I just looked back at my posts and realized that I had not told you about my newest foster pup. She came up from Florida on October 2nd. Her name is Smile. She is just a baby, turned 2 in July. I haven't had a dog that age in a while. But, she is learning to love the retired life, you know, soft dog beds, our bed, the couch. She is my shadow, I hope she gets a home real soon!

Trash To Treasure Tuesday

Diane at A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, is doing something really cool. A Trash To Treasure Tuesday.

I have lots of "treasures". Unfortunately, they are still in the planning stages. Maybe I can get it together by next Tuesday and get something done. Go on over and see what she made this week. It is absolutely adorable!

Good bye to a friend

If you follow my blog, you know that I am involved in Greyhound adoption. Our group has been in existence since 2003 and I am the proud owner of the first adoptee of our group. It seems hard to believe that it has been 5 years. We are not a big group, but we do a small part to get these wonderful dogs into homes. A couple of years ago, I finally decided to try and be a foster mom. It is a very rewarding job. It seems most of my fosters have turned out to be long term, which can be very difficult, especially when it is time for them to go to their forever homes.

This special dog, was not my foster, but she had been in foster care for a really long time. Her name was Mama. She was so shy when she arrived. Feared men especially. After a couple of months here, she became a candidate for the prison program. This program pairs inmates up with retired greyhounds. These dogs live with the inmates 24/7 and it is their responsibility to teach them basic obedience and to learn to care for them. They volunteer for this program and by doing so, give up space in their cells or dorms for the dogs. These men love these dogs and it is so rewarding to see the transformation in both dogs and the inmates.

A couple of days ago Mama was diagnosed with osteacarcoma. Bone Cancer. These dogs are in general pretty healthy. But they are prone to bone cancer. The labs came back today and confirmed the diagnosis. Tonight, feeling pretty good as a result of the pain meds, she was running and playing with the other dogs in her foster home. She broke the bone up in her shoulder. This is where the cancer originated. While she was not my personal foster, I am saddened by her loss. God speed Mama! You and my Big Brett run free!

My Turning 20 Quilt

I finally got some pictures of my fabric that I picked out for my Turning 20 Quilt. Here they are. I hope it doesn't turn out too dark. Blacks, and tans. Some of the blacks look like a really dark brown. Some different shades of mustard and rust.



Of all the fabrics, I just love this tan with the black floral and birds. It is kind of toile-ish.


Maybe I can get inspired to piece this one soon.

Saturday Projects

Here it is Saturday again. Where has the week gone? Heck, where has the year gone? November 1, soon Thanksgiving will be here. Next Christmas. I don't even want to think about that. Well, I had planned on spending the day in my sewing room, but that didn't happen. My husband is gone. Driving the semi for the local High School's band. Mind you, our youngest child has been out of high school for 3 years no. Oh well, I enjoy the house to myself. No one asking what you are doing. I did make a trip to the Village Mercantile to find some fabric for a Turning Twenty Quilt. I need a new quilt for the day bed in the spare bedroom. I invision shades of tan, mustard and black. After about an hour, I finally made my decision. I think it will be pretty. Of course, since there is black in it. I'm sure the cats will love to sleep on it. I did get a bracelet made today.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is finally here! I took Tom to the vet this morning and some of the techs were dressed up. Then, to Walgreens to drop something off to my daughter, and the pharmacist had her kids in there dressed up. The little girl was a lady bug and her son was a dinosaur. I miss those days. I still have all my kids costumes. I am saving them for my grandkids some day. Happy Halloween and Best Witches!

My Newest Project

I just started a new project. Recently, I seem to be fascinated with samplers. I found this cute little "Primitive Moon" sampler at one of my favorite haunts, Stitches of the Heart. They have so many patterns, fabrics to stitch on and great hand dyed threads. Of course, I had to stitch it on a little bigger count. Got to go easy on the old eyes!

Ode to a Bug

I have been absent from the world of blog for several days. Since my surgery, my days are occupied with a trip to the doctors office for therapy and exercise at home 2-3 times daily. Let's just say, therapy sucks. But I persist. I know it is the only way to totally recover and get stronger.

Back to the Bug. My youngest daughter had always dreamed of having a VW Bug. A couple of years ago, against my better judgement, she succeeded. A full time college student, the last thing she needed was a car payment. Anyway, you can't tell them anything. Just like us, they have to learn on their own. Last night, she was involved in a car accident. You know the phone call all parents dread. Thank God she was all right. There were 2 other cars involved. After 3 hours in the Emergency Room we got the "all clear" and finally on the way home.

I think some Guardian Angel was watching over my baby. Possibly her grandpa once again. But I must give some credit to good old German engineering.

Feeling Good Friday

I just love this image from an old postcard. My surgery went well. My shoulder has been manipulated and the "frozen shoulder" has been broken up. It also turns out not to have been a torn rotator cuff. But I did wind up having a biceps tenotomy. From what I am reading, they release the biceps tendon to ease the pressure. I really couldn't find out too much. Anyway, I am in so much less pain than before the surgery, it is amazing. I go for therapy today and can take my shower this morning. Yipee! Hope to feel like a new person soon!

My New Blog Header

Thanks so much to my friend Teresa at Plum Water Cottage. She made me a new blog header. I absolutely love it. I am so honored that she took the time to do this for me. Thanks Teresa!

Wish me luck tomorrow. I am having surgery to "free" up my frozen shoulder. I won't know until after surgery is over if they were able to repair the tear in my rotator cuff. If they can't, I may have to go back at a later date for a second surgery.

Monday

I am sitting here in my recliner, trying to make myself get ready for work. But instead, I am listening to the birds chirping and leaves falling from the trees. I wish I could recognize birds by their songs. Off in the distance, there is a woodpecker. Every now and then I hear him drumming against the trunk of a tree. I haven't seen mamma deer and her babies for quite a while now. I guess they will be hiding soon from the hunters. Just makes me want to stay at home all day.

Sunday Chores

Who said Sunday is a day of rest? Obviously no one told my family that. Sunday always means for me, getting ready for the work week. Trying to get laundry done, gather the trash, thinking ahead for meals the next week, etc. Tomorrow is my youngest daughter's birthday, so I made her a giant cupcake. This pan, made by Wilton, makes just the right size cake for our family.

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October is birthday month for us. My sister's birthday is the 16th. My oldest daughter is the 17th and my baby girl is the 13th. Needless to say, by the end of the week, we are sick of cake. I am trying to get a cake baked before Wednesday to put in the fridge for my oldest daughter

I will be having surgery on Wednesday. I am totally dreading that. As most of you know, I have been suffering from frozen shoulder for months now. I finally found a doctor who is going to do something about this. Yeah, manipulation under sedation. Sounds cruel, doesn't it? Not only do I have frozen shoulder, I also have a torn rotator cuff. Depending on how the surgery goes, I may or may not be able to have the rotator cuff tear repaired. So basically, I won't know what is going on until I wake up. Lucky me!

"Grey" Pink Saturday

Thanks to Beverly for hosting yet another PINK Saturday. I have been out of the loop for the past couple of weeks. My contribution for this week is Sadie. She is our foster greyhound, well she was. Last night I signed the adoption papers for this little girl. She has been living with us since January. She has been in several homes and just didn't work out. I don't really understand how anyone could love this little girl and then give her up. She is a special needs pup. Diagnosed with a mitral valve disorder, she will be on heart medication the remainder of her life. So here is Sadie sporting her new pink collar. Welcome Home Sadie!

I got my swap goodies!

Thanks to my swap Kim at Simple Needs for all of my goodies! I love them all!

First, some really cool papers.

A cute dish towel with a pumpkin cookie cutter and a recipe, all in one. These lovely smelling soy tarts from Simple Needs. I absolutely love the way they smell. I have one in my tart burner right now.

This adorable little plaque "Cat-o-lantern". Can't wait to get this displayed with my halloween decorations!

Then, there were all these goodies in a little Harvest Ceramic container. The container, unfortunately, thanks to the USPS, was broken. Bummer.

But, the thing I am most excited about....this absolutely wonderful Witch boot! I know right where I am going to put this. Next to my cross stitch picture with the witches boot in it. I have been searching for the right thing to put next to it and I can't believe it. This is just what I had in mind.

 

Not Just Another Pumpkin

It seems that my package from my swap partner for the Very Vintage Halloween Swap has gone missing in action. Oh well. It will turn up sooner or later. In the mean time, here are some pictures of a pumpkin that I painted for a live auction to help raise money for our group, GPA (Greyhound Pets of America) Tri State. This past weekend was our GreytFest. This is our annual picnic and our biggest fund raiser of the year. My pumpkin brought $60.00 in the auction.