The dialog gets crazier and more confusing all the time. Like most, my info comes from the news channels. Taking the time to double check on accuracy and what is left out can be difficult and very time consuming. If we could all do all the information gathering ourselves we wouldn’t need the media. I am sure that this over dramatizing of the issues was meant to spark debate and hopefully lead to constructive actions. If he is really serious and correct I think we should all go start to compare life insurance premiums so our loved ones don’t bear a great burden.
Blogging about family, books, knitting, crocheting, home and travel. With my husband's retirement we have traded the mountains of Wyoming for the desert and bigger city life in Arizona.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Almost A Neighbor
I did not know this until today but the Designs by Vanessa shop owner and I are nearly neighbors. We both live in the Phoenix metro area. Could it also be a coincidence that we both love birds although I don’t interpret them into art as beautifully as she does. I just adopted one for my mascot so to speak.
Let me show you a couple of my favorite things in her shop right now.
I like the contrast of the dark metal with the delicate pink in these earrings and of course the birdies.
These cute cards come in a set of 3 and are blank so you do your own message for any occasion.
Her blog is well worth following. She makes some fabulous finds and shares them all there. Find the Designs by Vanessa blog right here!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Nice Time
I think the kids had a nice time on a hot Sunday. The water in the river was a very comfortable temperature. All of us waded for awhile. This was at the Salt river where a lot of people go tubing. As we watched the tubers float by we were a bit jealous and decided this is definitely something we want to do. We will have to wait until next year. This was the last weekend of the season.
From here we checked out the Rawhide Wild West Town. Jordan got a lesson in roping a steer. We took a train ride and had a great dinner.
They are on the way home now. The house is quiet.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
See Me If You Must
I try not to get in pictures if I can help it. Every once in awhile some one will get me to stand still for one. In this first picture I put myself in the shot without knowing it until later. If you click on the picture to see it larger you will see me sitting on the curb to take pictures of Hunter's first bike ride.
I think my granddaughter took this picture. She was young and probably didn't really know what she was doing. This is the same child who asked, "Grandma when did you start highlighting your hair?" I had to explain that I didn't do it but rather nature and age had.
One of my favorite vacations was a road trip from Salt Lake City to Calgary in 2003. We drove through Glacier National Park in Montana. Jim took this picture of me during one of many stops for pictures. Since we were both smoking then I will fess up to the cigarette I am holding while I try to convince him the view is better for a picture than I am. I was about 30 pounds thinner then too.
The last picture you are getting of me was taken last year in the saloon on the main street in Prescott, AZ. This is right across the street from the lovely court house. I love that town.
Behind the faces is a woman who likes travel, new restaurants, dogs, books, family, documentary type television, oldies, country and celtic music and keeping my hands busy.
So there you have it folks. This post is part of an EtsyBlogger blog carnival. The topic choices were to show yourself or your studio. My "studio" is in great danger of becoming a piled to the ceiling storage room so you get me. The blog carnival will be hosted on the Memories for Life Blog this coming Monday.
I think my granddaughter took this picture. She was young and probably didn't really know what she was doing. This is the same child who asked, "Grandma when did you start highlighting your hair?" I had to explain that I didn't do it but rather nature and age had.
One of my favorite vacations was a road trip from Salt Lake City to Calgary in 2003. We drove through Glacier National Park in Montana. Jim took this picture of me during one of many stops for pictures. Since we were both smoking then I will fess up to the cigarette I am holding while I try to convince him the view is better for a picture than I am. I was about 30 pounds thinner then too.
The last picture you are getting of me was taken last year in the saloon on the main street in Prescott, AZ. This is right across the street from the lovely court house. I love that town.
Behind the faces is a woman who likes travel, new restaurants, dogs, books, family, documentary type television, oldies, country and celtic music and keeping my hands busy.
So there you have it folks. This post is part of an EtsyBlogger blog carnival. The topic choices were to show yourself or your studio. My "studio" is in great danger of becoming a piled to the ceiling storage room so you get me. The blog carnival will be hosted on the Memories for Life Blog this coming Monday.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Start and Finish
I think everyone needs a special place to start and end their day don't you? No I do not mean in front of the computer either. I mean your bedroom. In mine I go to sleep snuggled under handmade goodness and wake to a sunny room that has a lot of handmade pieces in it. I will show you what I mean.
On my bed is a quilt that we got on a trip to Pennsylvania several years ago. We stayed at a B and B called the Artist's Inn and Gallery which I highly recommend to anyone traveling in the area. Jan sent me to a little out of the way place to start me on my search for a Pennsylvania quilt. When we got to that place and started looking around there were several quilts that I was attracted to. We discovered that the ones I liked were all by the same quilter. Her name was Lucy Hoover which I understand is a very common name in Amish country. Her choice of colors and the high quality of the piecework and hand quilting just blew me away. This quilt had more blue in it than most of the others she had done and I was really impressed by this block. There is quite a bit of skill involved to get all those diamonds and little triangles into a flat block with all the little points showing just like they should.
The pitcher you see was made by the son of someone I worked with at an elementary school. The maker was in a high school pottery class and his mom brought in several of his pieces to show them to all our coworkers. I fell in love with this because of the shape and the colors. She was kind enough to gift it to me. Every place I have lived since I got it I keep this in a spot where I can see it several times a day. I just like looking at it.
This little piece is only a couple inches high. It was made by a potter who had a shop in Old Town San Diego. I don't know if he is still there since I got this in the 1980's. The size of this piece meant that is was something I could afford at the time. Again my favorite color blue is part of what drew me to this as well as the graceful shape.
This painting is my favorite thing in my whole house. It hangs in my bedroom to keep it away from any harsh direct sunlight and because I love having it there. This was done many, many years ago by my great aunt Alicia Haynes also known as Lee. The family stories say she went to New York to study art. I know that in a collection of old postcards my mom has there are some that she sent home from there to her mother in Kansas. Several other members of the family have some charcoal and pen and ink drawings that she did. I think this is the only oil painting that the family has. I have no idea if she sold her work or if it was just a hobby. The flowers are sweet peas which are one of my most loved flowers taking second place to roses. The colors in this look so pretty hanging above the bed over my quilt. The fact the I am related to someone who could do things like this feels special.
So there you have it. The special place where I rest at night and welcome each new day. Do you have such a place? Tell me about it. I would love to hear from you.
On my bed is a quilt that we got on a trip to Pennsylvania several years ago. We stayed at a B and B called the Artist's Inn and Gallery which I highly recommend to anyone traveling in the area. Jan sent me to a little out of the way place to start me on my search for a Pennsylvania quilt. When we got to that place and started looking around there were several quilts that I was attracted to. We discovered that the ones I liked were all by the same quilter. Her name was Lucy Hoover which I understand is a very common name in Amish country. Her choice of colors and the high quality of the piecework and hand quilting just blew me away. This quilt had more blue in it than most of the others she had done and I was really impressed by this block. There is quite a bit of skill involved to get all those diamonds and little triangles into a flat block with all the little points showing just like they should.
The pitcher you see was made by the son of someone I worked with at an elementary school. The maker was in a high school pottery class and his mom brought in several of his pieces to show them to all our coworkers. I fell in love with this because of the shape and the colors. She was kind enough to gift it to me. Every place I have lived since I got it I keep this in a spot where I can see it several times a day. I just like looking at it.
This little piece is only a couple inches high. It was made by a potter who had a shop in Old Town San Diego. I don't know if he is still there since I got this in the 1980's. The size of this piece meant that is was something I could afford at the time. Again my favorite color blue is part of what drew me to this as well as the graceful shape.
This painting is my favorite thing in my whole house. It hangs in my bedroom to keep it away from any harsh direct sunlight and because I love having it there. This was done many, many years ago by my great aunt Alicia Haynes also known as Lee. The family stories say she went to New York to study art. I know that in a collection of old postcards my mom has there are some that she sent home from there to her mother in Kansas. Several other members of the family have some charcoal and pen and ink drawings that she did. I think this is the only oil painting that the family has. I have no idea if she sold her work or if it was just a hobby. The flowers are sweet peas which are one of my most loved flowers taking second place to roses. The colors in this look so pretty hanging above the bed over my quilt. The fact the I am related to someone who could do things like this feels special.So there you have it. The special place where I rest at night and welcome each new day. Do you have such a place? Tell me about it. I would love to hear from you.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival September 14th, Remembering, Good Works and Pride
Welcome to the September 14, 2009 edition of etsybloggers. I asked my fellow bloggers to remember September 11th, consider since then what they do to make the world a better place or tell us what they take personal pride in.
craftsbykatie presents I joined the Etsy Bloggers team posted at Katie McFarland's Pottery and Clay Murals.
Becky presents An Adventurous Spirit posted at The Fab Miss B.
Athena Workman presents September 11 Etsybloggers Blog Carnival: Braggin' posted at the weblog of artist athena workman.
Ricki Chambers presents Blog Carnival - 9/11 Brag brag blah de blah... posted at Plush Robot Art Blog.
Caron Mosey presents What Are We Proud Of? posted at Brookside Creations.
Lily Wrey presents etsyBloggers September 11, 2009 Blog Carnival Be Forewarned .... posted at TuLips Talking.
Linda B presents September 11, 2001 - 8 Years Later - Donations of Sales Proceeds posted at Linda B's Blog.
PatchFirstShop presents To make the world better.. posted at PatchFirstShop.
Sharrie Puckett presents Blog Carnival - Brag on Yourself posted at StorybookStitches.
MagdaleneJewels presents Carnival Blog: A Favorite Indian Recipe posted at MagdaleneJewels's Blogs.
Rose Works Jewelry presents Rose Works Jewelry: Etsy Bloggers Carnival - Talking about OHM posted at Rose Works Jewelry.
Sandy Simpson presents 9/11 posted at Punky Jane.
Mysie presents Blog Carnival 09.11.09 - I am the Cool Aunt posted at Miao Miao by Mysie.
Edi presents Be Proud-Blog Carnival Entry posted at Memories for Life Scrapbooks.
MagdaleneJewels presents Carnival: Remembering September 11 posted at MagdaleneJewels's Blogs.
Tammy presents tamdoll's workspace: Significant Knitting posted at tamdoll's workspace.
Kathy Johnston (Cozy) presents I know it's early posted at A Cozy Life.
HomeMadeOriginals presents Significance posted at Home Made Originals.
TiLTcreations presents Etsybloggers Carnival: 9-11 posted at Crafts, kids, home and life.
thatDESIGNshop presents My first Blog Carnival! posted at That Design Gal.
To all those who participated in this blog carnival, thank you! To all those who read the articles and thought about new ways to make the world a nicer place, way to go! To all those who told us of personal pride producing achievements, thank you for inspiring others!
Now let's go visit our teammates blogs and read this edition of the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival!
Technorati tags: etsybloggers, blog carnival.
Friday, September 11, 2009
I know it's early
I know it is a bit early to think about Christmas for most of us anyway. I have had a few friends that had all their shopping done by Halloween. There is something I want you to consider as the holidays approach this year and this year it could even be more needed with unemployment so high and struggling families.
Jim and I believe that Christmas is for kids. The thought of kids going without a celebration or even a small gift makes us sad. Nearly every year we find a way to help a family or child. One year the bishop of the local ward told us of a family who couldn't get anything for their kids so we donated to that. We have given to kids and families who struggled at the school I used to work at. Jim has participated in a Secret Santa at the hospitals he works at. One year we donated and volunteered time for Toys for Tots with the Marines. We have bought requested presents for kids on the trees you see in stores and malls as well. It just feels good to know that those children who might go without can get something for Christmas.
You know it doesn't really take much to make Christmas and the world a nicer place. Try it and you will feel so good!
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Jim and I believe that Christmas is for kids. The thought of kids going without a celebration or even a small gift makes us sad. Nearly every year we find a way to help a family or child. One year the bishop of the local ward told us of a family who couldn't get anything for their kids so we donated to that. We have given to kids and families who struggled at the school I used to work at. Jim has participated in a Secret Santa at the hospitals he works at. One year we donated and volunteered time for Toys for Tots with the Marines. We have bought requested presents for kids on the trees you see in stores and malls as well. It just feels good to know that those children who might go without can get something for Christmas.
You know it doesn't really take much to make Christmas and the world a nicer place. Try it and you will feel so good!
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