A Reminder...

{my daughter running the 1500 meter race at the KU track meet in January}

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."  Hebrews 12:1



Seeing Green

(another postcard from my collection)

Well, St. Patrick's Day is upon us.  I can't believe how fast this year is going already.  I remember as a kid suffering through the agonizingly long school year and how time just seemed to creep by.  It really seems like I just had my Christmas decorations out.  I guess I'm starting to get old.  Last night I took my 10 year old out to dinner and to the Clinique counter for a makeover.  It was bonus time and I'd made a little bribe deal with her a while back and needed to make good on it.  Nothing will make you feel older than looking at your aging self in the mirror under the lights at the Clinique counter.  I honestly wanted to cry looking at my patchy skin staring back at me.  We really had a fun time though.  Especially when I dropped the bottle of Happy perfume.  And it broke.  All over the floor.  Not so Happy anymore.  It was good for laugh anyway.  I did really feel bad about it too, until it was time to pay and I handed over my $50 to pay for the makeup I had to buy out of guilt for the free makeover for my daughter.  In case you were starting to wonder if I'm buying my 10 year old Clinique...I am not.  It was all for me sista.  However, I did succumb to more guilt about keeping it all to myself and let her have the little mascara that came with the my bonus. 

Have a fun St. Patty's day!

Happy Accident

Last weekend we took a walk to our old barn down the road.  I set my camera to what I thought was black and white.  It turned out to be sepia.  I like how the photos turned out.  We walked on home and by the calves near the house.  I started snapping photos and forgot I had my camera on a different setting.

With the time of day and the angle of the light, I think they turned out much better in sepia than than they would have in color.  I think I may have accidentally learned something.

Most of my subjects where black and white to begin with, so they wouldn't have been very interesting in color anyway.

I love it when things turn out for the better without even trying.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm substitute teaching for high school today.  {I can't recall if I told you I'd started subbing.}  It's been going really well.  I've subbed for kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, band, music and high school so far.  Usually just for one or two days a week.  I really enjoy it.  The most interesting day was for high school ag shop.  First hour was welding, I kid you not.  The lesson plans said to have the kids cut metal pieces out of a bin into smaller, skill weld size pieces.  It might as well have been written in a foreign language.  I became concerned when the kids started putting on these giant helmets and masks and heavy looking coats.  When they lit up the blow torches, I quickly sent my husband a text and asked if a blow torch was really necessary.  Apparently it was.



St. Patrick's Day Fun

(bakerella.com via pinterest.com) 

Today I've got Bible study and trip to the grocery store.  I've got lots to buy as it is my monthly "stock up" trip.  I've got a few extra things on my list, thanks to Pinterest.

I love looking on Pinterest for food ideas for holidays.  St. Patrick's Day is no different.  I think I'll make the green treats above, only try cake balls instead of the truffle recipe that was provided.  Do you know I've never made cake balls?!  I bought some green candy melts and some white almond bark.  I think the girls could have fun making them.

(chickabug.com via pinterest.com)

I am going to make green pancakes like the above for breakfast.  I am also going to make cupcakes.  Although, I may try white cupcakes so as not to over do it on the green dye :)  Did I tell you I finally broke down and purchased some cake decorating tips?  I am excited to try them, although a tad nervous that my cupcakes will look um...not like the picture.  I don't think the family will mind if I practice on them.  For dinner I'm planning on making smokey cheese & potato soup I found in Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  They made toast croutons from a shamrock cookie cutter and spread them with pesto and floated them atop the soup.  Very pretty.  I guess I kind of get into holiday themed foods. 

I just like to take every opportunity to celebrate! 

Chicken Post

I went out and fed my ladies some old bread the other day and I thought to take my camera.  I wish I could video the feeding frenzy that happens with old bread.

They are not patient animals when treats are involved.



Penelope is the last of our original 3 chickens.  She is one of the least patient. 



Apparently I wasn't quick enough for her this time.  She flew up and took hold of the bag several times.  I love these birds!  They are one of my simple pleasures.  It is "Chick Days" at many farm and home stores.  If you've been thinking about getting into chickens...go take a peek.  Now is the time!



Show and Tell

I had several people interested in seeing the progress on my quilt.  So, here are some photos of my first 4 blocks.  These first two photos are of the same block.  I learned you use half squares (the two triangles sewn together) to make different looks.  I think I like this pinwheel arrangement best.  Obviously, I still need to sew them together and try to ignore how wrinkled they are!

This is the other block we worked on Thursday.  I think it's called a star.  The pieces with four triangles were the most difficult things we've done so far.  I didn't find them very enjoyable.  I think with practice I could feel more at ease with them, but they have to be too perfectly matched for my tastes.  I do like the way it all comes together in the end though.

This was the first block we made.  We learned the basics of squaring our strips and sewing them together.  Quilting uses 1/4" seams rather than the traditional 5/8".  

This was our 2nd block.  I really like this one too.   The 12 four patches I told you about last time will not be for a block, but will go at the corners of the blocks as a part of the border.  I am getting excited to start piecing them together.  It will still be a while though.  We only have class once/month, so it won't be finished until October.  In the mean time I think I will have to make something on my own using what I've learned or I will forget it.  Plus, I'm itching to have a completed project in fabric I adore.  Next month is machine applique.  I am so excited to learn how to applique.  

It's too nice today to just quilt though.  So, I'm going to have to find something to do outside.  Have a great weekend!



Fun Day

Today it's off to deliver eggs to friends and then off to quilt class.  We've been working on a different block each month.  Last month was a fence rail...not sure what this month's will be.  We worked on making 12 four patches and we'll see today what we do with them.  We will have a sampler quilt when we're finished.  Each block is different.  We didn't get to pick our fabric or our colors, so what you see is what you get.  It is such a fun process and I'm excited to make something pretty for the house with what I'm learning.  I hope you all have a blessed day!