Where's my MoJo?

I need to get crafting!  Seriously, I have not done anything substantial for a long long time, and it's driving me crazy!

My crafting MoJo pretty much went on extended vacation right after Christmas.  I have made and completed small projects, but anything larger has not even been attempted.

Last night at around 9 pm I got the itch to do something!  GO figure!  I couldn't happen at say.... around 6:30 or 7.... No - it has to wait until an hour from getting ready for bedtime before another work day....
Sheesh!

So then when I did get to bed guess what - I couldn't sleep for wracking my brain trying to figure out what I wanted to craft... Double Sheesh!

Usually thinking about projects will put me right to sleep - annoyingly so!  Not last night!  I heard the clock chime 1:30 AM and I was still thinking!  Tripple Sheesh!

What did I come up with?

You will be really surprised -

Last year I had started photographing a series of photos for a Chatty Cathy book I am writing. I think I showed you one that I have done.

 I have a whole bunch of scenes waiting (in my mind) to be created.  One involves, flip-flops, tank tops, bathing suits, an umbrella and water, another involves, pajamas, pretty girls blankets, beds, and frilly accessories... the trouble being, is that all props need to be made, all the outfits need to made times 3 and in some cases, times four.  It's a lot of work for a couple of pictures, but I can't finish the book without the pictures, and I really want to finish the book this year - so  - project # 1 could be this one!

Maybe all I need to do is start - and my MoJo will return.  Could it really be as simple as that?  I somehow doubt it!

It's Here!

Well it finally happened!  Spring arrived in Manitoba this past weekend, and Oh Boy, was it nice!  It's funny how everything and everybody heads outside when the weather turns seasonably warm.

The dog could not be kept indoors, son rode his bike back and forth to work all weekend, hubby worked outside for hours and hours, and I spent time in my gardens - yes working, but it sure felt more like therapy than work.

After the long miserable winter and spring, we have had, it was nice just to sit outside on the dirty front steps and watch the birds and the beautiful black and gold butterflies that were visiting my yard.  It was awesome to sit out there in my work clothes and just BE!

Hard to believe we had this much snow not so very long ago.

The view from my seat on the front steps is not beautiful - well to me it was and is, but just seeing nature coming alive here and there in my tiny garden is a beautiful thing.

 There is already a bit of green showing - my perennial Diannthis are green, and my lambs ears behind them have a bunch of green spouts too.

One little reminder of the winter we had remains on the boulevard in front of my house.  This little pile of snow once was over 7 ft tall.

A month ago ago it looked like this...

Progress at last ...


Finally Gardening Season is here....

An Inspiration indeed!

Our neighbours are a wonderful couple from New Zealand.  They are in their 70's and have sort of adopted us as family.  We are close and we spend a lot of time together.  They have three children, 2 of which live in New Zealand,  1 child lives in Toronto.

Four years ago he was diagnosed with Colon cancer.  He had major surgery which included a permanent colostomy, many rounds of chemo and radiation, and we thought he was cured.  Two years later they discovered tumors on his lungs, so they operated and removed those.  The tumors came back less than a year later, so they operated again followed by more chemo and radiation.  Last year the tumors on his lungs were back yet again, and they deemed our friend incurable.

Miraculously he got better.  He put on weight, started to do things again, started to live his life again.  They went home for a month to New Zealand to visit family and friends.

This past September his elbow started to bother him - they said it was bursitis, and treated it accordingly.  On Palm Sunday he fell outside jarring the elbow and ended up in the hospital.  They x-rayed the arm and found the elbow completely gone - a scan showed bone cancer.

After Easter he began to see double and we noticed that his speech was slurred at times... a scan discovered that he had 3 tumors on his brain.  He was given 3-6 months to live.

We have walked this journey with our good friend, and all along he has stayed positive, happy- never bitter, never angry.  He doesn't talk much about his cancer, he doesn't dwell on it.

Yesterday he had brain surgery.  It was successful in removing the largest of the three tumors, and he did very well.  They now will concentrate on the other two and try and deal with the elbow as well.

This man is an inspiration to me.  The rest of us think we have problems - we whine, we complain, we act as if we are the only ones who are stressed, hurting, or with problems.  How very sad we are.

This man has pretty much had it all - and the nurse in me believes that he is nowhere out of danger even yet.  But when I go up to ICU later today to visit him - I know he will greet me with the brightest, widest smile with genuine joy and delight to see me.  His wife will be right there beside him, and her smile will be just like his, because we a true friends... we have become family.

God Bless you both - Gordon and Elaine!

Leaving No Stone Un-painted!

I am still thinking about that little video I posted a couple of days ago.  It has opened up my mind to some new crafting possibilities, which is quite refreshing, as I have become quite stagnant craft-wise, of late.

Other than the dish cloths and doll shoes I have been making, I have done very little crafting in the month of April - and that bugs me, because I always have something on the go.  It's what I do - it's who I am!

So this little burst of inspiration could not have come at a better time.

How fortunate am I that last fall I decided to store some of my yard decorations in my vinyl patio bench instead of the shed - fortunate because the bench is right outside my back door on the patio, and the shed is still not accessible because of the very deep snow on the path leading to it.

I was looking for a pot to start some annual seeds yesterday, and I came across some Gnome houses I had made a few years ago from rocks.  Well what do you know -I actually have a start on some Fairy Gardens and didn't even know it!

Here is one that sits in my garden every summer.  It is quite faded, but can be repainted - and now WILL be repainted and re purposed  in a Fairy or Gnome garden.











This one has never made it outside.  It sits by the front door on the floor and is used as a door stop from time to time.






I have more in the shed - some smaller, some larger, I even have a barn... most are going to need repainting before I use them... I made all these years ago when I was in my rock painting stage of crafting.

I will need to take a trip out to the farm and visit the huge rock pile in my cousin's pasture where there are perfect smooth rocks just right for making Gnome houses - that will have to wait until summer is really here and calving is over and done with - and wood tick season is past!  As it is the cattle in that pasture don't take kindly to a city-slicker combing their rock piles.  For sure I won't be visiting while babies are being born!

I have all kinds of ideas for my Fairy gardens but I think I will start with a couple of small projects and see how it goes.  For me the challenge will come in finding the plants.  Our location does not lend itself to a lot of variety of plants such as the kind used for these gardens, but there are a few varieties such as Creeping Thyme,  Wall cress, some smaller junipers and mosses, that might work well for this climate.

I can't wait to get started on this great summer project.  No doubt this will turn into another venture of collecting and creating and designing - OH how fun!

Come on Spring!

The wonderful little video about the Fairy Gardens yesterday really put me in the gardening mood.  That mood has been a little late in reaching me - but then so has spring.

But we are finally starting to see some progress with spring.  Remember how the snow completely filled my yard to to top of the fence a month ago?

Well here it is now... This was taken yesterday afternoon.

As you can see there still is a fair amount of snow to melt, and a lot of my perennials are lying under that pile of white stuff.

We have not yet made it out of the 30's (F) but apparently by Friday we are supposed to reach the 60's!  

That will give this last bit of snow the heave-ho, I'm thinking.

In the meantime, my beautiful fur baby has been enjoying the patio a bit more.  She doesn't mind the cool air, and loves to sit out in the sun and sniff the air.  Of course the squirrels are out tempting and teasing her so there is quite a bit of running back and forth and barking as well.  A month from now, she won't even care if a squirrel is nearby - but right now they are fair game!

I have a lot of work to do in my gardens this spring.  I have been developing my perennial gardens for the past 15 years and this is the year that a lot of things are getting torn out and given away or moved to another location.  One of the big moves will be my explorer rose.  Not looking forward to moving that monster, but it has to be done.

Once all the tearing and moving is done, I think I will add some fairy gardens here and there in the already established perennials.  My garden is very visible in this walking neighbourhood.  I often have groups of people leaning over my fence enjoying the plants - imagine how much a fairy garden would add to everyones enjoyment.... especially the aged in wheelchairs from the nursing home across the street - they will love something like that!

So come on Spring - give us some heat so we can get on with our gardening plans...  My gloves are ready, my tools are out and leaning against the fence, all I need to see is a bit more ground, and I'll be good to go.

We can't wait, can we girl?

It's the little things in life that...

I've always been fascinated with little things.  Years ago I got very heavily immersed in creating dolls houses and miniatures and while it was one of the most relaxing hobbies I have ever embarked on, it also was one of the most expensive.  I collected miniatures of every description, and what I could not find to buy - I made.

I loved creating little things for my houses, and there began my love for little things.

I have plastic tubs of little things, some bought and some made by me.  All, left over from the days when I collected and made doll houses.  I sold most of the furniture I had collected, but I kept a lot of the accessories, and I use them from time to time on my crochet bears, or with dolls, or on some of the fairies that I have made.

The weather being so lousy, and spring and gardening looking like it is never going to happen, has given me plenty of opportunity to spend a lot of time on places like Pinterest and You-tube.  Which in itself can be a very dangerous thing for a person such as me.

It was on one of these surfing sessions, that I received a tiny, but very  noticeable pinch while searching for gardening ideas for my very tiny patio area.

You see the real problem with my patio area is not that is is small, although that does cause me some hassles - the problem lies with my beautiful four-legged fur baby, who just can't seem to keep her lips off anything green growing in pots or the wee garden area on the patio.

It's made for a very blah area - so to Pinterest I went to check out some ideas.

That's when I felt the pinch - or was it a bite?  I think it was a pinch - from a fairy - most certainly a fairy; because somehow quite unknown to me I ended up on YouTube watching video on making a fairy garden.

What?  You don't believe in fairies?  Oh come on.....

Then you have to watch this... it's wonderful, and it so made my mind think of spring, and green, and fun, and fantasy.... and yeah.... fairies!  It was just what I needed to get my mind happy, it put a song in the air, a spring in my step and in my heart!  Well... it did!

Do yourself a favour - watch it - you will be awed I guarantee it...  see what it does for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iDzdrgs60xA#!

What's for dinner - Oven Apple Pancake!

I hope you had a much more productive weekend than I did.  As weekends go mine was a no-go.  I have so much I should be trying to do, but my mojo has gone on vacation - extended vacation, it seems!

I am going to blame it on the weather - again.  And again it was a cold weekend.  Saturday was sunny but yesterday the snow returned to ruin the whole day.  The sun didn't come out until the day was almost over.

My mood was much like the weather - gray, dismal, tired, sleepy, so when it came time to make the usual Sunday dinner, well - it was pretty obvious it wasn't going to happen.  I took a long nap in the afternoon and when I woke up it was 4:15 pm  and I still was not inclined to cook a meal.  I guess we all get days like this, and when we do it's nice to have something to make that whips up quickly and makes you feel comforted when you eat it.

I had just the thing....

I might have shared this recipe with you before, not sure - but it is so good, and so easy I thought it was worth a mention again.

It is a Oven Apple Pancake. It is very souffle-type, and very elegant when it is done.

So if you haven't seen it before, here it is again - give it a try - and don't be afraid to make it for guests - it's that good...

Oven Apple Pancake.

1/4 Cup Butter or hard margarine

1/3 Cup brown sugar packed.

Ground Cinnamon (lightly sprinkled)

3 apples peeled and sliced

3 Large eggs

3/4 Cup Milk

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 Cup flour

Melt butter in a 9inch pie plate in the microwave... (I uses a quiche dish for my pancake).
Stir brown sugar into the melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Cover bottom of pie plate with apples sliced and cook in oven for 10 minutes.

Beat eggs, add milk, salt and flour.  Stir to moisten.  Pour over apples and return to oven.   Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Cut and serve.

Serve with syrup (I find you don't even need syrup) and sausages...

I always say I am going to try this with other fruit - but it is such a hit this way, I never do.

Enjoy!

Stash Buster Thursday - Knitted Round Dishcloth!

Last week I promised you the pattern for a knitted round dishcloth for this weeks Stash Buster Thursday.  Even though I have been under the weather this week, I really wanted to get this on here for you.

This is a very pretty dishcloth - I have given it as a gift many times, and it has always been a favorite.  Some people even said it was too pretty to use as a dishcloth, and they wanted it to be a doily... but it really is a dishcloth!  So make a bunch - Mother's Day is coming - great gift idea.  Also take some along as a hostess gifts to those summer BBQ's -  your hostess will be impressed with your generosity!

If you have never knitted something round, you will think this pattern is weird - but believe me, it is very easy and it works out beautifully.  I have included a picture of the results of the first 20 rows so you get an idea what it should look like as you work the pattern.  Repeating the first 20 rows  is what makes the tulip design of the dishcloth and what makes it round.

Happy Knitting!

KNITTED ROUND DISHCLOTH

Materials:

Handicrafter Cotton in colour of your choice
Size 6 or 7 needles (I used 7's)

Cast on 15 stitches.

ROW 1:  Knit 15 stitches.

ROW 2:  K3, yo, knit until 1 stitch remains on the needle, turn.

ROW 3:  Knit back across all stitches.

ROW 4:  K3, yo, knit until 2 stitches remain on the needle, turn.

ROW 5:  Knit back across all stitches.

ROW 6:  K3, yo, knit until 3 stitches remain on the needle, turn.

ROW 7:  Knit back across all stitches.

ROW 8:  Bind off 3 stitches, Knit 2, yo, knit until 4 stitches remain on the needle, turn.

ROW 9:  Knit back across all stitches.

ROW 10: K3, yo, knit until 5 stitches remain on the needle, turn.

ROW 11: Knit back across all stitches.

ROW 12: K3, yo, knit until 6 stitches remain on the needle, turn.

ROW 13: Knit back across all stitches.

ROW 14: Bind off 3 stitches, K2, yo, knit until 7 stitches remain on the needle, turn.

ROW 15: Knit back across all stitches.

ROW 16: K3, yo, knit until 8 stitches remain on the needle, turn.

ROW 17: Knit back across all stitches.

ROW 18: K3, yo, knit until 9 stitches remain on the needle, turn.

ROW 19: Knit back across all stitches.

ROW 20: Bind off 3 stitches.  Knit all the remaining stitches on the needle (including the last 9)

This is what your work should look like after the first 20 rows are done.

Starting with ROW 1 again, repeat the 20 rows, (7 times) to make seven patterns.

Here is five patterns (rows 1-20 five times)!  You can see each completed pattern on this piece.

When you have completed rows 1-20, 7 times, bind off all stitches.  Sew together, making sure you pull the center tight.

Isn't that pretty?

It's all about the Case - again!

Yesterday I re-posted the beginning of my little mini-series about an old trunk I hauled home from our church rummage sale.  Here are the rest of the trunk posts, for those of you who missed it last April...

April 17, 2012
It's all about the case and the travelling Salesman

http://erndalesnmore.blogspot.ca/2012/04/its-call-about-case-and-travelling.html


April 18, 2012
It's all about the case - London England

http://erndalesnmore.blogspot.ca/2012/04/its-all-about-case-london-england.html


April 19, 2012
It's all about the case - and a little geneology too!

http://erndalesnmore.blogspot.ca/2012/04/its-on-about-case-and-little-geneology.html


April 20, 2012
It's all about the case - Welcome to Holland!

http://erndalesnmore.blogspot.ca/2012/04/its-all-about-case-welcome-to-holland.html


That was fun....

The trunk has been repurposed( for now) as a lamp table in my living room.  I still have not lined it with the pretty flowered print - maybe I'll get to do that this summer.  I had intended on using it as a display at a craft sale, but I didn't do any sales last year so guess that's why it never got done.  I am thinking that it would make a wonderful doll wardrobe to store all those extra outfits in for all the dolls I have... it's still work in progress, but very useful as a lamp table for now!

Thanks for coming along on this journey with me again!

My brain is significantly challenged of late - maybe it has spring fever - maybe it has shut down completely because this year it seems as if spring is nowhere to be found.  Maybe my brain is just overloaded with things in life that are getting it down - whatever it is - I find myself totally unable to come up with today's post.

So I went back to last year's post on this day.  I seems this day a year ago I was starting my mini-series on the old travel trunk I lugged home from the church rummage sale.  Do you remember that story?

I had forgotten it myself, so I spent a little time reading my posts of last year.  That old trunk is kinda cool and the journey it took me on (without leaving my house) was cooler yet.

So today I'll take you back a year.  If you have already read this - then you get a day off...

Happy Travelling!

http://erndalesnmore.blogspot.ca/2012/04/its-all-about-case.html

It's Got to be MONDAY!

Happy Monday!  Hope it is a nicer day where you are than where I am.  We are having yet another snow storm, and for April 15th - it is pretty depressing.

As I stepped out the door at 6:30 this morning - this is what greeted me  - funny how the flash makes the snow look like big white blobs.

 And my morning commute looked like this...

Mostly wet on the roads but will all turn to ice if the weather gets colder later today and tonight.

I kind of like this last picture - looks like something artsy -fartsy from a different part of the world - but it's good old River and Osborne this morning@ 6:45.

And here I was worried about what I would blog about today - silly me!

Pucker Up!

We made it to the end of the work week - I think we deserve a treat for all our hard work this week!

And have I got some awesome treats for you!

For some reason I have been fixated with lemons of late.  It started at Easter when my SIL made a delicious Lemon Meringue Pie for dessert.  I only had 1 piece but for some reason it whet my appetite for more Lemon.

On Tuesday one of the doctors I work for took me out for lunch as a thank you for all my hard work.  This lunch was supposed to happen at Christmas time, but we just were never able to schedule it.  Anyway we went to a French Bistro, and I had a lovely Broccoli Quiche - which was so good, but the highlight of the meal was the Lemon Torte we had for dessert.  The crust was made from Almonds, and the filling was definitely not from a box.  It was the most incredible lemon experience of my life - seriously - it was out of this world amazing.

I really hope you like Lemon - cause you are going to get a lot of it in the next few minutes.  Nothing says spring and summer like Lemon - both the color and taste.

So my gift to you for your long week is these incredible recipes.  Of course you have to do the work to enjoy my gift - but I'm sure if you are a lemon lover, you will be more than anxious to try these out...  Try one, or try them all - the choice it yours - so Enjoy!

My thanks to all the wonderful creators of these recipes...

So here we go -


Main Courses:


Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken
http://www.therecipecritic.com/2013/03/slow-cooker-lemon-pepper-chicken.html

Lemon Roasted Potatoes
http://www.kayotic.nl/blog/roasted-lemon-potatoes

Roasted Lemon Garlic Herb Shrimp
http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/roasted-lemon-garlic-herb-shrimp

Lemon Pasta Salad
http://thepajamachef.com/2013/04/03/neelys-lemon-pasta-salad

Lemon Pepper Asparagus
http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/lemon-pepper-asparagus/

Lemon Chicken Spinach Soup
http://www.diettaste.com/soups/lemon-chicken-and-spinach-soup.html

Lemon Pancakes with Lemon Syrup
http://www.jensfavoritecookies.com/2013/03/22/lemon-pancakes-with-lemon-syrup/#.UWbFmaJQFc0



Desserts:

Lemon Supreme Rice Krispie Treats
http://www.sweetasacookie.com/2013/04/lemon-supreme-rice-krispies-treats.html

Lemon Blueberry Bread
http://www.ericasweettooth.com/2012/05/lemon-blueberry-bread.html

Lemon Pudding Poke Cake
http://www.ilovemydisorganizedlife.com/2013/04/lemon-pudding-poke-cake.html

Light as a Cloud Lemon Mousse
http://amusingmamma.blogspot.ca/2013/03/light-as-cloud-lemon-mousse.html


Have a safe and Happy Weekend!

Stash Buster Thursday - Knitted Dishcloth!

One of the best ways to learn new crochet and knit stitches is in making test squares.  I do it all the time when I am learning a stitch - I make a square.  After awhile if you are like me, you tend to end up with totes full of  squares - of course with the intention of someday putting them together for a fabulous sampler afghan - or two - or three ...

Help is on the way!  If you really want to make the afghan - or 2 or 3 - then by all means go ahead and use up your yarn stash in this way.  Personally I favour the idea of making those test squares into something a bit more useful - like for instance - dishcloths!

Can you ever have enough dishcloths?  I don't think so!

So if I see some Handicrafter Cotton on sale in the pound-sized balls I buy a couple.  I love the variegated ones, but for my own kitchen I prefer the white or ivory  because I tend to bleach my dishcloths to death - so no sense waisting all that pretty color.

I'm going to start the dishcloth series with a couple of fairly basic stitches.  Today's will be a knit square using knit and purl stitches only- and creating a cute striped and checked pattern.  If you don't want your dishcloth as large as mine ( 8"x 6.5")  reduce the number of stitches you cast on in  multiples of 2!  This is a perfect beginner dishcloth, and when finished has some nice texture to scrub those dishes clean!

Knitted Dishcloth.

Worsted Weight Cotton
Size 7 (4.5mm) straight needles.

Cast on 42 stitches.

ROW 1 & 2 - Knit

ROW 3 (RS) - K2, *P2, K2; rep from * across

ROW 4  - P2 *K2,P2; rep from * across

ROW 5 & 6 - Knit

ROW 7 - Repeat ROW 4

ROW 8 - Repeat ROW3

Repeat ROWS 1-8  (5) times, and then ROWS 1-6 once more.  Bind off.


Next week I will have a pattern for a very pretty round dishcloth in Knit. 

Happy knitting!

Why Dolls?

Isn't this the neatest picture?  It surfaced on one of my doll groups on Facebook last week and I just had to share it with you.  This is Charlie Chaplin - and his doll.

So many people think that doll collecting is weird.  I've heard us referred to as "strange", "lonely", "deprived as children" etc.  Some say it's downright creepy... and yet there are thousands of us out there... probably millions.

This says it perfectly - taken from curiocabinetspot.com
http://www.curiocabinetspot.com/collections-in-curios-doll-collecting
The history of humanity is full of unique and beautiful works of art. Paintings, sculptures, great works of literature, all of these things show us how we as a species have evolved by showcasing the gradual progression and shifting of styles in these various works. Dolls are one of these art styles that have existed for as long as we have. Dolls have been in existence from the time of the very first humans and are likely to continue to be created for years to come; and for nearly as long as they have existed, people have loved to own, create, and collect these works of art.

The varieties of dolls that exist are many and the people who collect them can are as varied as the collections themselves.

How is it creepy?  They are pretty (mostly) childhood toys - what's so creepy about that?  We are not talking about gross things like stuffed dead insects, we are talking about pretty dolls dressed in pretty clothing of their era.

Charlie Chaplin was obviously enamoured with his doll, as have many celebrities been over the years.

Many people, male and female collect dolls; people from all walks of life.

Here are a few you might recognize.

Actress Demi Moore - has a massive doll collection.  She has over 3000 contemporary art dolls and thousands of Barbies and GI Joes.

Novelist Anne Rice collects dolls...

John Wayne collected Hopi Indian Kachina dolls... his large collection of dolls are now in a museum.

Britney Spears has a large porcelain and antique doll collection.

Annette Funicello collected dolls - and she also had a doll made in her likeness in the 1960's... strangely enough I was researching this very collector on Monday  - the day she passed away.

Well call me creepy - I love dolls.  They are happy and pleasant to look at  - and NO their eyes do not follow me around the house...

It's a hobby - a darn fun one, too... and at some point, I'm hoping it might be a great retirement business - if I can actually part with them - that is!

The Power of Love!

Every so often, if we are lucky, we are blessed to witness the true power of what Love can do.

I had one of these moments last week.

Friends of ours - a couple who have been married for 30 some years have recently been going through a very rough spot in life.  They have weathered many rough spots before, but this has been extremely difficult for them both.

Last year, they decided move back to Manitoba, and so they started the ball in motion that would get them here.  Their plan was solid, they took all the right steps to make the move from one province to another and almost right from the beginning - nothing went right.

They have no children - so it's been just the two of them all their years together.  So they put their home up for sale and bought a different home in their new location.  She moved to the new home in November, started a new job and he planned on joining her once their home sold.  It should have been straight forward - but it wasn't.

She got sick as soon as they moved into the new house.  Seriously ill - cancer.  She had started her new job, but had to quit to start cancer treatments right away.  He had to return to sell their home and work his job, until the house sold.

Every prospective buyer fell through.  Christmas came and went, he came for a weeks visit, but had to go back again.  She was slated for major surgery in February, and he was able to get a month's leave to be with her through the surgery.  But again he had to go back - their property still was not sold, and he still had his job.

They both struggled, but I only saw her in the months through this ordeal.  She was fearful of the future, she struggled to understand the whys of their situation.  She mourned the property they were selling and she began to resent the new home that they had planned to spend their future years in.  She missed him terribly, and he her.

Their property finally sold - 5 months after this journey had begun. Finally their stars seem to be in the right place at the right time.

She continues treatment, and he was back for Easter last week.  In three weeks he will be here permanently.

We spent some time with them last week, it being the first time I had seen them together in quite awhile.
I was amazed at the difference in my friend.  Her eyes shone, her smile was radiant, and she was so happy... and it was because he was there.

If there was ever two people who need to be together - it's these two.  I watched them as we visited.  When she talked, he listened and smiled.  When he talked she listened, and smiled.  Their joy at being together was so obvious and so refreshing, it made me smile.

The power of her love for her spouse, and his for her,  has brought my friend back.  Yes she still has a steep hill to climb - but climb it she will... and so will he, right beside her every step of the way.

That's the true power of Love...


And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

I'm Back!

How is it possible that a weeks vacation can fly by so quickly when a work week does not?  I am feeling very out-of-sorts having to get up early this morning and get ready for work all the while my mind is on something else I'd much rather be doing at home.

So please allow me my small pity party for one - just for today!

What did I do on my week off?

The week off started with an awesome Easter dinner with my brother and his family.  Thank you Dean, Wendy and Leigh for the wonderful meal and a great evening.

Then it was me time.

 I read three books from my collection of my favorite author, Lavyrle Spencer.  She no longer writes, but I have all her books and it has been years since I sat and read any of her stories.  Total enjoyment was mine as I read "The Gamble" and "Vows" and my forever favorite "Years".  I have read "Years" so many times, and it still is my favorite book of all.

I did some crocheting (shoes for Cathy). Which I then starched with Stiffy and embellished with sequins, beads, bows etc.  They turned out adorable but I have yet to take pictures  - I'll try and get that done this week.

I tried sewing a dress for one of my Cathy's - but the bodice ended up being too small.  I didn't have any spare material so I chucked it in the trash and am now waiting for some Divine inspiration to make use of the skirt part of the dress.  Hummm....

I had a nap almost every afternoon at 2...

 I had a wonderful visit with some friends...

And I inherited a glass fronted bookcase for my dolls, which I intend to completely revamp, but for now I cleaned it up and filled it up in my now very crowded work room.

I did manage to finish one outfit.  This is one I have been knitting for awhile.  This doll is one of my own childhood dolls, and I wanted to dress her in something that would fit her age - since she is a early 1960's gal, I thought I would dress her as a Mom of that era - I think she turned out perfectly... she looks like a 1960's Mom ready for church...  what do you think?

She looked so lovely standing in my dining area, but she since has been moved to the cabinet in my work room.

And that was pretty much my week...