Miscellany 2.0

Random thoughts in my head right this second.

1)  It is so humid in my house right now that the mud room floor is damp.  Yuck.

2)  My favoritest college team plays in the SEC Championship football game tomorrow.  Go Mizzou!

3)  I'm keeping the pitcher.  But am reconsidering the ironing board.  After all, no one will love it like I would.

4) This week I found a PostIt brand graph paper pad and I love it.  I sketch quilt designs and quilt block patterns on graph paper often and the small pad is such a neat little size AND it has the Post It sticky-back-thingy that I love.  Win!

5)  I'm saddened by the loss of Nelson Mandela.  I was reading about him this morning and came across this list of some of his best quotes.  I love them all but especially like, "It always seems impossible until it's done."

6)  I still haven't made a Christmas tree skirt.  Or stockings.  And I'm fine with that.

-dana

Guess which I'm keeping

I visit our local thrift shops fairly often.  And lots of cute stuff finds it's way home with me.  Like the tin child's ironing board. Do I need it?  No. But I have this compulsion to buy things that I know nobody will love like I do.  

Tell me you do that too?

Rescue things from the thrift shop that you know need saving?

Just this week I slammed on my brakes (don't worry.  it was on a back country road) just as I passed the metal salvage yard because I saw the most adorable vintage 1950's kitchen stove.  And it desperately needed rescuing. Upon inquiry I discovered it was already set aside for some other fortunate soul.  The fact that the special-ness of the stove was recognized and saved for someone that would appreciate it gave me just about as much peace as if I'd taken it home myself.  Almost.

Anyway.

The vintage toy ironing board and fruit printed glass pitcher recently came home with me.  But I'm not keeping them both. Which do you think I'm keeping?

-dana

Coupon Code for Shop

From now through December 31, 2013, please use voucher code XMAS at checkout for 20% off your order total at Old Red Barn Co.  The code is reusable too!

Happy Holidays!

-dana

Cirlce 7

For the past eight months I have been a lucky member of an online quilting bee called Circle 7.  There are seven of us each adding to the others' quilts.  This one belongs to Susannah Kate and my contributions are circled below.  Since I was the last one to work on this quilt before Susannah Kate gets it back, I wanted to make it large enough to be a usable size if she opts to leave it as is.  

The women in this bee have poured their hearts into each quilt and I feel so fortunate to have been a part of it all.  

I. Can. NOT. Wait. To. Get. MY. QUILT. BACK!

-dana

   

This girl is 12

This girl.  Today she is 12.

She has a way about her.  A way of including everyone.  A way of making me laugh with only the slightest of sideways glance.  A curiosity of the world and compassion for things bigger than big and smaller than small.  A way of letting things roll of her back.  But the ability to communicate clearly and effectively when something does bother her.

She cracks me up and knows it.  Just yesterday we were walking the dogs down the street and she was lagging behind.  I turned to say some brilliant mom thing like, "Hurry up! I haven't got all day"  only to find her dancing an exaggerated jig.  My brilliance evaporated and I was left with a deep belly laugh and so much love I busted a move right there with her.

Lately her and I have been playing a condensed soccer-like game in the afternoons.  Usually while just her and I are home. And we laugh.  And laugh.  And laugh.  

Just being with her makes me feel sparkly.  Not because she casts glitter around.  It's just her way.

Happy Birthday Licious.
I love you to the moon and back.

-Mom

Miscellany

Random thoughts going through my head today:

1)  I'm working on a project for a magazine with the above color range.  The completed project is due at the publisher on Friday and I just received the fabric today.  I better stop typing and start sewing.

2)  That last sentence is the understatement of the day.  Week.  Month.

3)  I'm unconvinced by the whole belted shirt look.

4)  What's the best way to save and store digital images?  External hard drive?  If so, any recommendations?

5)  My youngest has a birthday this week.  She had five friends here for a sleepover on Saturday.  S'mores over a campfire were involved.

6)  One can never go wrong with s'mores.

7)  I'd like to turn the above pile into Christmasy things.  Specifically a quilted Christmas tree skirt, hand towels for gifting and a few hot pad/trivet/thingies.

8)  A quilted tree skirt has been on my to-do list for at least three years.  

9)  As are some matching stockings.

10)  How many days do I have until Christmas?

11)  Wait.  Don't answer number 10.

-dana

Running man

Over the weekend my husband, Razor, ran a marathon.  26.2 miles.  ::gulp::  My Achilles tendons hurt just saying the words.

There were 18,500 runners combined for the marathon and half marathon and my husband rocked it.  Like . . . rocked it out of the park!  

Razor, I'm so immensely proud of you.  First, of course, for running a marathon.  Duh.  But for setting an example for our children of determination, persistence, humility and strength.  For training for a marathon but never making your family feel like it was a priority over us.  For following your passions to the fullest.  I've never loved you more than right this second.  And can say that again tomorrow and the next day.  And the next.  Infinity.

-dana