Dear Santa...

 Please define "good".  All year long good is what I thought I was being...doing...achieving...hmmm...
I have checked my lists, mailed my cards and worked ahead so Mr. C and I could take one week before Christmas as a well earned vacation.  Go someplace we had never gone.  Some place warm...

 Here we are.  Warm, tropical and a place to relax and let the year's pressures and exhaustion fade away.  A place to renew our spirits and strength...

 Lush tropical destination.  Oh yes!  Here we are in Maui.  We arrived in a rain storm with wind that never let up the entire week.  The rain did give way to sunshine.  Everyone said just take shorts and flip-flops.  Glad I packed for the North Pole as I was cold at all times.  Please turn off the wind machine. 

 Day two of our eight day tropical paradise vacation.  We had been told we would find our very own "special" place together.  Little did I dream it would be the Maui Urgent Care center.  Mr. C getting a breathing treatment.  He doesn't have Asthma but he does get Asthmatic Bronchitis and it is miserable.  We have been through this many times over our years together. 

Now we visit the local pharmacy to retrieve three prescriptions for Mr. C.  Did I mention it is the week before Christmas?  Even the pharmacy is in the spirit.  We certainly helped the local economy with our visits. 

One day later here I am on vacation in Maui.  I would end up at Urgent Care two more times for me.  Also visited the local pharmacy twice more for a total of 9 prescriptions.  Upper respiratory with ear and sinus infections.  Bronchitis that racks the body and leaves you gasping for a breath...any breath so you can continue to cough.  This is how my week in Maui continued.  Flying home was long and painful.  The doctor said, "No swimming"...good as I don't do water.  He also said, "No wind"...bad as it was some freak weather storm all week long with miserable wind everywhere.  Going outside was not good for me.  But to go to Maui and stay in bed was not the vacation I had envisioned!

We arrived in Maui with rain and then from our balcony we saw this rainbow which was beautiful.  I did enjoy watching the world pass along.  I did see at least a partial rainbow every afternoon. 

So Santa...please define, "good".   I need to do a better job beginning NOW! 
Who would have thought chocolate brown would look so elegant on a Christmas tree.  In person this was stunning.  Just green, gold and chocolate brown.  Delicious!  Merry Maui Christmas!!!
Mr. C and I are home.  We are both recuperating.  We are opening our mail and enjoying cards and letters from so many friends and family.  May you each have a wonderful holiday weekend...
Presents to wrap...friends to get together with...daily chores...oh yeah!  I am thankful to be on the road to recovery. 
Please take time to sip some tea, enjoy what you are doing and most of all stay healthy...

Sunshine-Splitting-Stacking...

With the winter weather comes disaster when you live in the forest. This happened a couple of months ago during the night and thankfully just missed our house. Half split and impaled the lawn which damaged the drip irrigation Mr. C installed. The other half crashed across our steep driveway and of course was covered in snow. That was then...

This is now...

Mr. C and I borrowed a log splitter and spent hours splitting the huge rounds that were cut into 16" lengths. They were too heavy to get up the driveway so we had to dangerously split on the downhill. This photo is very deceiving as this is pretty steep.

I am so not a fan of doing this type of physical work. And Mr. C and I are truthfully too old to be doing this type of work. However, we have to do it to have wood for the fireplace come winter again.

This one truck load took us the better part of the day. And...we are only 1/3 done splitting.

Hmmm...now how is this wood going to get out of the truck and stacked into the wood chateau?

Oh yeah...Mr. C and I! We spent the next morning unloading the truck and stacking the wood neatly into it's home awaiting next winter.

And...we are only 1/3 done! Joyous!

Me...I don't even care for a wood burning fireplace. It is very messy and can be very dangerous. My mother always taught me..."Fire can be a wonderful servant but a terrible master." I am and always have been very much afraid of fire.

Mr. C however loves the real wood fireplaces and has two of them. He carries that messy wood all through the house, splinters and spiders included.

Maybe our next house will have one of those new-fangled remote controlled electric fireplaces. Lots of ambiance but no real wood smell or warmth like the real thing.

So while the sun is shining and the weather here has finally become glorious you will find me outside splitting and stacking wood.

I am managing to sneak in a little creating in the studio for a future post or two.

Wonderful weekend to all...

Do It NOW in Review...

This lovely photo has nothing to do with my post. I merely took this of the back part of my yard after winter's fury. Lots of work has been done to clean up yet there is a lot more work to be done. This is June and we are still having extreme cold temps, rain, hail and WINTER. Enough I say. Bring on the sunshine please.
As for my word of 2011 I chose NOW. In keeping with my review of how I am doing with NOW hmmm...Let me just say I don't do well without sunshine. I would just as soon stay in bed and pull the covers over my head which isn't conducive to getting things done.
While I was reading through my latest Costco magazine I see the title, Do It Now written by Wally Amos of the former Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie empire. This short article was actually sad however it definitely reminded me of my action word for 2011...NOW.
Wally poses the question, "How often during the course of the day do you put off doing things...calling old friends, apologizing for errors made in judgement, following up on an idea?" Bingo! Following up on an idea? Oh that is me. I put off so many ideas that they get lost or forgotten. What a shame I lose my ideas just because I don't act on them NOW. We have all heard the tired old line, Never put off till later what you can do now. Do it now or it might be too late. You can never turn back the hands of time.
So in review, I am going to really focus (my word of 2010) and try to do things NOW more often. Maybe I will be more inspired by not putting things and ideas and techniques to try off until I never get to them.
As for me I am doing something NOW in order to feel more healthy and fit. Every week I make time for me. I go to Weight Watchers faithfully (this way I feel better about the poor food choices I make far too often). I also set aside time for me as I have been doing Zumba for a couple of months now. Me? Exercise? Do something physical? Not me! Ahh but Zumba is not exercise...it is dancing and moving around to fabulous music. It is so much fun. I have truly found a form of physical activity that I am enjoying and it is helping me feel very healthy and smart about my life.
Wonderful Weekend to all. May you each spend some time on yourself and may you enjoy something special just because...
Me...I will be acting on the here and NOW and I will be keeping happy healthy thoughts.

April, Spring and Easter...

We are well into April and I am amazed at how quickly this year is passing. Happy Birthday to my sister Joyce today. And Happy Birthday to my friend Lisa tomorrow. April holds many birthdays for us to celebrate. How fortunate to be born in Spring. The surprise of new leaves and buds and blossoms all sprouting the excitement of fresh new life.

April this year is also the celebration of Easter. Very late in the month this year however all the same it holds lots of fun, parties, cupcakes, eggs and chocolate deliciousness.

These images are of some fabric postcards I made. I love to send these in the mail. The little bunnies having tea or picnicing or cooking were cut from some vintage fabric I had. They are so adorable. I do not remember who made the fabric so I apologize for not giving credit. I really enjoyed using this varigated thread to satin stitch around the edges. I honestly think satin stitching is a boon to thread sales.

May you have a wonderful and sunny week ahead.

Are you working on something special for Easter?

Spring and Quilting...

Here we are April 1st and our weather has given us a glorious Spring day. The sun is shining and the frogs are croaking their mating songs. The Robins are searching the grounds for just the perfect things. I have spent the better part of the day working in the yard. I decided to put my blinders on as we still have some snow on the ground in the yard and also so I wouldn't get overwhelmed with the massive job to do just cleaning up the debris from such a harsh winter. I chose a small walkway near the pond and merely worked in a small circle hand raking and picking up pine needles, oak leaves, old acorns and heavy wet soggy mushy plant stems. After a few hours I had finished with my little piece of heaven walkway. I have daffodils blooming and there are even hopeful tiny new green sprouts on a very dead looking geranium I didn't think would survive the winter. Life is good. Now for quilting...my small little patches of cleanup work remind me of how quilting goes. In small little patches of fabric that eventually become the finished piece to be proud of. The photo above is a small piece of Cathedral Quilting I did all by hand about 4 decades ago. It was tedius and took forever because I wanted my stitches to be as tiny as possible. Now all these years later it is still perfect...in my eyes. Oh yes, I can see flaws however these only make it more cherished to me. Now days I don't quilt however I know that someday I shall...when I am ready. As I follow blogs and find things that really speak to me I was super fortunate to find Terri Stegmiller. I know many of you already know Terri but for those who don't here is her link. Terri is also part of 3 Creative Studios and you will find lots of inspiration there. From Terri's blog one day I visited the Twelve By Twelve blog. I was intrigued by the quilts that various artists were creating. They were each only 12 inches by 12 inches. Hmmm...now that seems much more doable than some huge king-sized piece that is montrous to work with. I digress but back in the 70's Dear Grandma and I each made king-sized crazy quilts out of small pieces of double knit fabrics. What were we thinking?!! And I don't even still have that monster...me who never gets rid of anything! I do hope you visit both Terri and the 12x12 just to see all the amazing art that is created. Twelve By Twelve had a lovely coming out party online for their book they published and I was super fortunate to be selected one of the lucky recipients of a copy. The book is published by Lark Crafts and Terri actually signed my copy that she sent to me. Thank you very much Terri. This photo above is the front of the book cover. This photo is the back cover. I have perused this book from front to back and it is so beautifully done. Each of the twelve artists who participated and created twelve quilts in the 12x12 inch size are featured. How fun and challenging that each quilt had a theme and it is amazing to see how each artist represented it in their quilt. I will definitely be devouring this book for a very long time. Each time I look I see something new and different. Who knows...maybe this is the catalyst for me to make a tiny little 12x12 inch quilt of my very own to be proud of for decades to come. How are you enjoying your weekend? Maybe a little outdoors and a little indoors creativity? This sunshine is definitely re-energizing me after all the gray, cold, wet and snowy days we have had. What?!! Rain is predicted for Saturday???

Heartfelt Thanks...

My most heartfelt thanks to Marilyn. I got the best surprise in my mail this past weekend and I want to share it. Marilyn is the nicest lady and a very talented artist. She is also a new grandma and that alone is part of her bright smile. Please check out "In My Room" where Marilyn blogs. What she sent me was this envelope above that had the most intriguing velvety textured tape across the back flap. You can be certain this tape will get reused. Inside was this beautiful little thank you card. The photo just does not do justice to the colors or the pink rhinestones bling.

Upon opening the thank you card it became a folder containing two ATCs. The clown and the chef. Each are beyond fabulous and I just adore them. The backs are black and Marilyn wrote on them to personalize to me from her. I so admire the work and time Marilyn put into making this wonderful surprise that I am almost speechless. (I must say almost because anyone who knows me knows I am never without words for talking!) Marilyn thank you so very much from my heart. Your art inspires me. I am so thankful I found your blog and share you as my friend.

I hope you know that I will be making some of these wonderful little folders and ATCs for my girls for Valentine's Day. Of course I shall tweak them as not to copy completely. :o)

I just feel like such a lucky girl. Being a part of this generous blogging community and sharing talents and ideas and surprise gifts.

As for this week, our weather is absolutely frigid. I was grocery shopping this morning and most people were talking about how cold it is and when will it end. I heard one woman remark, "This is like living in a refrigerator!" Our high today was 37 degrees F. And this was the day Mr. C decided we would be outside several hours while he cleaned the debris from the roof and the gutters. I merely hand him supplies and pick up whatever tools he drops. I am inside now and still shivering. Hot shower, hot soup, chocolate...still cold! Maybe I should sit on the heating pad and hold the cat on my lap for a while. Hmmm...I can see why she insists on having her little blanket plugged in and turned on. Ahhh...warmth! Oh how I long for the sunshine and summertime. Maybe I should go make something bright yellow in honor of the sun.

Happy creating...

Wonderful Weekend...

No pictures today as Mr. Hubby is using the notebook computer which has photos on it.
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and some relaxation time. I spent time with friends and my sister and we celebrated her recent birthday. Did some shopping and had a yummy lunch at Buca de Beppos. If you have never eaten at Buca de Beppos it is quite the experience. Italian food, lots of pictures on the walls, candles and cake for the birthday girl. More shopping and a drive up the hill to arrive home.
Today I must be productive. Hmmm...
The sun is shining and the birds are singing. It is a very good day.

http://createology.etsy.com

Happy Wednesday to each of you.

Our weather is sunshine today and the snow is melting from the trees and railings of the decks. We are shoveling lots of snow from our very big and steep driveway. Time to be able to get the cars moved around to their proper garages so hubby can work on them properly.

I have posted a new item on etsy and this is a picture of it. A very fun paper apron. My wonderful and beloved Grandma taught me how to make these many years ago while she was alive. When Somerset Studios magazine announced a "challenge" for their newest publication apron*ology we couldn't resist submitting an apron to them. Unfortunately we Saucy Chicks did not get selected, however we are still hopeful as we have not received our apron back as of yet. In purchasing their first edition of apron*ology and reading it through we Saucy Chicks are somewhat surprised that they didn't select our paper apron. What are they thinking?!?! Maybe the next edition will feature us and our accomplishment. We have actually submitted many items to Somerset Studios and their numerous pulications and we feel very confident that our turn is coming. We know we are worthy!

I am checking my list of to do's and trying to complete some of them today. Listing a new item on etsy and posting a new blog today is definitely a completion of two items on the list.

Smile and Sunshine...

"One little smile can fill the room with sunshine" is a little saying off the inside of Dove Promises candy wrappers. What a nice treat...a delicious bit of chocolate and an uplifting thought. I agree that a smile brings sunshine not just to a room but also to other people. I always try to smile at others just in case it helps them feel better or gives them a reason to smile back. Actually a smile is the easiest thing to give. It costs no money, takes no tools, has no obligations and is something that benefits the giver as well as the receiver. In fact, you can be the recipient of your own smile...just look in the mirror or a piece of reflective glass and smile.
Funny how when you commit to write a blog how quickly the days pass by and you realize that you really should write something but you have no idea what would be good to have anyone read. Well, I just sit down and whatever comes to my mind or something I see around me is usually what I end up putting through my fingers to the keyboard. I think that is a lot of what makes blog reading so interesting and different. I read lots of blogs from others and the more diverse they are the more interesting I find them. Of course that is a personal preference.
Nothing clever or creative today. I spent time in the kitchen not only cleaning it but baking a chocolate cake for my beloved husband. He actually requested a chocolate cake around the Christmas holiday but we just had enough other things to keep us satiated. Well, today is the day for him to enjoy his chocolate cake. He has been working very hard and has gotten a rotten cold and achey bones so I thought this would help him get well. It is a double layer triple chocolate cake with dark chocolate and chocolate fudge frosting and in the center between the layers are Ghiradelli chocolate chips. I probably won't sleep for a week just from licking all the bowls, spatulas and beaters. It is definitely a chocolate lovers dessert. "Let them eat cake!"
I just reviewed what I have written and realized I began and ended today's blog with chocolate.
Here is a smile for everyone :-)