Feeling Under the Weather...

I was feeling less than well all last week.  I just figured I had the flu and would feel better in a short while.
This gray yarn and these wonky stitches look just like I feel.  Normally I wouldn't share this on my blog however I feel it is important for others...just in case.
This photo is of a scarf I was crocheting.  I had it out the other day to see if I wanted to complete it.  No.  I wanted to pull it all out and begin anew.  It is just too drab and dreary.  It has no pizzazz.  This is just how I am feeling.  Last week when I got so sick Mr. C wanted to take me to ER and I refused.  I had him Google gallbladder and appendicitis and when both told of symptoms of sharp pain on the right side I was relieved as my pain was on the left side.  On the eighth day I was out of options and in such pain I had to call my doctor's office.  They told me to go straight to ER for tests they wouldn't be able to do in their office.  Mr. C drove me to ER and stayed with me.  I was there about 6 hours.  Actually no waiting time and all of the doctors and nurses were very kind and attentive.
Turns out to be a kidney stone that is 4+mm in size.  I didn't even realize women got such things.  Somehow I only thought men got them.  So now I am home and awaiting the birth of my stone.  If only it would be a rare and beautiful pearl.  No further details from me.
I haven't been creative.  I haven't been able to read blogs or emails.  I haven't sewn or glued or glittered  anything.  I am drowning in a lake of water having to drink 10 glasses per day.  Sitting is the worst but I am not to stay in bed.  I did some house chores this morning but that was not a good idea.  We had snow last Thursday and Friday.  Today was sunny and nice but I was indoors and missed it.  
So for now I shall merely be content in knowing what my pain and illness really is.
I miss each of your blogs and happy creative spirits.
My mantra for now..."This too shall pass"

Himalayan Blue Poppies...

 One of the blogs I follow is Wildflowerhouse by Sharon.  She paints the most beautiful watercolor flowers.  One day I was exclaiming about her blue poppy watercolors.  She kindly emailed me the information about the inspiration flowers she grows.  So I went on a quest for Himalayan Blue Poppy plants.  No nursery here in my area sells such a species.  So to the internet I went.  Hmmm...seeds for sale...

Mr. C got involved and ordered me some seeds for planting.  The label is just right.  Beautiful blue flowers.  Those seeds are mighty small.  I hope I don't sneeze.  Think of a poppy seed muffin and you have the idea of the size of the seeds.  After a lot of research and reading I must "stratify" the seeds.  What?  I am so not a country girl or farmer's daughter.  

Here I have my good quality paper towel, moistened, and sprinkled with my teeny tiny seeds.  This is 5 packets of seeds!  I can only think I should have purchased 1000 packets so I can have some flowers that might grow and bloom.  

Here is my moistened paper toweling with the seeds enclosed in their sealed baggy which now sits in my refrigerator for 3 weeks.  No peeking and no touching!  This process is done to wake the seeds up from their dormant state they have been in.  

On May 1st I will be able to process these tiny seeds to the next step.  I will explain that when I get to it as it  overwhelms me to even try to understand what I am supposed to do.  I hope I remember to take photos then also to share.
Thank you Sharon for sharing your Himalayan Blue Poppy information with me.  I hope mine grow and bloom.
Our weather is very Winter!  Rain all day yesterday.  Today it is pouring rain and sleet, slush, hail, and a few snowflakes.  I am hesitating to run my errands as I just want to stay indoors and be cozy and dry.  However, today is Mr. C's birthday and we have plans.  Driving "down the hill" an hour each way to go shopping for new Levi's and then a really special birthday dinner at a favorite french restaurant he likes.  Happy Birthday Baby!
Yesterday I spent time in my studio and found the floor and swept it.  I also cleared a huge pile of stuff from my worktable.  It always feels so good to make progress.  I also prepped some packages for mailing...
May you each have days filled with joy and creative bliss...

Free PJ Tools...

I am not normally anxious to enter give-aways...especially really popular ones that get hundreds of comments.  However, for this one I am making an exception.  Miss Lori of Pretty Things blog is having a most generous give offered by PJ Tools.  Be sure to visit and see the copper heart earrings she created.  Because I like to make jewelry and charm pieces and general creative things I know I would really utilize these lettering tools and this fabulous little hammer.  So I admit to posting this so I might have a very slim chance of being selected to receive these tools.  I also admit to having my fingers crossed.  

Thank you for indulging my obsession with crafting tools.  One must have the right tools to do the job!  That is what Mr. C always says every time he purchases a new tool for anything car or engine related.  

Today has been a very wet one with lots of rain and dreary skies.  The deer came through munching everything green.  We had a bumper crop today...3 mamas and 4 little deer all traveling along our delicious landscaped buffet.  

Constant Creating is what I am trying to do today...  

Finishing ATCs...

Here are my supplies for the "April in Paris" ATC swap I am participating in this month over at ArtJoyStuff with Kimberly. Last month I did the "Celebrate Spring" and was ever so pleased with the swap results.  Thank you again Kim for managing all of this.
I thought this would be a wonderful week of completing unfinished projects however as my favorite quote says, "Life is what happens while you are busy making plans"...by John Lennon.  This week is rapidly shortening and my projects are not getting completed.  In fact I have had to start some new projects that I didn't intend on starting right now.  Flexible!  That is what I try to be.  I am still not feeling 100% since I got ill last week.  I am hoping it was just the flu and will be long gone very soon.  My energy level is not what it normally is.
Mr. C will be having his birthday Thursday  so I have been doing some extra special meals for him that take lots of attention and time (read...away from being crafty creative.).  I also baked him a cake because he really likes cake for his birthday and you do understand as we age we must celebrate and enjoy for many days...not just one.  So chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and covered in chocolate chips is what we have been eating every day.  My weigh in this week will be out-of-control but at least I know this too shall pass.
Happy week to all and I trust all your chocolate bunnies and jelly beans and deviled eggs are completely eaten.
Happy Spring and Birds Who Sing and lots of Creative Bliss...

What To Tackle This Week???

I think I have shared before about my Fosters Chickens.  Here you can see one of them.  She has her nose stuck into a bag of unfinished business.  These Foster Girls are always getting into something and I am never quite sure how they move around but they certainly do.  They have a front row view to the great outdoors while sitting on my sewing room corner window seat.  They have told me how comfortable it is and how much they like it.  I must take their word as I have not gotten to sit and enjoy it myself.  We might have to rearrange some things very soon.
Well I think I am getting the message of finishing some projects that have been hanging around far too long.  I will share the details at a later date...please read, when I finish.
Why is it always more fun to begin new projects than to finish old projects?  I certainly like finished projects.
This week I shall be finishing some already begun projects before I shall begin any new ones.
I know the Fosters Girls will be keeping me on my best behavior.  Ohhh...I do hope they don't figure out how to write blog posts.  They would surely do a tell all and I am not certain how I would like that.  They have far too much blackmail on me as it is.  After all they have lived with my since about 2005 or so.  They must have all kinds of fodder to share.  Good thing my computer is not within their wing-span reach.
Happy productive week to all.  The weather report says we are in for another rainy and possibly snowy week.
May we all finish more projects than we begin...