~A Nature Walk~

Today is such a Beautiful Fall day! The wind is barely blowing, and the sun is peeping out here and there. I decided to take a little walk and snap some photos. I started from my back porch. Just look at the colors of that tree! Isn't is marvelous? Then out to the front yard to chase Freeway...who was chasing squirrels! As I looked for the doggy I found these HUGE mushrooms! Wow! They are very interesting, no? Wonder if they are edible? Then across the road and down in the valley I spied some beautiful fall colors. The picture is rather faded but still very pretty.

This morning I went to the college and filed my intent to graduate!! In May, my long...long quest for the education I failed to pursue in my youth will be realized! It felt so good to walk out of the buildings and know that my time spent inside those once, so intimidating walls is almost over. I recalled the first day that I attended a class...I had been out of school for 25 years or so. I didn't know where I was going, and I didn't know anyone. I made it to my class...so far so good...then, as soon as it was over, while waiting for my next class to begin...I went outside, sat in my car and just cried!! (smiling) I don't know why I was so overcome with emotion right then...probably overwhelmed, nervous, and scared. I almost drove away..I really did. I remember looking around and being so self conscious that I was the oldest person in the class! Ha! It didn't take long to feel at ease, and like I belonged there. So...hurry up, but take your time getting here May!

As I walked along the gravel road on my nature walk this morning I had a chance to thank the Lord for all of the blessings in my life...the wonderful family & Darling hubby that I love so so much, being able to complete school, to live in such peace and tranquility here on my little hilltop retreat. I even thanked God that I was able to take the walk and thankful that my shoes and pants were covered in mud from stepping in a hole as I breathed in the beauty around me. Thankful that little by little this condo queen is becoming a little more outdoorsy and comfortable with that.

Blessings All~

~Baby It's Cold Outside!!!!~

And that's all I have to say about that!!!

Blessings~

~So, You Think It's Easy, Huh?~Alicia Merret

Greetings! A couple of days ago, I happened upon the website of Alicia Merret, and as it often goes, I ended up spending several hours getting acquainted with the work of this "Oh So Talented Fabric Artist!" I even watched her Part 1, 2, & 3 videos on youtube. I am enthralled with her work, not only the excellence in her designs, and her sewing prowess.....but her colors! She uses bright, bold colors in her quilting art, rarely ever a pastel or white. And it is such a wonderful contrast with her wavy uneven lines that are her trademark. Forget straight lines!! BORRRRING! Go for waves and curves it's fun! Well, after watching her videos, I set out to make a swatch to see if I really understood what she was doing. Although it looked easy enough and made sense when she did it....I found that sewing an uneven line, is rather daunting! You have to get used to crooked being a good thing! It's really not easy at all! How many times I have finished a seam, cut the thread, pulled it off of the machine and looked at a crooked line thinking...what the heck happened here??!! But, when you try to do it on purpose??!! It's hard!! Too funny! Anyway, here is my swatch of crooked lines, and an attempt to boldly contrast my pinks and whites with COLOR!! (smiling) If you get a chance, please look up her youtube videos. She is AMAZING!!

Blessings~

~Fall In Full Swing!~

What Splendor! Every morning I wake up and open the shades to find a drastic change in the color of the yard! Sometimes the sugar maples look pink...the very next day they are a stunning combination of pink, orange, brown, and green! What a beautiful scene what a beautiful time of year! The weather has been wonderful, about 60 degrees this week, and my hubby and I have enjoyed each and every moment of it. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow morning and see what awaits!!

Blessings~

~Mixing Vintage & New..Perfectly Charming~

A few days ago I shared with you some fabric I was going to use to make a rag quilt. I had decided to keep it for my living room. A few years ago I found some wonderful Scalamandre fabric online and recovered these old chairs; one is an old Morris Chair that my hubby got at an auction for 20.00(directly above); and the other one is a homemade chair that we also bought at auction for 5.00. They are tiger sawn oak and the wood is just beautiful which is what attracted us to each of them in the first place. This quilt looks fantastic with the colors of the chair fabric! So...it's ours!! The house is quite bright today as we finally have sun, so the colors on the chairs are a bit muted, but they just look wonderful together! Next...new curtains!

I also wanted to mention that I have been pouring over several series written by the author, Terri Blackstock. If you ever find any books by her...pick them up! They are fabulous. Newpointe 911 is the series I have just finished...great!

One last thing, I was looking at gardens on the Internet the other day, as I am planning to use our acreage for beauty as well as sustenance. I ran across a blog that was so beautiful I wanted to share the loveliness with you. Sweet Maria at Casa Dulce Hogar in Santiago, Chilie has the Most Romantic gardens and Gorgeous landscaping! You won't want to miss this!

Blessings Everyone!

P.S. Is this music fun or what?? It is called, "The Way, The Truth, The Life" by John W. Watilo

It makes me want to get up and DANCE! Bless you!

A Little Color From Farm Country Iowa~

Good Morning! As part of my "learn to love fall" therapy, I tromped all over my little hilltop paradise looking for spectacular "Fall Color." Now I have been seeing blogs all over the web with the MOST Gorgeous fall photos. So off I went seeking splendor, with my trusty companion Freeway, hiking under dripping trees and through saturated bushes over damp muddy ground in 40 degree weather, trying my hardest to enjoy the great outdoors in fall! It just wasn't workin' for me.....So, back onto safer ground.. the tree is right in my front yard as is the sedum at the bottom, the other red bush is in my neighbor's yard. And frankly, I'm a mess, muddy from head to toe, cold and damp!! Perhaps I should stick to my front yard for awhile until I really get in the spirit of fall! For now, I will take a steaming hot bath, light my candles, and have a nice cup of hot tea. Actually fall IS rather nice...looking towards the outside from cuddly warmth of the inside!

Oh yes...did I mention that the wind is blowing 30 miles an hour?!
Ahhh yes...the Great Outdoors!!

Show & Tail~The Sun's Up...Don't Wake Me!

Ugh! Not Again With the Camera!!!

Sun's Up~Rise and Shine!

Oh Yea, It's a Great Day! Now...Let Me Back In~

Time for a Morning Nap!!

Believe it or not...there is a beautiful brand new dog bed at the foot of my bed. Won't use it!! Maybe if I put a pillow on it?? She seems to need a Pillow! Eureka! Off to the Laundromant for the quilt sized machines!!

It's a dogs life!

Please join Angela at WVTreasures for more Wonderful Show and Tail posts!

~Cold Weather & A Cozy New Quilt!~

Hap-py Monday Mornin' Friends!! Time for a new quilt...and I may keep this one! I just love Cyrus Clark fabrics, and these particular (3 top ones) are my absolute favorites! Because they are discontinued (darn) I think I should keep it. It's so cheerful and bright and those colors are just so appealing! I will post the finished product for you to see. I am actually running on no sleep, (every once in a while that happens), & 3 cups of coffee...better go use up my energy on the treadmill while it lasts! Blessings~