~...On a Wing and a Prayer~

The farmers are busy at work here in the country. Spraying, fertilizing, the last tending to until fall. Cool picture though eh? Hubs and I have to get up early to travel about an hour for hubby's knee surgery. Wish us Luck!!! Hugs, over and out!

~Shabby Pink Sweetness~

Hello Friends~I've been busy all morning in my studio...mostly cleaning out the cobwebs..it's been so long that I've actually worked in there! Oh well, I'm BACK! Here's a cute little booty Ornie for my EBAY shop. Isn't she darling? I just love pink Squiggle Chenille!
The weather remains the same-humid, rainy, overcast! But it's so nice to be busy and creating again. It seems sometimes I am so uninspired, and then-all of a sudden I'm BAAACK!! It's so good to be back. Hugs~

Gearing Up for Strong Thunderstorms!

Happy Monday morning friends~
We are headed for a rocky day here in Iowa! Strong thunderstorms on the horizon mean very little internet access for me. So quickly....a little smile for you. Isn't this the cutest picture you have seen? I love it. I wish that I knew who took this amazing picture as I would love to accredit them. Whoever you are...THANKS for the SMILE!!
Hugs and Blessings~

Supremes de Volaille aux Champignons!

Hello friends!
In my previous post I wrote to you about a wonderful book that I was reading about the life of Julia Child, "My Life In France." This book inspired me to try one of her recipes! Since this book has no recipes, I found one of her recipes online. Supremes de Volaille aux Champignons (Chicken Breasts with Mushrooms and Cream.) I know what you are thinking....and NO this is NOT DIET FOOD! But it was the most incredible dinner I've had in a very long time. It looked so beautiful I even took a picture of it. Of course with my limited photography skills it didn't turn out well(it was yellowed) so then I tried to photoshop it a bit (another skill in which I am sorely lacking) and this is the best I could do. But I wanted to share with you the fablous meal we had last night. I shopped at the farmers market in the morning so everything was fresh! I served the chicken with swiss chard, steamed and tossed with olive oil and fresh pressed garlic. A slice of homemade wheat bread on the side. What a great meal! Now my goal is to locate a first addition of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" as I discovered that I loved the process of putting together a meal worth the effort! And truly it wasn't difficult. Chicken breasts, shallots, mushrooms, wine, lemon, cream, parsley and beef stock. A little olive oil as well. Today a salad! I ate only 1/2 of a chicken breast, and all of the greens. I was full and very, very satisfied. What a GREAT meal! Nothing processed-nothing canned-just REAL food. I found the recipe on Janet Keeler's Fabulous Blog Tampabay.com

~A Fabulous Read~

Good Morning Friends~I had to share with you a delightful book that I have just begun...and can't put down..."My Life in France," Written by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme(her nephew). I love to cook, and try at least one new recipe a couple of times a month as I get tired of the same old stuff all of the time. I am so fortunate that my big guy will eat anything on a plate, literally. I remembered Julia Child from her television show when was young-er(I keep reminding myself that I am not getting old, just maturing nicely). Anyway, as I watched Julia cook, I remember being more drawn to her character than I was to her recipes and cooking. Her voice, her stature, and her intense absorption in the act of cooking, I think it was her passion that drew me to watch her demonstrations. (I never made one of her recipes!) In this book her character shines, her devotion to family and friends as well as her love of all things French, especially French cuisine. It isn't all about food though, really, it is about the woman that I found so facinating so many years ago. I think this book would appeal to anyone as it is a remarkable journey of finding passion...and living it! Bon Appetit!

Lavender Winds

Hello Friends! Wow, it's been such a long time since I've posted!! I actually had to read my last post to figure out where I left off. Well, I am up to my ears in lavender! Actually all but two are first year babies, but two of last years plants gave me enough lavender for this large beautiful wreath! Also, enough left over for my dear friend Vicki who visited, to take some home!! I've been so busy planting and caring for my little lavender farm, I've totally neglected my blog. In addition to planting lavender, my hubby and I have researched and made the decision to purchase and put up a wind turbine. We have a nice breeze most days, and strong wind the rest of the days so this is a perfect place for a turbine.

Our little farm will be called "Lavender Winds"

I am having a ball, working in the yard, but my sewing and indoor production has been sadly lacking. Hopefully I will have some wonderful projects to share with you soon. I have been reading your blogs and keeping caught up with you although I haven't commented much.

Will post some new pictures soon. Hugs and Blessings!

Fun With Burlap....And Other Things..

For so long I have been wanting to make something with burlap. I love the texture and the monochromatic color of this fabric, also I remember when my mom would buy potatoes in burlap when I was young. So, it's kind of new and old for me. Yesterday it was raining so I got out my burlap and made this pillow! It was fun and great to get back into handcrafting.

Now for the big news! My hubby and I have a little over 2 acres here in Iowa, and it is all grass. It has been on my heart lately that we should do something with it. For many years I have grown lavender, just a few plants here and there because I love the rich frangrance, and the delicate flowers. I also use it for my garden, keeping the insects, deer and rabbits out. They dislike the fragrance of lavender...poor dears, they just don't know a good thing when they smell it! I also use it for sachets, cleaning, and candles. Anyway, hubby and I have decided to plant a lavender farm! This week I will have several plants coming in and we will be tilling and preparing the ground for the new little lavender plants! Doing what you love is a wonderful thing, no matter the hard work, it is enjoyable! I can just picture the beautiful slim purple wands swaying in the wind! Now it is time for the work however...we just need mother nature to comply. It has rained for 2 weeks now...and we need a nice day to begin our lavender garden. This time, I will take before and after pictures!!

Also, in the coming week I will let you in on an exciting venture that we are undertaking...that's the "wind" part of yesterday's post...Hmmmm...what could it be??

Hugs to you all, enjoy the weekend.

What a Beautiful Sunrise this morning! Below: A new Rag Quilt...finally!!

Good Morning Friends! Well, it's been an amazing last few weeks for us! Hubby's job is going better and better, and he is more relaxed than he has been in a year. It's so nice to have him back to his old self! We came to a breaking point...and realized that what we were lacking was faith. Faith that the Father knows in advance what is going to happen, and that He will see us through. We got so caught up in the tension each day, that we were beginning to stress out BEFORE my husband even left home in the morning! We are believers, and we love the Lord...but sometimes we forget to let God handle the hard stuff, the stuff I can't even understand! So for the last few weeks we have returned to the basics, we are reclaiming our lives, and rededicating our hearts to the Lord.

I have re-learned some valuable lessons amid the turmoil of this last year. 1. Let go and Let God. 2. When I am in a messy spiritual place, my creative spirit is non-existent. And 3. My memory is in dire need of a little Ginko!

Yes, it must be memory fade that is causing me to forget the basics! Ya think??? Let go and let God. Easy right?? Sheesh!

I have more wonderful news which I will post in the next few days and weeks. It has to do with Lavender......Wind.....and Farm.....Can you guess??? Hugs everyone and thank you so much for hanging in there with me throughout this difficult period. Blessings~~