Live A Quiet Life...

  This perfect image was shared by my friend, Dawn Edmondson from The Feathered Nest blog. This is my life these days. Indoors or out, my hands are busy, and my heart is happy.

Sunday Scripture...

Courtesy of my dear friend, Dawn of The Feathered Nest blog

Sharing What Works For Me...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fruit and Vegetables

Just over a month ago, I made a commitment to a healthier, more deliberate eating plan. I wasn't thinking "diet". Instead, I decided that I needed to change the way I think about and look at food.

Two weeks after I started, I had my annual doctor's appointment, and already the benefits were evident, with much improved blood test results. I was off to a great start.

Brynwood Needleworks - Fish and Meats

Then, one of my dear blog friends (who many of you also know through her writings) Dawn Edmondson of The Feathered Nest, decided to start a Facebook page and invited me to join.

It's called "Eating Healthy, Low Carb & Sharing What Works" (the name is a link). 

I found old friends there, and invited some of my own friends to join, as well. It's a great place for getting and sharing ideas and support for each other. It's "perfectly Dawn"!

The first two pictures are the result of my shopping trip to our local Amish market (Detwiler's) in Venice, Florida yesterday. All this glorious, colorful, healthy food (and the $12.99 succulent plant!) for slightly over $125.00, and this shopping trip will provide two meals a day for more than a week. Not bad!

***The raw honey in the back of this picture is a surprise for Handsome. This is a Sarasota product, with the bees collecting pollen from orange blossoms. mmm mmm! The jar next to it is Siesta Salsa, which I also use as a salad topping.

Brynwood Needleworks - Chicken Curry

Handsome is in Wisconsin right now, so the first dish I made while he's away was my own version of Chicken Curry. He's not a fan, so it's one of the things I enjoy in his absence.

I also create a side dish that is called "Raita" in East Indian cuisine. It has shredded carrots, baby peas, cabbage and chopped beets. Just right with the curry.

Brynwood Needleworks - Scallops and Brussels Sprouts

After shopping at our Amish market, I made sauteed' scallops with scallions; roasted Brussels sprouts; a side dish of avocado and heirloom baby tomatoes. I finished with a dessert of stewed fresh rhubarb, seasoned with Stevia, my homemade vanilla, cinnamon and topped with whipped cream.

It sounds decadent, doesn't it? Under the low carb (I chose Atkins to follow) plans, it's all allowed! So you don't think I'm feeding an army here, I served my scallops/sprouts on a 6" square plate and my side dishes are small berry bowls. It's a little hint to trick your mind into thinking you're actually eating more because your plates look full.

Brynwood Needleworks - Upscaled Tuna Salad

Lunches are healthy salads, like this tuna salad I made with a simple blend of Duke's mayonnaise and celery mixed into the tuna. I then topped a bed of lettuce with a nice scoop of the salad, and garnished with walnuts, chopped apples and shredded cheddar cheese.

Brynwood Needleworks - Meatballs and Cauliflower

Publix makes the most delicious meatballs that they sell raw in their meat department. I almost always have a package of them in our freezer for quick meal options. I made this batch into a stroganoff-type mixture and then served it over mashed cauliflower (blended with butter and cheddar cheese). Peas over the top were a nice finish.

Brynwood Needleworks - Chicken Kiev with a filling side salad

In a low carbohydrate diet, dairy is encouraged...whole cream, half and half, sour cream and cheese in moderation. Protein choices are meats, fish, and nuts, and vegetables add color, fiber and texture to meals. Anything "white" is to be avoided...sugar, potatoes, flour, breads, rice, and pastas. Juices and high sugar fruits in moderation. Anything "low fat" actually has added sugar, so avoid those items, too.

Brynwood Needleworks - Sonny's Sliced Pork, Sweet Potato and Broccoli

The reason I gravitate to this food plan is because it's easy to know what to eat (mainly by knowing what to avoid). I don't have to count calories and I'm not constantly thinking about food. I'm learning to "eat to live" rather than "live to eat" (the way I was raised). 

Brynwood Needleworks - Grilled Cheeseburger

The other component to this lifestyle change is that you don't need to feel guilty about eating something not in the plan once in a while. You just don't do it every day.

In the month since I started changing my eating habits, I have lost 14 pounds. Changing my outlook about food will continue to benefit my overall health, so I'm doubly motivated to keep on track.

Don't worry. This isn't becoming a "foody" blog. I only wanted to share this aspect of my life that helps support me so that I can accomplish all those other things that bring you back to visit me...like the time I spend in the studio.

These photos were all taken to share in our Facebook group. Many of the members share meal photos...and then share recipes, too. If you would like to join Dawn's group, you can click here and ask to be added. You'll find the group to be welcoming and generous, just like our leader.

Oh, and apologies right now if scrolling through these images has made you hungy. I only hoped to inspire, not tease. If you'd like any of my "recipes", just let me know and make sure I have your email address so I can respond.

Now it's time to get back to playing in the studio. I'm going to make more dresses today. Friday is our deadline!

Sunday Scripture...

Thank you, Dawn @ The Feathered Nest for sharing

Lavender Sachets...

 I just know you're going to love these beautiful lavender sachets that

recently arrived from my creative friend, Dawn at The Feathered Nest!

 One of them has a scroll with the words "May friendship's well never run dry".

I especially like the daisies on this one. (It's Mom Grace's favorite flower.)

 This other one features a vintage image of old-time roses with a 

"Many Happy Returns" message in the corner. These roses remind me

 of the rose-covered wallpaper on the walls of my childhood bedroom.

 She embellished the beautiful images with her signature seam binding

and then she added sparkling buttons. Don't you think it's just a perfect 

touch for the lovely pink and green floral images that Dawn chose?

 I'll be showcasing these fragrant sachets in the studio for a while. They

smell great, and they also make me smile just looking at them. I think

they'll fit right in, don't you? Of course, later I'll move them to my

bureau drawer where I'll enjoy the aroma of lavender every time I open it.

Studio Pretties...

 Yesterday was a really great day!

I spent the morning with Handsome. We went out for lunch and ran a few errands 

together. My healing is going well, and this outing made for a nice, normal day.

When we returned home, I changed my clothes and headed back to the studio. 

I finished assembling all of the plates for his quilt, and now I just need to sew 

them all to their base fabrics. I know his quilt top will be finished next week! I 

get really energized when I can the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel".

I thought I'd share a few studio "pretties" with you while I  keep working.

 This lovely pincushion was created by my friend, Dawn Edmondson of The Feathered 

Nest blog. She makes such lovely things and this pincushion is a particular favorite 

in my collection. Everything she makes is so pretty, and she's an inspiration to so many.

 

Also pictured with my pincushion is my favorite silver thimble, a comfy pair of mini 

scissors, and an antique stiletto tool that once belonged to my beautiful mother-in-law. 

I purchased the thimble from a vendor at our last guild quilt show and it fits me

perfectly. The mini scissors have larger finger holes, which makes them so nice to use.

 The "doily" was made especially for me by a friend about four years ago.

I adore the color combination of pink, white and sage green. I think that some day, 

I might have to do a whole room in these colors (minus the yellow). I can see it now.

No Coffee Club the morning. Kathy and Nora are with their husbands

and Mom on a little trip for a long weekend. I'll be in the studio instead.

Have a great day, everybody!

I'll be back tomorrow with my Father's Day message.

1925 Farmhouse Goods and Sew Many Roses...

1925 Farmhouse Goods Etsy Header

Dear friend, Dawn Edmondson of The Feathered Nest has opened a new Etsy shop.

It's called "1925 Farmhouse Goods", and features "all things old and wonderful".

All images are used with Dawn's permission.

 You'll find sweet items like this little baby pin pinkeep...

 or a gorgeous ironstone tray (unless I buy this one myself first!)...

Or a vintage copy of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn.

Click here to head over to Dawn's lovely shop and enjoy browsing.

I know you'll have fun and who knows what you can't live without!

By the way, Dawn has another shop called "Sew Many Roses" where she
showcases all her fabulous handcrafted creations and patterns. I swear, you'll faint
when you see them. She has a special eye for creating the most lovely things.

 Click here to visit "Sewmanyroses".
Don't blame me if you have too much fun shopping. I'm just the messenger. hee hee

February QAL Finish and Winners...

I finished my QAL piece for February for our group

at Sandy's Quilt Shop. I love the way it turned out!

 

Completed in Moda's French General fabrics, I also added vintage buttons...

 

 and even a little French General embroidered ribbon.

je t'aime...I love you...

perfect for my February mini quilt!

I'm looking forward to the design for March, and

I sure won't be dawdling on the next one!

It's time to announce the winners of my 1000th Post Giveaway!

 Winner of the First Giveaway Gift - Set of 6 napkins

 DAWN of The Feathered Nest

Winner of the Second Giveaway Set - Vintage linens assortment

MARY ANN of Handcrafted by Mary Ann Miller

Congratulations to both winners. I'll be sending out your gifts right away!

Thank you to everyone who entered. 

It won't be long before I celebrate THREE years of blogging -

with another giveaway, of course!

I hope you'll stay with me, so that we can continue this journey together.

Because It Matters...

I know that we bloggers all keep track of the number of "followers" (I prefer "friends") who choose to add our blogs to their reading lists. I've read some bloggers who've said that they've considered removing the "followers" option from their sidebars because watching the numbers haunts them.

I've noticed lately that my numbers are on a downward trend. I say that it's ok for people to choose to go somewhere else. Perhaps they don't like the subject matter of my posts? I'm certainly a likeable enough person in my own right. I tell myself I don't care. We say out loud that we don't care, when we actually do. Why else would we even look at the numbers?

I know that between my own blog writing, studio pursuits and family, my blog reading/commenting time allotment is pretty tight. I don't like to stop by without commenting, because I'd like you to know that I care about what you're writing, your life and your pursuits. Surely, I'm not the only one who has to make decisions about where our time is best spent, so we become more selective about our blog reading. We are attracted to those who share our interests. We, sometimes sadly, have to let the rest go.

Why am I choosing this as a subject for my post today? Well, it's like this...

Thank you, Dawn - The Feathered Nest - for the sweet image.

I have been following LOTS of blogs in the years since I discovered what a blog was and then started my own. I actually have never "un-followed" any of those blogs (with the exception of one blogger who really ticked me off), so I feel like I've been a good friend to those of you who write their own thoughts on the internet.

In the wake of my numbers dropping, I thought, "Alright, ladies (and gents). I'm going back to review those blogs I've added to my reading list over the years and drop some of y'all who I don't really even recognize anymore." (Thinking, "That will make me feel better!")

Well, I deleted my name from one blog (which seemed to take forever), and then POOF! I found that ALL the blogs I've been following all this time have been deleted from my list!! All my dear friends who will see their numbers diminish by one might have the same thoughts going through their heads that I've had. BAAAA! How am I going to fix this?

Another beautiful image from Dawn.

I'm going to start by heading over to my sidebar, clicking on each and every blog that is listed there and re-add myself as one of their (your) followers. Then, I'm going to go through some of my bookmarks on my computer to track down the rest of you. I know. It's going to take a while.

The result of this massive event is that now I'm wondering if my numbers were going down because someone consciously deleted me - or if Blogger did it for them with a mass deletion of all their reading list?

I don't care. (Of course, I do!) Numbers don't matter. (Of course, they do!) I'll change who I am and what I write in order to be wittier, craftier and more likeable. (Is change even possible? I'm 56 years old!) Or...I'll just keep being me, loving those friends who like me the way I am. People with whom I have something in common. Yes. That's what I'll do.

I've said this before, but I'll say it again because it really is true. All of you, my friends, mean the world to me. I started writing my blog for me, to me. I continue to write for me, but now I write to you, too. Thanks for being there, even when you don't comment. I know you're there by looking at my sidebar.

Thanks for inspiring this introspection, Blogger. Really. Thanks.

Cherish Friends...

I received a package in the mail on Tuesday from Twyla and Lindsey of Two Crazy Crafters. I had entered their giveaway during the Mad Tea Party blog event. (Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist was the gracious hostess of the Mad Tea Party.) They were offering a beautiful tag made by Twyla's daughter, Lindsey...and I won!
They have a beautiful, vintage-flavored blog, and share their love of Barbie Dolls, vintage treasures and Twyla and Lindsey's handwork. I've become friends with them over the past year, and Twyla and I have exchanged gifts with each other over that time. When they notified me that I'd won their drawing, I expected an envelope which would contain the fabulous, magical Alice tag, but this was a box! Ohhhhhh, I love surprises!
Here is Lindsey's beautiful tag, which already has a spot of honor on my inspiration board in the studio. Lindsey works at a scrapbook store and regularly shares her talent for paper assembly on their blog. Thank you, Lindsey for such a lovely Alice keepsake! It's really a treasure!
I was so surprised to find a crocheted pincushion that Twyla made for me! Girlfriend, you know I love pincushions, and this one is perfect for the studio! It's on top of the pattern cabinet, along with the pincushions made by Dawn (The Feathered Nest) and Shell (The Raspberry Rabbits). I'm going to be using it, for sure, but for now, I'm going to look at it and remember the friend who created it for me.

Finally, the girls tucked the acorn tile (at the top of this post) into the box. Do these gals know me, or do these girls know me? I've hung the tile up in the studio and smile every time I look at the words that appear on it (Cherish Friends). I really do cherish all my friends. Thank you, Twyla and Lindsey.

P.S. This is a link to a few of the wedding photos taken of my cousin, Nate and his bride, Chelsea in Wisconsin last weekend. I'm so glad I was there!

Karly Jo Photography has a blog (My Picture Life) with lots of beautiful images of other photo shoots, but the photographer caught the essence of this couple perfectly!

I know that the albums she creates for them and their folks will be a real reminder of a perfect wedding on a beautiful day.