It's Me Again...

 Hi, Everybody (Again)!

Mom wants to apologize to you for droppin' the ball yesterday. So, here's what happened. Mom uses an editin' program for her videos called iMovie, on her ancient, circa-2009 computer. Those two things make for a fatal duo.

Mom did all the work to create her usual high quality pet videos, only to find that the dang thing wouldn't upload into YouTube, even though she gave it overnight to try. It stalled in her computer. I'm not gonna say she was miffed, but was she ever miffed!!

So, when she got up yesterday mornin', she decided to drag her hinder into the current decade and find out how all those teenagers are postin' such cool videos on Instagram. She ended up downloadin' an app called Videoshop™, and she started over again. 

So, without further ado, here's a better version of what she would have given to me yesterday to share with you:

  direct link: https://youtu.be/Dbq8E7Q0lO8
  Hope you think it was worth the wait. Personally, I think I'm adorable, albeit a little snarky.Now, I can sign off for this week.SMOOCHES!!!

I'll see you again next Tuesday. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

Hen Party...

Brynwood Needleworks - Chicken Pincushions

I watched one of Jenny Doan's videos last week, and decided that I should make a few of these cute and simple chicken pincushions. If you sew, HERE'S the link to the information and video for you to watch.

Brynwood Needleworks - Doily Combs

You can see that I used red wool fabric for one of the chickens' combs, but the rest of them were made from this little, crocheted doily. The sections were perfect for the size of my chickens, and the cut edges were all captured within the seams. I love how they turned out!

I began each chicken with two half square triangle blocks. I used some of my farm-themed fabric (the gray with lettering) for half of the blocks, and paired them with a sweet floral fabric. I used the farm fabric on four of the chickens, and then flowers and dots for the pink one. Their beaks are all a yellow wool triangle, and they each have a little Prairie Point tail.

Once they were sewn (except for a small opening for turning and filling), I stuffed each one with crushed walnut shells, and then stitched a French knot eye on each side of the head.

Brynwood Needleworks - Five Finished Chicks

 

They really were that simple. Now I have five little chickens roosting on my cutting table, waiting for more. I finally have chickens at the farm! (Even if they are made of fabric.)

 

Brynwood Accepted "The ALS Ice Box Challenge"...

I'm sure you're heard all about the ALS "Ice Bucket Challenge" by now. I knew someone would nominate me, and it finally happened on Wednesday   night. (Sending a big, snarky "thank you" to my cousin, Nathaniel!)   Of course, you know I'm not one to just grab a bucket and stand in the yard. Handsome and I put our heads together and came up with this little video.   I thanked him for helping me by nominating HIM! It's cheesy, I know, but we had fun, and hope you do, too, when you watch it. Tag even got in the act!   Here's the video: This is the direct link: http://youtu.be/_hBw3L2nR9c   Man! That water was chilly! I thought being in the pool would help, but it didn't. My head was cold even after I went back under water and swam to the steps... and it was 100º in steamy south Florida by the time we filmed this.
Enough silliness, though. ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) is serious business. In addition to having ice water dumped on me by my dear husband, I also made a donation to the ALS Association. I admit that I have selfish reasons for finding a cure for ALS. ALS and DM (Degenerative Myelopathy in dogs) are closely related. As of today, both diseases are incurable, and DM has the same symptoms.   From the ALS Association website: "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease  that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from  the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the  body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads  to their death. When the motor neurons  die, the ability of the brain to initiate and  control muscle movement is lost." In dogs the degeneration also leads to death.

The ALS Association and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals share their research results. It is my deepest desire that a cure be found for ALS - and DM. Taggart carries both genes for DM. That means he could live a long, healthy life with no effects whatsoever. It also means that he could develop DM after he turns ten, but I pray every day that he never exhibits symptoms.
So, I made my donation in addition to being soaked with water and ice. When  I nominated Handsome to take up the challenge, and I knew he'd also donate.
Perhaps you think the Ice Bucket Challenge is silly. That's ok. You're not required to do it. What I would like to ask is that you consider making a small donation to the ALS Association. Wouldn't it be wonderful if a cure were found in our lifetime? If you're so motivated, this is the link to make a gift toward continued research. Thanks for watching the video and making it all the way to the end of today's post. Tag and I really appreciate it.

Summer Vacation for Handsome...

Last night was a gas. Handsome had one more performance before the snowbirds head north - when the Concert Band, Orchestra and Chorale all go on summer break.

Locals assembled at the North Port Performing Arts Center, and this proud wife sat in the balcony so I could have the best view of his performance. I love watching him play, and usually have "cheek cramps" by the end of the evening from continuous grinning. Last night was especially fun because he was the only percussionist setting the tempo for the singers, all who perform for the sheer joy of making music.

Handsome is a seasoned performer, having begun in music classes in grade school and over the years he has amassed a long resume' of professional credentials. This is his first full year performing in North Port, so the people with whom he performs continue to be impressed - and I can't help but crow about him!

Well, I shot a few videos and have uploaded one from last night for you to see. Just click on the title of this post to view it...and notice that I've added a section under his photo on the right column. As I add more videos of his performances, you'll be able to enjoy his talent right along with me. I hope when you watch the video(s), you get cheek cramps right along with me!