GIVEAWAY

It is such a beautiful sunny morning here in very nippy Florida, I know the rest of you must be cold too!

Here is a little something to warm the cockles of your heart ... A GIVEAWAY
My friend Sara of Graphic Pretties is giving away a Blog Makeover

Head over & enter your name

Now rumor has it some of us need personal makeovers too but she unfortunately isn't offering that today!

More amazing rug photos coming later today!

Blessings 2 U Friend

Ooops Thursday got away from me

Ever have one of those days where before you know it ... it's over?
DH left early to head to Tigertown/Joker Marchant Stadium for Pigfest even took the camper.
He did leave Peppermint Scones & Strawberry White Chocolate Scones for the ladies tonight.

So here I am a single parent again until Sunday...after my Chiro adjustment, stop at Starbucks & blood work I can home & went for my 3.5 mile run/walk...actually more walk/run.
Got a call from a bf, now mind you there are VERY FEW people I can talk to on the phone for more than 10 minutes. Then before I knew it I was on facebook carrying on the phone conversation that ended. Of course I was cleaning & moving furniture while this was going on for my crop tonight but the afternoon & evening were almost gone & I was texting.
Facebook is addicting when I woke up at 3 am I checked for a message & found another friend online wide awake too nice to know your not alone sometimes.

Anyway here are more photos from the Florida Scrub Hooking last weekend...







and since I won't be posting later...may get another call before the crop ;-)






Enjoy your day and may you find something to smile about!

Blessings 2 U friends

♥

Did you come back?

I hope so because I have some more AMAZING rug photos from the Florida Scrub Hooking to show you....


This is poor Otis after a tiring day at camp while Mom was away hooking..
poor pitiful thing so mistreated can't you tell?

On Saturday we had a wonderful breakfast & got back to our rugs....We also guessed at each ladies lie from Friday's game 2 truths & a lie, the ladies in class were too much fun! Most had trouble remembering the lie but others were completely obvious.
2 boyfriends....hahaha

This is Laurie Simpson's, Polly's sister, Hand Quilted piece.. everyone of us offered to take it off her hands
from the upcoming Flag Day Farm Collection

We also had our traditional Rug Show...all the teachers/students who want to exhibit a completed rug bring them to the lobby and volunteers work shifts to answer any questions of the other hotel guests or hookers.

Here are some of the rugs exhibited in no particular order.





I tried to capture the tag that went with them but some didn't show too well...sorry.

stay tuned....


Blessings 2 U Friend

Florida Scrub Hooking

This is Polly's current project


View out the impromptu Rug Hooking Store aka Anne's Room


This is Paradise especially in January


My dear friend & classmate of 2 yrs Diana
This is her first rug Polly had started it last year & Diana finished it.


Polly's newest creation


a finished rug of hers


This is the smaller version of The 4th of July Parade Rug that I love
Notice the twill tape border in the middle


Her Blue on White Version of the Gameboard I am almost finished with


...stay tuned

Blessings 2 U Friend

More Amazing Animals ... Heading off to the Hookers Retreat

If your a faithful reader you will remember early last year that I found an adorable kitten in the engine of the Suburban.
We had occasional sightings of it in the yard throughout the year.
Friday morning Emma found her again, she wasn't too frightened. Little Miss Kitty stood her ground in front of the camper as I called Emma back into the house, not even hissing.
When I returned bearing a plate of food she was gone so I headed towards the playhouse, where I had seen her before. Surprise there were two tiny orange kittens peaking out from under the playhouse.
I left them the mornings entree, to find them all happily munching their breakfast when I went inside.
We also left instructions for Jessica to pick up a bag of kitten food (C/D is a bit expensive to feed strays) for them & she should leave them a plate of food while she was here giving Calvin his medications.

Off to Sebring...
Last year the Hook-In was good. This year it was GREEEEAAAAT (in my best Tony the Tiger voice)!

After my family deposited me on the road in front of the Hotel I located our classroom.
This year we had our own classroom conveniently located in the restaurant alongside the bar where Polly had started putting out wool & kits for our choosing.


The completed rug I chose to start

An alternate version


....to be continued.


Blessings 2 U Friends


;-)

The Excitement is Building.....

After class last night we ran over to help Tim put Gavin's tube back in then raced home to watch LOST...we had it recording so we can zip through the commercials. I had such a headache during class that I wasn't sure I would make it and sure enough I fell asleep halfway through the darn show. I am going to have to watch it again to actually decide if I like the way things are going this year.

We had hard freeze warnings here last night & we woke up to this

FROST

It has been so cold here in Central Florida that my dogs don't even want to go out unless they REALLY have to go.

Today we are trying to get things completely packed into the camper before Gavin arrives. So there is a lot of scurrying in & out into the brisk air.
I might have to drive down myself with the family following a little later tomorrow as I don't want to be late this year for the Florida Scrub Hooking. I want to see all Polly has packed before it is gone this time. Instead of bringing a rug to finish I am going to start a new one instead this should lessen the amount of things I need to pack. Making sure the family has food (mine is covered at the Inn) the dogs have their leashes, food & medications, everyone has enough clothing/shoes/sweatshirts etc. Thank GOD it will be warmer than it has been during the daytime but the nights will still be in the 40's or 50's.

As I am typing this 'Conehead' is sitting on my lap to keep warm. If I get a few minutes later today I hope to update the Rug Hooking Blog as Cyndi sent me some photos' of the rugs she just mailed off. I still think there are a few finished photo's I am missing, Jo's, Cheryl's & Lois' Rugs?

Back to work have to make sure the Camera & Charger are packed!

BLESSINGS 2 U Friends

Michael I hope you have a safe trip home from your racing Corvettes in Nevada and that you have some exciting weather to report in Chicago!

LOST

Last Thursday I started a post and thought I published it but it must have been a dream because it is not here! It is LOST...speaking of which anyone watching the season premiere on Wednesday? I AM!

Sahara took this photo and is using it on her Birthday invitations

What is everyone doing to stay warm? Personally I am trying to keep busy, which as you know is not hard around our home.

We babysat Gavin Thursday & Saturday last week, he is crawling (short lengths) and has cut his first tooth. He still vomits his formula and is on the NG feeding tube each night. This last week Tim gave him a break because the tape was irritating his skin.

Thursday Susan & I tried to dye up some browns so she could finish her ottoman/stool

Thanks to this cold/virus I missed hooking a week ago but did make it this Saturday. I found out another lady from last year was back but Nancy didn't attend this week so I will have to wait until next Saturday to give her hugs. Class was full and even Sahara came along with me. Amy had made her this adorable purse from an old silk tie, she made me promise not to show it since it was her first, I think it looks wonderful but will wait for her next one to show you.
Four Seasons Class Project
Maggie's Ottoman ready to be mounted


Sunday was FOOTBALL at our house, the entire family was here, even Gavin for the games. Gabriel made Mojito's that were wonderful. I worked on my rug during the game and got a little more finished.



Today we took Casper back to the Veterinary Ophthalmologist in Tampa, he is doing wonderfully we have to continue a few meds for 2 more weeks then the cone can come off & he only has to have eye drops & gel to keep his eyes well lubricated for the rest of his life. There is some cloudiness but we are hopeful it will clear eventually. His Right eye has a slight cataract but nothing that should ever impair his vision! Thank you for all the Prayers!

Calvin is doing well on his meds currently and we hope the infection was averted & the anti-inflammatory meds will help long term.

This weekend is the Sebring Hook-In so I hope to have TONS of great photos of all the attendees', teachers & rugs. I just saw Polly's newest rug which will be featured in next months Country Home Magazine I am hoping she will have it or a kit with her Friday.

Next week the influx of Cardinal & Steeler fans will invade our lovely area for Superbowl 43 I hope the weather is perfect!

Well off to accomplish some things around here the annuals need to be covered again later today along with packing the camper, taking down the Christmas tree, daily domestic jobs, school & animal medicating.
Stay Warm were ever you are today!


Blessings 2 U Friends

SO HAPPY I LIVE HERE!

I have been chatting with a few friends & family the last few days on facebook, it is wonderful to be connected in daily conversations with those people you care about.
A couple friends are traveling to Minnesota this week from Florida...it's freezing and I mean freezing...the high is going to be -12 degrees...stay warm Cathy & Dawn.

In my hometown they have been getting snow on almost a daily basis and the temps are dropping. At least their high temps will be in the teens but they keep getting fresh snow!
Stole this from my niece's facebook...they are expecting another 3-5 inches of snow tomorrow?


Here in Paradise it is currently 64 degrees and partially sunny. Although storm clouds are in the gulf, and moving inland for later today this morning is picture perfect.

What will you do with this new day?

Mine is a little busy but I am going to enjoy it as I feel a bit better today, a friend is coming by to pick up some stickers to work on her album project.
The kids will be working on school & I hope to finish Gavin's Heirloom Stocking for next Christmas so I can pack it away with a few more Christmas Decorations today, between lessons. grading & domestic jobs.
Yes I still have the tree & some decorations up, they didn't go up until late this year & I am enjoying them still!


I LOVE FLORIDA this time of year...now get back with me in August/September to see if we have melted!

Blessings 2 U Friends

Glorious Sunday Morning

It is another beautiful day in Central Florida today, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, what is that unusual sound...a rare Florida Bird, Frog, Gator....no it's me STILL COUGHING!

If you don't homeschool sorry you may not find this as funny as us Homeschooling Moms

*A Homeschool Mom’s New Year’s Resolutions*

I will not be late for field trips, classes, parties, doctor's
appointments, church or any other important events, even if I have to take the baby 'as is.'

I will limit my email/facebook to two hours a day so I can remember to feed the children.

I will quit stealing grocery money to buy more books at the local library sale.

I will never again try to figure out how everything we do & purchase is a tax deduction for education.

I promise not to get mad or yell at anybody before church, even if the children have to go with one shoe and unmatched socks.

I will quit hiding in the bathroom when the children overwhelm me.

I will start a home business to finance my book addiction. I think I'll start with buying and selling books on eBay.

I promise myself I will lose 20 pounds before my high school reunion in June.

I promise to read all the neat books I bought to the children before I sell them on eBay.

I promise to put $20 every week into my Education Envelope so I don't cry in the
vendor hall at our local homeschool convention this spring.

I will go to bed on time so I can wake up before the baby, even if I have to leave the dishes in the sink, again.

I will wash the car every week and clean it out after every trip out of town.

I promise to control all conflict, including screaming, kicking, throwing things, slamming
doors, pouting, fighting, leaving, locking people in the bathroom, and other such childish behavior, when I don't get my way.

I promise to read to the children every night and quit pretending I'm asleep.

I promise not to usurp the answering machine's authority.

I promise not to hog the computer once my husband has come home from work even
though he only wants to play solitaire.

I promise to try to think of one positive thing to tell my husband when he comes home
from work before I unload on him the 20 things that went wrong.

I will try not to buy one more math program.

I promise to teach my children the correct response to store clerks and bank tellers so
they don't reply, 'I don't go to school.'

I promise to quit bribing my children to be quiet by paying them money or candy.

I promise to read all the books I own before I buy anymore.


Enjoy these as I go relax on the lanai and soak up the sun poolside and for those of you who live in the frozen northern tundra...I am sorry. :-(


Blessings 2 U Friends

Virus/Germs/Bacteria/YUCK!

Well it is day 5 and this 'bug' is showing no signs of retreat so my post will be another short & sweet one today.
Susan isn't feeling well today either so we cancelled our dyeing day and no Gavin since I don't want him to catch this crud.

Yesterday was another Vet trip but this time it was Calvin, he was showing all the typical signs of a bladder infection again so I ran him in for tests. Oddly there was no bacteria so we are trying anti-inflammatory drugs this time along with some Amoxicillin just for good measure in case we were sooo early in catching it.

Have you ever tried to give medicine to a cat?

Thankfully his thyroid pill can be broken into tiny pieces & hidden in cheese and so can this anti-inflammatory pill but the Amoxicillian well that is a horse of a different color.

Sorry I couldn't decide which one I liked best!

Take your vitamins, get plenty of rest, wash your hands & keep away from sick folks!

Blessings 2 U Friends...stay healthy

Divine Butter Cake

Since I am still battling this upper respiratory thing I thought I would just share a recipe with you and not all the joy that is this stupid virus!

When I was younger staying at Grandma's meant we would bake a bundt cake....they were ALL THE RAGE back then so I thought I would share this wonderful basic recipe
We would buy the bundt cake box that sometimes included the packets of fudge to marblize the cake and you can add cocoa or Hershey's Syrup or Hot Fudge topping in this recipe to 'fancy' it up.
Use a knife to drag the chocolate through the batter once it is in the pan.

You can also add lemon, orange, cinnamon, rum, berries, bananas, apples, pumpkin, lavender, nuts or your favorite flavor to this basic recipe the possibilities are endless!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
3 Cups Flour
2 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 C Buttermilk (or 1 Tbsp Lemon juice and 1 Cup regular milk)
1 tsp Vanilla

1 C Butter (softened)
2 tsp Vanilla
4 Eggs
Combine flour, powder, soda and salt and set aside. Cream butter and sugar well. Add eggs to creamed mixture, one at a time, beating well after each. Combine buttermilk and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and buttermilk to creamed mixture, alternately beginning and ending with dry ingredients pour into a bundt pan.

55-70 minutes a cake tester or bamboo skewer inserted will come out clean when done.


Glaze
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/3 Cup Butter
3 Tbsp Water
1Tbsp Vanilla


Melt in Sauce Pan.
Take off heat and add Vanilla

Leave Cake in Pan- poke holes with a skewer in bottom of cake. Pour 1/2 the glaze into holes. Leave in pan for 15 minutes and then turn it out onto plate & drizzle the rest of the glaze.

Invite a friend over for coffee or tea & share a piece of heaven.


Blessings 2 U Friends!