My Fair Lady and Paco

Had the most loverly of loverly days yesterday.  For Christmas I had bought my daughter, Katie, and myself tickets to see "My Fair Lady" at the Arizona Broadway Theater.  My daughter and I enjoy seeing musicals together (since the Redneck won't go with me) but this is the first time we had been to a dinner theater.  It was so nice.  They didn't allow cameras in but here are some shots from the website:

We first had a wonderful meal.  Kate had the vegetarian which was risotto with Parmesan, portabellos and asparagus and I had the NY strip with shrimp.  The meal was amazing and the service impeccable.  After dinner we ordered a chocolate cheesecake that was served during intermission. 

Neither one of us had seen the play before so it was a lot of fun to see it together.

On to Paco:

Last week a friend brought over a huge supply of sewing/craft things that her mother had had for years.  They had been clearing out some of the old things in her home and were going to take everything to Goodwill.  I was the recipient of the craft/sewing things!  I called my sweet friend Connie and she and I went through everything and sorted out who gets what.  I'm happy to tell you, no blood was shed and hair was not pulled.  We're mature like that.

I got most of the sewing supplies including some wonderful vintage hand embroidered pillow cases and Connie took the yarn.  There was some lovely aqua colored yarn and I pointed out that I thought I needed an octopus in that color.  I have no idea why I needed an octopus, I just wanted one at that moment.  Sweet Connie met up with me on Friday night with a crocheted octopus.  I just love him and I can't believe she did it so quickly!

His name is Paco and I love him so very much.  He makes me deliriously happy.  Thank you again Connie, you know I love you!

Holly

xxx-ooo

Flowers

Good Morning!

Took some time last night to play with fabric.  There are so many things I want to do and so little time.  I learned how to make flowers and and am now trying to figure out what to put them on. 

I made a pillow for our bed.

The flowers are so easy to make and it takes about ten minutes.

I am trying to come up with some other ideas for them.  Any suggestions?

Holly

xxx-ooo

I'm Seriously Trying and This is The Best I Can Do....FAIL!!

I cannot take pictures.  I just can't.  Ok, I can, I just can't take decent pictures.  Whatever.

Let me first say that I wanted to take some pictures of a gift that a dear friend sent to me.  I have been trying for the past 45 minutes.  I take a pic, check it out, adjust the ISO, AV, TV, speed, shutter thingy and take another picture.  Have you figured out from that last sentence that I have no idea what I'm talking about.

A dear friend Kris, over at Simplify has been making these really cute little bloomies and she sent me one.  She's also opened her Etsy shop and I would love to have you check it out here.

Isn't that the cutest little thing?

Kris is adorable.  She is a wonderful cook and she also knits.  She has beautiful grandkids and her blog is a lot of fun to read.  I've made several of her recipes and they are always great.  Please check her out!  Thanks Kris, I love you!

So, I was trying to get pictures of the Bloomie she sent me. 

Just take a look, here is how to NOT take a picture of yourself.

Do not cover up the object you are taking a picture of with your hand and don't cut your head off.

You should not look terrified and should actually get closer to the object you are trying to capture.

You should not show perfect strangers all of your chins.

You should not confuse the cat who just wants you to put the camera down and turn the faucet on so she can get a drink (spoiled).

No one wants to see your ceiling vent.

Apparently, it's important to have good light.

So, I'm sorry Kris that I couldn't do it justice.  But I do love the Bloomie, thanks so much dear sweet friend!

Holly

xxx-ooo

Haven't Forgotten

I haven't forgotten about Ya'll.  I've been busy this past week.  Work has gotten a little out of hand but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I've been trying to figure out how to design my new craft room/office, I've been running crazy errands, I've been sewing, making cards, and learning how to use the camera that my daughter loaned to me.

Of course, this lady has kept my busy too.

Last night I made her pot roast and followed her recipe exactly because I am not known for my delicious pot roast. 

photo credit here

Holy Cow it was Delicious!

I need to run to the grocery today because I think I'm going to make this yummy pumpkin french toast this weekend.

Once the office/craft room is finished I will try to get some decent pictures for you.  (Shaking fist in the air, "I shall never craft in my kitchen again!")  Heading off to Home Depot to look at their butcher block again.

Holly

xxx-ooo

I'm kinda mad, or maybe not

UPDATE:  The world is a wonderful place full of beautiful people.  I went to the post office to inquire about the package confusion.  I don't have an apron stealing dolt living in my neighborhood.  Apparently, just a mail carrier that can't use his scanner.  It's on it's way to Florida!


I'm confused, and a little scared, and kinda mad, but mostly confused.

Remember the apron I made for my sister?

Well, yesterday I printed out the shipping label, put it in a box and set it out by the front door.  I went online to the post office and requested a pick up.  I went out for a couple of hours and when I came home the package was gone and a note was stuck in the front door from the mail carrier.  It was just a confirmation that my package was picked up.  (Or so I thought)  This morning I got up and found an email from the post office stating that the pickup was attempted but unsuccessful because the package was not found.

I re-read the letter that was left in the door and now I can't tell what it means.  It is a form letter with boxes to be checked with the status of the pickup.  My check mark is right in between "Picked up" and "Not picked up."

I think someone stole my apron.  Or maybe not.

So, Kelly, if you get it, I hope you like it.  It isn't great but it was the best I could do.

If you don't get it, then it was the most amazing apron ever and would have probably had magical powers that could have taken your cooking skillz to a whole new level.

I made this one yesterday.

I really love the colors in the stripes.

How sick are you of seeing aprons on this blog?

While I was sewing this, the sewing machine all of a sudden made this horrible banging noise and the needle broke and flew out and hit me in the corner of my eye.  I could have been blinded for life by a sewing machine.  I would have had to make up a better story though about how I got blinded because it would be just too dumb to tell that one.

I was cleaning the living room yesterday and I found this stuff under the cushions of the couch:

Could I have ever imagined this time last year that I would be taking a picture of the "trail mix" in my couch and posting it on the wide world web?  You're welcome. 

Went to the thrift stores by the house to look for some lace and rick rack yesterday (this is when the apron stealing dolt made off with my package...or the mailman).  I found this box of vintage Christmas light bulbs under a bunch of junk.  They were marked 50 cents and they were having a 75% off Christmas sale so I bought these for 13 cents.  I saw some for sale on Etsy for $20 - $30.  Score!

I really want a new camera.  My point and shoot is just not cutting it anymore.  Unfortunately, it's just not in my budget right now...and probably will never be.

She's so pretty, let's just look at her for a minute.  Shhh, looking, not talking.

Holly

xxx-ooo

Off to Florida

No, not me.  I'm sending this little cutie to my sissy in Florida.  I made it yesterday morning for her.  I'm also throwing in a few little goodies for her cuz she's a goodie herself.

Holly

xxx-ooo

Apron and giveaway reminder

Do you remember a while back when I went and bought all that fabric at Goodwill?  No?  Seriously, I told you I went to Goodwill and purchased a ton of sheets and pillowcases, remember?  No? 

See I knew I told you.

Anyway, I sifted through everything the other day and ended up making this out of one of the pillowcases.  It took me about 2 hours because my new sewing machine and I are not yet on a first name basis. 

Believe it or not, the second picture is not photo shopped to make my butt look bigger.  It really is that big.  I am a curvaceous full figured hunk of woman.  (Hear me roar?)

This little apron was fun to make and not too difficult.  I'm going to do a few more in the next couple of weeks.  Maybe I'll add a pocket (pockets are scary). 

Also, don't forget to go here to enter the CSN gift certificate giveaway.  The drawing takes place on Monday, January 27th. 

Holly

xxx-ooo