2-fer today, please read on!

Just because I care...

http://hugnation.com/

See you Tuesday 1pm PST.

Quilting Fitzy

Yummy Sunday

I l-o-v-e to cook.

DH l-o-v-e-s to cook.

So I do my best to stay out of the kitchen.

I surrender to temptation about once a week, and today was THE day.

This is my Apple Dapple Cake recipe. It makes 2 loaves, and it freezes VERY well.

No, I still haven't found the "Celery Salt" ceramic that I'm searching for. There are several on ebay, I'm still watching for the specific one to complete my silly set.

One hour of cooking and the carmel sauce on top...yields:

Yeah, I couldn't resist to dig it outta the pan before it was entirely cooled, lol. This loaf is 1/2 gone (with the addition of coffee) and hopefully I'll get the second loaf in the freezer before we eat it. Suppose you could top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream, but we like it naked.

Apple Dapple Cake

2 c. sugar

3 eggs

1-1/2 c. oil (I use canola)

Combine above ingredients and beat well.

Add 1 t. vanilla

In separate bowl combine:

3 c. flour sifted with

1 t. soda

1 t. salt

Add dry to wet ingredients and add:

3 c. raw chopped peeled apples (I used Gala)

1 c. chopped pecans

Pour into 2 standard loaf pans, greased and floured.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Topping (make just as cakes finish baking)

Place in saucepan:

1 c. light brown sugar

1 stick butter

1/4 c. evaporated milk

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and boil 2-1/2 mintes.

Pour over hot cakes while topping is hot

Cool completely in pans before removing

Freezes very well.

Let me know if you try it!

Enjoy your day today~

Bluework HELP needed!

Of course, true to form, once I uttered the words, "I don't like redwork," I was destined to fall deeply in love with the next closest thing, BLUEWORK.

I collect pre-depression cobalt glass, so my attraction to all things blue is common knowledge. You know now...right? 8^)

I purchased this kit about 7 years ago while on a mini-vacation to Reno, Nevada. I looked out my hotel window and lo-and-behold, a quilt shop right next door!

The pattern is "Cottage Cameos" by Plumples of Idaho.

This is my first stitchery project of this kind. I've done lots of pre-printed pillowcases and never had the problem I am experiencing. I completed these 3 blocks back in 2000 right after purchasing the kit. Now a few years down the road I am motivated to work on it again. The patterns were all pre-transferred, and they are disappearing!!! They are dispersing into the surrounding fabric, blurring so I can hardly figure out where to stitch. BUT....that's not all, when I gently wash the blocks (I used a couple drops of dish soap-Palmolive) the dispersed areas are not washing out! If you click on "Baking" block for example, you can see a rosey glow under the stitching.

I have not pressed these blocks because I'm afraid the ink will set and I'll never get it all out. They have never been subject to extreme heat or extra moisture or anything, just all bundled together waiting patiently for my return. (Not even in a ziploc! I swear!)

So...what to do, what to do?

I need your help. Should I try Shout spray or OxyClean? Will that adversely effect the perl cotton?

Needless to say, I'm stitching like mad before I can't see the design any longer, but geez, I'd like to get it out once I'm finished, what a pickle!

Pool Horror Story & Log Lost Love

When we fell in love with this house in December, we were wearing our rose colored glasses. We didn't see a few things that we should have, I suppose we are not alone. In reality, ALL of our oversights would not have made dollar-one difference but it would have been "nice to know upfront", right? (Please ignore the fact that I didn't skim before I took the picture!)

We have really hard water. No, our's is worse, OH YEAH, IT IS! The prior owner did not put an effort into keeping the lime at bay and boy, are we paying his dues. We found a gentleman to use Magnesium Sulfate (epsom salt) to blast away the lime. We were ecstatic, we felt very "green" and epsom would not scratch our tiles. He quoted a logical price and began the morning we were returning from our camping trip. As we pulled up at noontime he was putting his gear away and said laughingly that, "He quit!". Hmmm, ok, we'll see you tomorrow? No, I quit. No amount of money could encourage his completion so we said, "OK, BYE..." and he left agreeing to accept no money for the 1/3 of our pool he had completed. He said the lime was too thick and he would take too long, and use too much product. Geez Louise, he did the initial quote in person. We did save $525 tho, lol...well, sorta.

We refilled the pool and went on to try to find someone who could complete our job. You can't leave a pool unfilled in our climate. Could.not.find.one.soul.who.would.complete.the.job. Oh crap, 1/3 of the pool looks STUNNING, the other 2/3 looks like above. And further, there is some type of sealant on the tiles (see the blackish stain), it's not mold, it does come off!

We were left to our own devices. We found a synthetic pumice stone (you can't use real pumice stones either, they scratch!) on my sister's recommendation and ordered 2 cases of them. You can see the blue remnants poolside. You have to scrub...and...scrub...and scrub. But goodness, they look better than the epsom salt application!!! One block cleans about 4-5 tiles and sands your hands while you're at it. Now if I could just scrub with my feet, hahaha.ew. And yes, we are gluttons for punishment. And OH, those bicepts!

OK, so I am now in the middle of yet another project. I tried (and previously posted) a paperpieced log in neutrals, and after 4 blocks, I think it IS A GO! If I had my druthers, the logs would have been smaller, but this is for a California King and the view from the great room is at least 20 feet away. This will be a s-l-o-w project since I'm nursing a bad rotator cuff, and begin PT on Thursday. Rian, your strips are beginning to creep in, the lower right has some! Thanks da-link!

Friday Flashback - The Haunted Castle

The city where I raised my three girls is a sleepy little bedroom community in Ohio. Smack dab in middle America. A dozen traffic lights, many churches, lovely park facilities, soccer fields, softball fields and one CASTLE.

This castle was built by hand, one “brick” at a time, beginning as Castle LaRoche in 1929 by Harry Andrews, a Knight of the Golden Trail. Harry died in 1981 but his legacy still lives on. One of Knight’s of the Golden Trail organization fundraisers used to be “The Haunted Castle” during the period around Halloween.

Halloween in Ohio is usually damp and drippy, on the verge of being downright cold. I do recollect one Halloween with a 7” snowfall and having to have soccer matches that morning. The refs had to slog their feet along the field markings to be able to make their calls.

Anyway, I digress. Lost in the abyss of my memories *sigh*

You would park at a nearby park and take a shuttle bus (aka commissioned school bus) down the very steep hillside to the castle which is nestled along the riverbank. This all contributed to the ferver of the hauntiness. They would let you into the castle just a few at a time and you would wind your way along the cold dank recesses being “boo’d” and “screamed” along the way…cold fingers raking your hair, chains clanking, scarey noises, the whole nine yards.

The girls became old pro’s after a few repeat seasons, it all became too familiar I guess. It was a “family event”, and we all would come away breathless and giggly. The girls still search out Haunted Houses tho, Cincinnati has their share of some “good” ones, yet I don’t think this certain fundraiser remains active. You can however, still arrange to be married there, schedule scouting overnights, etc., or just tour the castle.

Those were the days.

Friday Flashback - 1975 My First Car

In 1975 I received my first car, a 1968 VW Beetle. She began her life with me as a white car with black interior. Yes, yes, of course there's a story!

My parents divorced in the Spring of 1972. My mother and younger sister went to live with her my mother's elderly parents, my mother was helping with her mother who was becoming increasingly ill with emphysema. My sister was about 4. My older sister (by 10 years) offered to let me come to live with her and her family (dh + 2 children), so I did. A terribly generous gesture of my sister and her family, I need to tell her "Thank You" again.

I lived in Detroit 1972-1975, attending public high school. I graduated in 1975 and my sister and her family presented me with my first car, an adorable Bug! WOW! Can you say over-and-above?

Met my first dh in Sept of '75 (married 09/76) and he had a hobby of car restoration. He took my semi-rusty white bug(what doesn't get rusty in Michigan?) and made it all brand new and shiney candy apple red. It was a mighty fine looking vehicle and I loved that thing to death. (Googled the picture, can't believe I couldn't come up with ONE picture of my first car!!) He restored several other cars we had over the years...candy apple red. It was an "easy color to paint", he said.

My bug died a polite death(while on my watch), I locked bumpers with a brand new car on a busy road in rush hour. The bug had nothing in the front trunk, and it caved mercilessly. I stole her pride. I traded that car to my then BIL where it lived out the rest of her days, I never really wanted to hear the "rest of her story."

What was your first car?

Maybe? Probably? Hopefully?

My interviews yesterday were just plain fun. Now how weird is that! I guess when you are seasoned enough in job hunting, you can start to play your skills you've learned along the way.

I'm talking body language, etc. "Sit with head slightly tilted," "Look interested," "Let your hands rest easily in your lap instead crossed in front of you." I was amazingly calm, maybe because I am only looking for a job where and with whom I want to work?

The first interview went very well, I've heard from my last boss and one of my personal references, that they've been called and grilled. This particular position is a newly created position so I'll really be free to make it what I can. I like that! This department has also just moved into a brand-spanking new building; I like that too!

The second interview went well too. It's more of an accounting admin. job, and what I'm trained to do. I'll have to see what they offer, if they do...you are only allowed to take vacations in April and October/November because of work load. That sounds a little scarey.

I have an upcoming interview with the Bar Association next week, hopefully I'll have something in the works already and won't need to go there, we'll see, it's always an adventure.

Thanks for all your crosses and thinkings! 8^) I just knew you'd all help me come thru with flying colors. You're the best.

Make that TWO interviews Wednesday

OK, so now you have to get the neighbor, or the closest child or spouse to cross fingers and toes (with you) for me!

I have not one...but TWO interviews tomorrow at University of Arizona, one at 10am, one at 2:15pm PST.

These interviews are really important for me to nail. My dh is the most fantastic husband, and this is his chance for semi-retirement. He is anxiously awaiting to be the house husband, and he ROCKS at that job!!! Anyway, what I'm telling you is that he is thrilled to take care of us and our home.

Probably won't know anymore tomorrow night than I do right now...but I'll know I've done my best.

Thanks for supporting me in the wings.

And thanks Erika for the picture change. Pretty much what it looks like around here! You'll love it.

Job Interview & strip request

I am SO excited! Got a call back requesting an interview Wednesday, the 23rd.

Please send all your positive vibes, and cross those fingers and toes...it's a place where I REALLY would enjoy working. (Hopefully my grammer will improve before tomorrow!)

I had an interview appointment set for today with a cloth manufacturer. DH and I took a drive by the place last evening. Oh, I think not; in a very iffy part of town. Now, THAT would have been very cool. Looked tho like they contract it all out, as the fabric is all hand stamped. Not exactly the type of work force (nor conditions) I'm supportive of, but I was willing to learn more about the company before making a decision.

Sprouts are doing their thang in spite of my less-than-perfect method, and I've managed to make another neutral log block.

Would anyone be interested in swapping 2"x10" of WOW and beiges? Name what type you'd like back. I just really can't justify going out and purchasing little bits when we can shop at each other's house, lol.

Things are going my way - woo-hoo!

Wild Hairs

Talk about lack of FOCUS!


Now that we're getting settled a bit I'm getting more comfortable in my surroundings. I still have TONS of boxes to empty, but I'll get to it sooner or later. All that's left could probably stay packed, if you know what I mean. It's moved from house to house to house. Some objects like the ironing board have 3 or 4 moving stickers, lol.



So being more comfortable means, yup, you guessed it... I SEWED! I immediately fell in love with this neutral log cabin quilt made by Pam in CA . Yes, I've ordered the book. I just so happened to have some pre-printed logcabin blocks left over from my Christmas wallhanging so I thought I might see what I could find amongst my scraps. Hmmm...not bad! I think I'll try it in a smaller size tho. AND...who was I foolin? I haven't sewed in months, I made SO many mistakes, it took the "third try's a charm" before I could get going on the block, get the fabrics all right-side up and in the right position. Sheesh. (You should see the mess I left behind!)

Being more comfortable obviously means "more time to play", I tried yet another science experience. DH and I love sprouts, all kinds. Of course, I don't have the proper equipment, and don't have one iota of knowledge about the sport of sprout growing...so I was into improv. These are mung beans and alfalfa sprouts, doing their initial soak. Nope, don't have a clue what to do next, well I do, I just don't know how! Any input??

Lastly, I was the recipient of a lovely gifty from Nancy as a poster child to her 250th blog entry. How cool is that. These are the lovely fabrics she has chosen for me, and I love them!!! She didn't know I was used to be a musician, lol. Thanks darlin'.

Friday Flashback - My first 2 homes

First, you have to go check this blog, it's my dd#2. She posted THE FUNNIEST photo of my 3 girls you have ever seen. Her Friday Flashbacks just crack me up. Note the clevage and the location of the training bra.

Secondly, you may not think "My first 2 homes" is terribly significant. BUT...it's 2 of 24 (I think, I haven't counted again recently). I'm the product of an "entrepreneur" sales type father, we moved wherever the job was/would be/might be. I attribute my easy-to-make-friends-with attitude to my father. It was a blessing in disguise.

I'm noting these photos mainly because if I don't...these images will be gone, I don't have one single decent picture, so this will do. That stuff happens when you've moved as much as I have. Things once were "packed up" and never retrieved.

I've gotten the hang of Microsoft Virtual Earth. Wowie! You do not have to download anything, answer "no" if it prompts you to download 3D, it just isn't necessary. What I did is capture the screen and clip the picture, and made sure it's a jpg. If you want to know how, just drop me an email. Goodness, if I can do it...anyone can!

This is my first house, guess I would have lived there 1957-1962 +/- , it's in Pleasant Lake, MI. It was a lovely shade of Williamsburg blue, had a HUGE red barn (where that side bldg. is), but hey, I still see the chicken coop on the left! Must have been rebuilt, it just couldn't be a safe structure after so many years, lol. Outhouse is gone tho. It had a cinder drive, still can feel how it felt when I fell down, ouch. We rode to school in the school bus, I attended kindergarten there. Once the bus had to come all the way back to my house after delivering all the children, I had fallen asleep, missed my stop and they didn't know I was still on the bus! (My zzzZZZ's have gotten me in trouble more than once!)

From there, my father went on to be a cabinet salesman at a lumber company. That took us to the first house in Flint, MI. Now there's a charming town..um, not.

My house was the white one to the left of the red trimmed building. Our basement and the gray concrete building on the lower level housed a plumbing company that accessed from the front portion of the building. Our house was a duplex, we occupied the 2 story section, a nice young couple had the smaller single floor side. The red building was then the laundrymat, it's a bar now I believe. We used to be able to schedule events by the sounds of the distant automobile factory horns. If you heard it when leaving the house, you'd be on time for school, we walked the one block to our elementary. Flint is now just a shell, most of the factories are since closed and the economy is very depressed. The downtown structures are still nice and you can still get a Halo Burger with green olives, all isn't lost.

Thanks for bearing with me down Memory Lane.

For Sunday - To My Children on Mother's Day

To my children on Mother's Day:

I could not have nearly "as cool" without awesome kids like YOU! Thank you for remembering me on this day. I love you more than any words that could be written.

BUT... since I've never gotten the last word ... (and THIS is the way I tell you I love you!)

"What time is the game?"
"Do you have your uniform ready?"
"Where's your water jug?"
"Don't pick on your sister"
"Go brush your teeth"
"and have a good day today"

Love you, love your show!
XO, Momma

Friday Flashback - 1965

First walk in Space, Ed White 1965

My daughter Erika (my resident html expert) does a Friday Flashback. Thought I might join the fun.

My historical family was Mormon and settled in Toole, UT. I went to a family reunion in 1990 and met many terrific relatives I had corresponded with throughout my teenage years. We shared a family letter writing practice whereas each person would write a paged journal entry and add it to the stack of letters. They would take their old letter off the bottom of the stack, and send it to the next person. Probably the only legal chain letter in existance. Mind you, this was before the internet and having extended family across the nation made updating difficult at best. Now of course, we have blogs, but don't you still LOVE a handwritten note that the mailman brings?

OK, still with me?

Over the last few years I've tried to encourage my sisters to begin this practice of letter writing again, but I've had no takers. They are not computer crazy like me and are not interested in blogging. I would love, love, love to have their memories on paper as our parents are gone and memories are easily forgotten.

So here is my Friday Flashback, I'll take care of remembering my own!!

Port Huron is on the south eastern side of the "mitten shape" thumb of the state of Michigan. Lake Huron is the warmest of the Great Lakes, and by far my favorite.

The beaches are beautiful and summer weather is very moderate. Swimming is wonderful and in many places you can just pull off the road and get in.

During the summer of 1965 my parents, my younger sister and I went with my older sister and family (dh and baby son) to such a drive-in park to have an all day picnic. My father would barbeque, my mother would watch the babies (she preferred the shade), and the younger ones could pretty much have the day. We have pictures of my baby sister and my nephew (born with 2 months of each other) "swimming" in their baby pool (pink plastic baby tub) at the beach. "Baby sister" and nephew now 42.

My favorite memory tho, is my older sister and I sitting on opposite ends of a inflatable float, way out in the water...singing Girl Scout songs and such, at the top of our lungs. "Sippin' ci-der through a straw."

Very innocent fun, very important memory.

Under Construction

Please excuse the constant changes while I put a new template into place.
-Fitzy's Daughter, Erika

-

Because they need us...

A cyber friend of mine has issued a special request. Please hold Mom Melanie and Baby Mei-Ling in your thoughts for the next couple of days as a favor.

Thank you very kindly.

What your drawing says about you

What does your drawing say about YOU?

Well, I can't follow directions and missed copying the results!

Said something about a sunny disposition. check.
Said something about if things don't go my way I don't get to upset and am able to continue on my merry way. check.

Then I had a senior moment and goofed the whole thing up, lol...par for the course.

First Swim of the year

Summer is coming, I promise!!

We got to enjoy our "first swim" night before last, and again last night. By using the solar cover (a big piece of heavy blue bubblewrap kind of stuff!) during the 90+ days we've gotten the water temperature up to 83. I'll be glad when we don't have to keep hauling the cover on and off tho! The pool is a trapezoid, so when we're pulling the cover back on, one of us takes a huge risk of going back in the dunk! Someone gets the short end, lol. And altho this vantage point is cool, the pool isn't that big, it's only something like 30-35' x 10-12'. Fine for the two of us and some meager laps.

I've been working gradually on getting my sewing room into shape. It's hard work! We bought 2 of the wire shelf units, and I've completely filled those. DH will re-visit Lowe's to see if they've gotten in more, I cleaned them out. I think just one will do the trick. I wanted glass-fronted cabinets, but these shelves are more practical, I have ALOT of stash!

I'm back on the diet, and feeling better already. You'd think I would be able to remember how GREAT it felt to weigh 40lbs. less, but it must be like the pain of having a baby...I've forgotten...well sorta, lol. I've got a long way to go, maybe the pool will help with added exercise. Some amount is better than none, right?

So, that's all from my corner of the desert.

Have a great day!!!

World Placemats

I'm sure my kids will chime in here, lol. 2 of them belong to my "Frequent Reader Club". (Hint...if you come out of lurkerdom(even just to say "Hi!", you too can be a member! *snerk*)

About 20 years ago (can it possibly be THAT long ago?) I purchased a set of plastic world placemats.

Our family resembled Roseanne Barr's family on her sitcom...very noisy, active, and going every which way ALL the time. Three kids in sports and one or two exchange students living with us each year made it quite lively. Even tho we were running at break-neck speed, we managed to sit together for dinner most nights. OK, dinnertime was 9pm sometimes, after a game or two or three, but we sat together nonetheless.

We used to play a game before, during and after dinner to challenge each other on the hidden places of the world. "Can you find __________ ?" Yes, you likely needed a magnifying glass to find this obscure location, but that was part of the fun.

I guess we have more family traditions than I realize, what do you remember of your childhood traditions?

Do-Do-Do, lookin' out my back door!

Hope that doesn't get stuck in your head the way it has in mine, lol.

Eventually, my blog will have some quilty content, I promise. I have one commission to fill and haven't even started it yet. THEN, I need to do something for our new bedroom...right? It seems only fitting.

Meanwhile I've been knitting when my hands are empty. That is, when they're not unpacking boxes. I finished a pair of socks on Sunday, and promptly began the next pair, pictures tomorrow maybe. I'm still sock crazy, I don't know what it is about them! The needles are incredibly small, the yarn expensive and I can't wait to get to the next project. I seriously think I'm going to attempt a sweater next, I must be insane.

The solar cover is on the pool, we've gotten it up to 76*-woo-hoo...maybe this weekend???

OH! And thanks for listening btw, it's my 100th post.

I got to see the Gees Bend Quilts!

When I was in Florida between selling and buying houses my daughter told me she was "taking me to some museum or something." Later it was, "they have a bunch of quilts or something."

Graduation was Friday, so that left Saturday for a 25yo to entertain her mother. Off to the museum we tromped.

Oh. My. Goodness.

It wasn't just any museum, it was the Orlando Art Museum. I saw the vinyl banner flapping in the breeze yakking about the Gees Bend Quilts...oh, yeah, was going to miss that.

NO.
WAIT.
I'M HERE...IT'S T-I-M-E! I'm seriously going to see them, up close and FOR REAL!

It was awesome. It was humbling. I enjoyed seeing the quilts thru my daughter's eyes and opinions, and those of her gf. They crack me up. They went for the strong bold quilts, I went for the patterns and subtle styles. I had a blast, hope they weren't bored to tears! They certainly were good sports about it anyway. No "can we go now" requests.

Have to admit tho, the most fun was making our own little quilts with colored tape and construction paper. Thankfully, we were the only ones in the craft area.


Thanks Swany & Brandy, it was FUN! What a great surprise!