Christmas Wishes

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Memories

Not the end of the world yet, so time to keep living and enjoying life!  Thought this cartoon was cute.

As I grow older (which is not bad, when you consider the alternative), I have given thought to "stuff" that never occurred to me years ago.

One thought which I hope never happens is that I would be confined to a nursing home (or what ever the politically correct name - assisted living, etc.), what I would like people to know if for some reason I cannot communicate anymore.

As a child, I loved dolls and paper dolls.  My Mother apparently loved dolls as well because she always made sure I received lots of dolls for Christmas, birthdays, etc.   My uncle even made me a "doll closet" from an old TV cabinet one Christmas.  It was one of my all time favorite gifts.  It also qualified me for the "biggest" present that year.  My brother and I always seemed to take pleasure in receiving the "biggest" gift and he usually won, but that year won out with that doll closet.  As I grew older, my dolls disappeared and it became my shoe closet.  With shoes put in shoe boxes and nicely stacked within the closet.  Hmmm - now for the life of me, I don't know what happened to that closet.

Paper dolls were a pleasure to me as well.  I didn't play with them as much as I liked to cut them out.  Perhaps that pleasure led me to my love of rubber stamping and card making as well as quilting today. 

Back to my original thought:  I need to tell those I love that if for some reason I cannot communicate and you wonder what will make me happy.  Just buy me some scissors and keep me supplied with paper dolls to cut out.  I will neatly cut them out and put them in a box and be as happy as one can be in those circumstances.

As a reader of Pinterest I've been delighted to find lots of links to paper dolls which bring back those wonderful childhood memories.

This is a paper doll I recently found on Pinterest.  I don't remember ever seeing this one.  It is called the "Lucky Strike doll".  I'm surprised I didn't have this one as both my parents were smokers.  Of course this could not be on the market today because of anti-smoking laws, which is a good thing.  But I found it interesting.

Zentangle challenge #100, quote

"Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect and supreme experience if only one had a colored pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling." ~G.K. Chesterton


I always look forward to Mondays (I know it's Tuesday already), because "The Diva" issues a new zentangle challenge on her blog.  This weeks challenge is special because it is her "100th" week.   Here's my challenge for this week:

Christmas is only a week away and I still have some small wall-hangings that I need to quilt for my family.  But at least my back pain is relieved.  The shots in my back have finally taken away the pain.
I hope I never have to go through pain like that again.  Thanks to all who expressed concern.

Quote, Diva challenge zentangle, recipe, less pain

    I've been thinking about my blog lately and have decided that I will be sharing more of my happenings and thoughts than I've done up to now. 

Today it's about 60 degrees here in Indiana with a little wind and a lot of sun.  While I was out shopping I saw several convertible cars with the tops down.  I don't even have a sun roof on my car, but I did open the window. 

My back is feeling better after the shots on Thursday - hopefully when I go Thursday for another shot, it will relieve all the pain so that I won't have to have surgery.


Today's challenge is #98 by The Diva.  She challenged us to use the tangle pattern called "keenes" by
Donna Hornsby.  I like the pattern and in my mind I always think of the song, "Teeney Weeney Yellow Poka Dot Bikini" whenever I use that tangle in one of my zentangles.  Anyway, since the pattern is a round shape and I'm in the Christmas mood already, here's mine:

 

 

Since I am feeling better, I even decided to bake.  I looked through the pantry and for some reason, I had 4 cans of pumpkin.  Why?  Who knows but since they were so many cans, I chose to make pumpkin bread.  I searched through my file for a new pumpkin bread recipe because I haven't really liked the recipe I've been using. When I say my file, it's actually a big box with recipes from magazines, friends, family, etc. that I just knew I'd get organized.   Eureka!  There was a hand-written pumpkin bread recipe (in my hand-writing on a scrap of paper so who knows where I got this recipe.).    The results using this recipe is the best pumpkin bread I've ever made.  It's spicy, but not too spicy and very moist:

 

Pumpkin Bread

 

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

 

1 cup liquid oil (corn oil is what I used)

4 eggs

15 oz. (appr. 2 cups) pumpkin (I used Libbys pumkin)

2 1/2 cups sugar.

2/3 cup pumpkin ale beer (or water if you prefer)

 

Mix the above ingredients. 

 

Mix together :

 

3 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. nutmeg

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

 

Add the dry ingredients to the first mixture and mix well. 

Add apprx. 1 cup chopped pecans, and mix well.

 

Pour into two greased lg. loaf pans filling each 2/3 full.

 

Bake for 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

 

 

I forgot to mention, that since you use only 2/3 cup of pumpkin ale, drinking the rest of the bottle while mixing the dough could be a good thing (if you like beer  - I don't, so I'm saving the rest of the bottle for my hubby after he gets home from work).

 

 

 

Well, since the bread turned out so well, I've decided to make some chex-mix.

It's in the oven now.  I don't know if being in so much pain is the reason I've been so hungry this past week or what, but I've eaten every package of chips, etc. in the house. Honestly it's like I have a tape-worm.    Thus, the reason I'm making the chex mix. 

 

Hopefully tomorrow, I will feel even better and I will get out the Christmas decorations.  That will add to my festive mood even more. 

 

 

Quotes, zentangle and some pain relief.

Two quotes today and a new zentangle. 

Thursday I had my first injections into my back.  The Dr. said it would take a couple of days before I would know if the injections are going to relieve my back pain.  This morning, I woke up with a lot less pain than I've been experiencing.   Halaluja!   I'm still in pain, but at least it's more bearable.

Thank you to all of you who have included me in your prayers and expressed kindness while I was suffering with the horrific pain. 

Thanksgiving blessings, quote, zentangle

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
Oprah Winfrey

Yesterday was a good day - our Family shared a wonderful dinner prepared by my brother.  It was nice to catch up with the activities of our neices and nephew and our grandchildren.  And the persimmon pudding was delightful!


The Diva's challenge this week is to create a zentangle without starting with a "string".  The idea being to challenge yourself to design freely.   As I've progressed in the art of tangling, I've found that I really like starting without the basic string.  Especially if I want to try a new tangle pattern.  Starting with a pattern, then adding other patterns as I go seems to bring out more free motion style tangling.
More curves, etc.  Here's the zentangle tile I did for the challenge:

Thanksgiving tradition, quote, zentangle

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. For several years now, our family has celebrated Thanksgiving on the Sunday after the traditional Thanksgiving.  We found as our children grew up, married and had children that it was so difficult for them to divide their time between their "inlaws".  Thus our Thanksgiving celebration moved which has worked out beautifully because we get to celebrate with more of our family members and they come to the table "hungry" rather than stuffed with food from all the other dinners on the same day.   My hubby and I are just ready to get into the car - bringing with us the persimmon pudding that I make each year.  Persimmon Pudding is one of our traditions and I enjoy making it from my Mother's recipe. 

So from me to you - Happy Thanksgiving Day (again).

Happy Thanksgiving quote, zentangle

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.  ~W.T. Purkiser

A Framed Zentangle, quote

Cats always seem so very wise, when staring with their half-closed eyes. Can they be thinking, I'll be nice, and maybe she will feed me twice? 

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-Bette Midler

quote, quilt

Men don't care what's on TV. They only care what else is on TV.
Jerry Seinfield

This is a small quilted wall-hanging I made for my sister-in-law.  She likes cats and the color purple.

Diva Challenge #96, quote, life

Live out of your imagination, not your history.
Stephen Covey

The Diva's challenge this week is to use the tangle pattern "zinger".    You will find the zinger pattern in my zentangle tile below - it's the stems with the coil-like ends.

This is the first time I've posted in a couple of weeks due to the pain I'm experiencing because of a pinched nerve in my spine.  After several more Dr visits and pain relieving prescriptions which did not take away the pain, I had an MRI done.  I have several bulging disks and am now awaiting an appointment with a neurologist.  Like most Mom's who have given birth, I can withstand pain fairly well.  But when the pain does not decrease and continues on for weeks - well it certainly has made me tired and weary.

In order to put the pain in the back of my mind, I've been making another quilt.  So off I go now to get that sewing machine humming again.

Quote, Life with pain and a zentangle.

About 10 days ago, I was raking leaves, moving furniture and
doing other tasks that I had been putting off.  The next day, I woke with a pinched nerve and the pain was terrible from my back down to my ankle.  After a couple of days, I figured out the the pain wasn't just going to go away, so I called the chiropractor.  It didn't help at all.  After a couple more days
of terrible pain, my hubby suggested that we go to "Urgent Care".   Sure enough, he said it was a pinched nerve - gave me prescriptions for a steroid pack, pain pills and anti-inflammation pills. 
 After a couple more days, I decided to try acupuncture and found a chiropractor who does both acupuncture and chiropractic treatments.   

So after about a week of constant, terrible pain and several more treatments and daily doses of pills, the pain is still there, but starting to subside. 

The reason I'm writing about this is to enhance the daily quote I posted above.  The constant pain has led me to wanting to eat anything "crunchy".  Somehow my body is seeking relief through eating!  Which is entirely the wrong thing to do for various and obvious reasons.  The only good thing about this situation is that I go to the sewing machine and start making blocks for a quilt.  My concentration on making 1/4" seams does keep me from thinking about the pain.


.  Hopefully, the pain will subside soon and I will be posting more often.

Challenge 92, quote

"A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere."

Joyce A. Myers

 

 

 

 

 

This weeks Diva challenge is to create a zentangle using "stripes" as your "string" (guideline).

 

 

 

Miniture quilt for my new quilt shelf.

My brother made two quilt/shelves for me and I just love them! They are both 15" wide as I requested so that I could display some miniture quilts I wanted to mak.  Here's the first one:

Challenge, quote

Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.
Khalil Gibran

This weeks challenge from "The Diva" honors the Beads of Courage Program:

http://www.beadsofcourage.org/

Here's my zentangle in answer to the challenge:

This past week, I finally finished the wedding quilt for my grandson and his bride and they stopped by yesterday to pick it up.   But can you believe - I forgot to take a photo of the quilt!    Hopefully, they will take a picture and send it my way. 

 

Diva Challenge #90, quote

I missed out on last weeks challenge as I've been busy making a king-size quilt for my grandson and his new bride.    As soon as the quilt is finished, I will post it here

This is the "string" given to us by the Diva as the challenge this week:

Nifty hint for your kitchen, quote

Last week I found this hint for storing spray bottles under the sink.  Purchase an adjustable curtain rod (measure under your sink first so you know what size to buy), then hang your spray bottles.  Easy and organized when you need one.   I did this last week and it really does help.

I've been so busy making a quilt for our Grandson's wedding, that I haven't posted lately.  Hope you enjoy today's hint and quote. 

Source: littlebitfunky.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Prayer for Peace, quote, zentangle

Dear God, Please send to me the spirit of Your peace. Then send, dear Lord, the spirit of peace from me to all the world. Amen.
Marianne Williamson

Sept. 21st is International Peace Day.  The Diva's challenge this week is to create a Pinwheel for Peace.
She has further detail on her website - please check it out by clicking on the Diva's icon here on my blog.
As we strive for world peace, the entries this week are very touching.

Pie recipe, quote

Quote of the day...."Love your parents. We are all so busy growing up, that we forget their aging too. Don't take the days for granted and make each moment count."

When Bob and I were first married our house had a concord grape vine in the back yard.  My wonderful Mother-in-law not only helped me make and can grape jelly each year, she also introduced me to "grape pie".  The recipe was in an old edition of a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook and I try to make at least one pie each year; not only because it tastes so good, but it also brings back memories of my Mother-in-law.   I've discovered that most people look at me quizzically when I mention grape pie, and they always wonder how I get rid of all those seeds!                I encourage you to try one -  it is delicious.

Quote, zendala challenge

Challege, quote

	Morpheus: You have to let it all go,  Fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind.

This weeks challenge from "The Diva"


Weekly Challenge #86 "Break Free!"

"A traditional Zentangle begins with dots, border, string - and often times, the string stays inside the border we drew, containing our work to the inside of our tiles.


I often find myself enamored with those tiles that seem to extend off the tile - and  sometimes i forget that one of the wonderful parts of learning the rules when it comes to art, is learning when and how to break them.

This week, the challenge is to break free of your border! To create a tile or ZIA where SOME element of your work goes beyond the border and stretches or expands out, free from constraints!!  "



Here's two that I drew for the challenge:

Quote, Zendala Dare #22

This weeks zendala blank form:







This is my finished zendala:

Challenge 85, quote

Zendala Dare #21, quote

Today is Labor Day, the last hurrah of the summer.  We are so lucky to have the freedoms we have here in America.  Take time to reflect on your blessings.

This is my zendala for this weeks challenge:

Glass centerpieces, quote

For some reason, I've been thinking of Halloween lately.  Normally I'm not "into" halloween so much but this year - well here's some centerpieces I've done this past week:

 I cut off the top of the pumpkin when I took the photo - but you get the idea.  The centerpiece is made from glass bowls, plates and goblets.  The pumpkin was purchased at Hobby Lobby, and the leaves were some I had from last year.

 The witch was purchased at Gordmans Dept. store;  more glass bowls and plates.

                                                                                             I've revealed the third centerpiece before the decorations were added.  This one is made of glass plates, a glass vase, a glass bowl and a glass jar I had "saved".  The stuffed pumpkin and leaves were leftover decorations from last year.

Last, but not least is the glue I used to put them all together.    I purchased it at JoAnn's and it will glue almost anything - wood, glass, fabric, paper, etc.  I should purchase stock in the company before I recommended it because if you try it you will probably like it as much as I do.

btw, some of the vases, glasses and plates I already had, but the Goodwill store is a great place to find the clear glass plates, bowls, goblets, etc.  But don't buy them all, as I will want to make more of these.

Also, I didn't attach any of the decorations permanently as I will change the decorations around and on the centerpieces for each season.  I can't wait to put together some for Christmas.

They would make great gifts as well - I plan on taking one to my brother's house when we go for Thanksgiving dinner this year.  A nice host(est) gift wouldn't you say!

Challenge 84, quote, tangle pattern Dazl

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.
Luther Burbank

This weeks challenge from The Diva was to close your eyes and draw your "string" and create a zentangle from the string.  When  I drew mine (above) I finally turned it upside down before I "saw" the beginnings of a cart - and I went from there.  The wheels of the cart are my own tangle pattern called "Dazl" which is posted under tangle patterns here on my blog.

Zendala dare #20, quote

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. -  Mae West