April

Yikes!
I will try better to post on a regular basis for this month. These are strange and unusual times. There is nothing normal about it. And though I have more time on my hands right now, I have a hard time wanting to be creative. I'm working on that. I'm learning that it's okay to want to sit and cry, or be angry with what's going on, that I can't leave the house and meet up with friends or my mom. I just don't want to stay there. In the darkness and think there will never be light again. Everyday is it's own day. And I take it one day-at-a-time.

Like so many others, I have started making masks. For friends and family who have to go out for groceries or to work. Here's my prototype. I'm using whatever I have in my very low fabric stash. I don't have elastic and it's hard to come by, so I'm making fabric ties. Better for washing. Over time, elastic breaks down. My hair is a fright and so is this pic. Sorry about that.

I'm still working on my 100 Critter project. A bit behind on that. But here's what I've been doing.

I even pulled out a recipe this past weekend and cooked. Shrimp, farro, spinach (because when one wants to find Swiss Chard it's nowhere to be found), broth, Parmesan and Feta cheese, and I topped it off with grape tomatoes for a little color. It was so good. Next time, I will double the recipe. Made this in the crock pot.

And I put together a jigsaw puzzle because I love doing them. This one was a challenge but I got it together anyway. I wish I had some of these yummies to munch on.

I'm going to try to see if I can get a link in. I am now a published writer. My short story Ancestor Ghosts has been published in the spring 2020 edition of Sirens Call Publications e-zine. http://www.sirenscallpublications.com/ I'm on page 92, Wendy L. Barber. It's very exciting to finally have others be able to read my work.

Okay then, I'm off to get some masks done, keep drawing, writing, and get back to some doll making. Stay safe, stay home, we will get through this.

The Beat Goes On

Yes, it does. I had given up on posting on the regular until that holiday was over. I was getting more hours at work, so when I got home, I just wanted to eat and go to bed. But... it is over until the end of 2019. My schedule will get back to normal and I can do some serious creating. Got big plans for 2019. Still getting things sorted out. This morning I finally wrote my 'unfinished projects' list. Not as many as I thought there would be. Some will take a day or two to finish while others will take a bit longer. But I can still work on them along the way. I will have to. One is a roombox.

I have eaten so much stuff these past couple of weeks. Candy, both homemade and store bought; cookies, scones, did I mention cookies? Pie. Chocolate covered nuts. And then I was able to make it to my mother's for Christmas. She fed me. Ribs, mashed taters, and stir fry veggies. Yum! Stopped by my cousin's and she had homemade spaghetti. It was so good. I don't think I brought back enough as leftovers. Another cousin grilled (hey, this part of MI had no snow, not that that matters for grilling) and brought over ribs, chicken, prawns, and crab legs. So for breakfast, after starting back to exercising, I had pie for breakfast. The last of the bean pie. And lots of coffee. It will be difficult to break the sweet habit, especially when the roomie has it all over the house. My will is strong.

I didn't draw that much during the month except little things on the calendar that hangs on the fridge.

I made my roomie a pair of flannel lounging pants with little kitty cats all over. She loved them and the flannel was so nice, even after pre-washing the fabric. I hadn't sewn anything life size in awhile and I enjoyed it, so I will have to do more.

I got a really cool prop for some upcoming show. I'm thinking of making some creepy pumpkins and some skellies to go with it. It's kind of cool.

Having some tech problems, so I will post more later.

Halloween Party 2017

My wonderful friend Kristi and her husband Roark put on a wonderful party. So many cool costumes showed up. Kristi made her gown and her husband's uniform.

The food spread was wonderful as well as the decorations.

Wow!

After a week of errands, paying bills, laundry, and that goofy hurricane, I can finally get back to creating. Today I'm feeling a little bit sleepy and just want to chill out before getting the week started. I am allowed that. I woke up early and started writing. Maybe that's why I'm tired. But if I didn't wake up at 4 AM to write things down, I would have totally forgotten everything. And that was after I had just gotten back to sleep after a goofy bird started chirping at 2 AM. Seriously? He must have been blown off course and didn't realize what time zone he was in. I made a spinach pie this morning and just got it out of the oven and now have on a crock pot of beans. I made rice yesterday. So now I don't have to cook for a few days. I need a nap.

More of my 31 Days of Halloween. Pumpkin Kid is ready for bed.

Conjure Woman.

#31daysofhalloween #inktober

Talk Like a Pirate Day

It was yesterday and I celebrated by going to the local Krispy Kreme and got my free doughnut hole because I wasn't dressed like a pirate. But I did get a doughnut with skull and crossbones and a travel mug. So that was breakfast. Doesn't take much to entertain me.

Still Around

"Keep moving. Keep moving."
                         - Gimli

Yes, it's been that type of year. Keep moving. Never give up. Never surrender type of thing. Either extreme highs or very deep lows. I haven't given up though. Not after I needed a new starter on my truck or my laptop crashed or my vacuum in my studio broke. Yes, there's carpet in the studio. After dusting myself off and the power wash to get the grim, I got back up again. Slowly but surely I'm getting back on track. I finished up the last three of my first batch of mug rugs.

I got more Blythe dresses worked on and had a full work table. I got snaps on and will now add trim to finish them up.

And I met some cousins for lunch at Penny Path Crepe Shop. It was great catching up on just about everything and discussed the state of the planet we live on. Had so much fun and the food was good.

My writing is getting back into being a habit again too. Been working on expanding a fantasy story and working to finish the rough drafts of three short stories. Still working on the sketchbooks too. I've got a lot to do in them to get three filled by the end of the year.

Woo hoo!

What do you do when you wake up early on a Saturday morning and can't go back to sleep? Get your day going of course. Since today is supposed to be a scorcher in these parts, I thought I'd get started so I can be home when then sun really decides to make its presence. Along with his pal, humidity. We have slid past spring and landed right into summer. Even though I was born in the summer, I am not a summer person. I don't mind 80 degrees, even 90 as long as there is no humidity. Ha! Not happening. And, it's hurricane season. So, there ya go.

Got a few groceries. Wanted pasta with pesto, mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes. Then I headed to JoAnn Fabrics to get backing fabric for one of my mom's scrappy quilts, bias tape for the latest batch of mug rugs, and some patterns. My mom has been clearing out her fabric stash and sends it to me. I have fabric to make two pairs of Capri type pants and two tank tops. Because it's hot, humid, and icky, you go through more clothes. She even washed the fabric for me. Gotta love that. Then it was on to The Vitamin Shoppe to pick up some things for the body, The Dollar Tree (didn't have all that I needed, that's okay), and finally AC Moore. They were giving me bonus points in their program. I tell you, a ten dollar coupon at the beginning of each year is really nice to get in the mail. All before 11:00 AM.

The patterns were on sale 3 for $5. I picked up the hat pattern just because. Hey, Halloween is coming up. Be back later!

Update- No Pic Post

It's almost the end of the month. Unbelievable. There are many things happening this year. Along with building up my new longarm quilting business, I'm getting back to making dolls and making items to help others. This is my year of the Creative Juggernaught. So far this year I've completed more projects than all of last year. I feel pretty good about that but again, it's time to kick it up a bit. I still have this week to work on more projects to add to my list of accomplishments. I am also working on upping my blog posts. Sometimes I get so busy creating and working on quilts that I forget to do so. I will work to remedy that.

I love to hibernate in the winter. Lots of comfort food which means packing on some poundage because lack of exercise. I refuse to go out for a walk on icy roads and sidewalks. In the winter I just want to stay under a quilt and read a book. But exercising will commence tomorrow.

I saw that some people are working on projects to help others for Lent. In the past, I have given something up like food or drink or TV. I think I will work to make a project each week for the next sic weeks for Lent. At least two will be for others. I will let you know how that goes. I don't want the other projects to be something I've already started. Something new, I think. I will give a bi-monthly report at the end of the week.

Enjoy your Monday and week. Stay warm.

What Not to Eat Before Bed

Note to self: Do not eat hot wings, have a glass of wine and a glass of beer before bed. I did that last night and I had the craziest dreams. Do not believe anyone who tells you that we all dream in black and white. Nope. Not this gal. It was all in Technicolor with surround sound.

The Dream
I was in an office building and I started hearing gunshots. People were screaming and running. I ran out of the office I was in and saw a woman shooting people and a man with a very large chainsaw, like for very big trees. I ran the other way and up a flight of stairs to the end of a hall and into a room. Some others followed me. We hid in this room that hadn't been used in awhile because everything in it was dusty. The room was filled with old sewing machines and sewing materials, including some large shears. There had to be about eight of us in the room and we were all catching our breaths, waiting for the cops to show up.

The door burst open and in ran a young man in olive green polyester pants. He was screaming. He shut the door but the guy behind him broke through. The guy with the chainsaw. He ran in and started hacking up people. I looked around and no one was grabbing the large shears to throw at the guy. I ran out the door, poly guy and some others followed me.

We got down to the lobby and there was blood all over the place, but no bodies. I continued to hear gunfire. I started towards the door but it was booby trapped with a large homemade hand grenade, grey in color. Couldn't exit through the door. I told myself, "This is not the day I die." I looked at the windows and decided to break one of them. There were a couple of chairs around. A little voice in my head said that I wouldn't be able to do it. I replied, watch me. I picked up a chair and hit one of the glass panes. It fell out its holdings toward the street. Gunfire was getting closer. I ran outside with others behind.

Now, the people on the street were just walking around like nothing was happening. No cops. Anywhere. Then the lady with the gun, who saw us leaving the building, followed us outside and started shooting people. She ran out of bullets. I don't know what I grabbed but it was big and heavy and I hit her with it. She looked stunned, so I did an upswing and hit her again. She started to wobble and I hit her again and she finally fell to the ground. I jumped her and started shoving her face into the pavement, telling her not to move. Of course she wasn't listening so her face got more pavement. I told poly guy to grab her hands so she wouldn't get away. I had a knee in her back and looked up to stupid people just staring at me. I said, "Will someone call the f****** cops!" Finally heard sirens, then the chainsaw boyfriend came out and started slashing people. The cops arrived and shot him dead. The gun lady was trying to talk. She got more pavement to the face.

My alarm clock went off. I asked myself, what the heck was that? I turned the alarm off and rolled over to...

Dream 2
I was in a school. I had given a presentation earlier and I hear gunfire. I say to myself, 'Again?' I was starting to feel like John McClaine. There's a window with glass in the door of the classroom, about adult height. I look out and see a gunman, dressed all in black heading towards the room with me, a female teacher, and a bunch of scared kids. I tell her to spread the kids along the side walls of the classroom, away from view. The gunman came through the door, the teacher and I slammed the door on his arm, he dropped his pistol. I grabbed the pistol, he pushed through the door and I shot him in the throat. No use fooling around. A male teacher ran into the room and pulled the bad guy out of the way. We told the female teacher to take the kids and run. Half of them made it down the hall and out of a side door, when another gunman came our way. We told the kids to hide in the closet and the male teacher and I started pushing the desk and chairs in front of the door. The gunman broke the glass in the window with a rifle butt and started shooting into the classroom. The teacher and I ducked, didn't get hit with any bullets. The gunman pushed through our meager defenses, saw the male teacher, took aim. Before he could pull the trigger, I shot him in the leg. He went down. The male teacher grabbed the rifle and shot the bad guy in the chest. I asked, "Is that it?" I wanted to add, are you stupid? I then shot the bad guy in the face. Double tap. This guy was a terrorist, probably with a bullet proof vest on. I've seen enough Jason and Michael and zombie movies to know that.

I woke up after that because nature was calling. But what the heck? What does that mean? Besides the fact that I shouldn't have that combination of eats before bed. That my new business venture is off to a great start. That I shouldn't feel down because it's slow going right now. That it's not the time to be a victim but to go ahead, full steam ahead. That what I want is worth fighting for. That I can do it by myself but I'll get help along the way.

I told a friend (the one who took me out to eat last night) the dreams I had this morning. At first he wasn't interested but as I continued the dream (because it was so long, movie lenght), he couldn't believe it. Then I told him the second dream and he finally said, "What the heck was that about?" I said, "Probably to not give up on this new business, don't give up." Then he said, "Or you're tired." He laughed and said, "You're very tired so get back to sewing." Yep, that's a guy for you.

Yes, get back to sewing. I've got a Nine Patch waiting for me. Coffee is almost gone. I may need some more. So, avoid that food combination before bed. Then again, it's... Never Give Up, Never Surrender. Galaxy Quest.

Have a FANTABULOUS day y'all!

Happy Autumn!

It is the first day of Fall! Whoopee! I've been waiting for this day all summer. Ha, ha! I went to my local farmer's market and brought back some cool things.

Strings beans, spaghetti squash, okra, some hot peppers, mild peppers, radishes, handmade crackers with rosemary and dill, bitter melon, summer squash, tomatoes, and lamb sausage. For 31 bucks. Oh, I also got a lemon buttermilk doughnut. Would've cost more at the super market and I want to support my local farmers. I love the Old Salem Cobblestone Market.

Now that I have grub for awhile, it's time to get going on some projects and finish others. If you can, go out and enjoy your day.

Wine Flights

On Saturday I went with my gal pals to Raffaldini Vineyards.

This was the sight we saw as we drove up.

We had our wine flight of five wines, then we got cheeses, meats, and fruit. We sat on the patio overlooking the vineyard and all the grapes. The day was wonderful, sunny, light breeze, not too hot. Gorgeous.

The view of the mountains didn't hurt either. We laughed, and drank, and ate. Yes, we did have a designated driver. Oh, I forgot to mention the yummy chocolate.

Afterwards, we hung around to take the garden tour.

This is an Asian Dogwood. Can't remember the exact name.

The smell from the rose garden was so intoxicating. I wish I could've bottled it.

This is a huge lavender bush. That smelled wonderful too.

A nice little waterfall.

We had a great day. It was nice getting out of the apartment and being around other human beings with massive senses of humor.

Thanksgiving 2011

I do hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. I was truly blessed with being with friends, watching the parade, Purina Dog Show, football game (Packers won over Lions), Tanglewood Park for their light display, holiday shows and lots and lots of food.  The newest item on the menu was smoked mac and cheese (five cheeses) and green tomato and apple pie.  Oh - my - gosh!

Two kinds of dressing, cornbread and regular bread. Five bean salad, freshly made cranberry sauce.

Five cheese, smoked mac and cheese on the left and sweet potatoes on the right.  The mac and cheese was smoked in Joel's smoker outside.  The Butt Bros BBQ smoker.

The two birds were in the smoker too. There was so much food. Oh my! I forgot to get a pic of the desserts. Sweet potato pie, lemon pie, green tomato and apple pie, apricot bars, brownies.

Visitor From Up North

My friend Kellie is here in town for the weekend. She visits me once a year and we do the girl thing. I picked her up from the airport on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and I wasn't paying attention, so I missed the exit to the terminal. I turned around, thought to myself that this doesn't look familiar. I ended up at the departure terminal instead of the arrival terminal. Silly me. So I parked, walked inside, I went downstairs and there was Kellie waiting for me. Outside.

She was surprised that I had come from inside the building. We hugged and laughed and I told her that the day was so beautiful, I wasn't paying attention. We laughed some more, got to my vehicle and took off. We got her gear back to my apartment and I introduced her to some of my neighbors and their pooch Obe, short for Oberon. Kellie spilled the beans that she brought me homemade chocolate chip cranberry cookies. I said 'thanks a lot, now I'll have to share.' My neighbors didn't expect to see any cookies this weekend. I don't think introducing them was such a good idea.

Then we went to a new restaurant called The District.  I ordered two different beers that they were out of.  I finally got one called Red Oak which was very tasty. We had a southwest soup and spinach/cheese/blue crab dip. Wonderful!!! We also met and talked to the owner who gave us a tour. We saw the awesomeness of their wine cabinet. Probably not the right word for it but here it is.

Then we went to Walmart and did some crazy 'you know what' shopping. Kellie gave me an early Christmas gift. One of groceries. Two carts and a gazillion bags which will be repurposed into art. Kellie also met Maya. They started talk as if they had known each other, like since forever and it wasn't looking good for me. I mean, they were gathering info to gang up on me. It's all good. I've got my own secret weapon. *insert evil cackle*

Today we went to Cagney's and had a good breakfast for the long day ahead. We then went printer shopping to Office Depot, Big Lots, Target, Sam's Club. All the while experiencing Christmas... stuff.  Trees, lights, lights on wreaths to put outside, animated thingies to put outside, holiday dishes (some were very cute, I really liked the Snoopy on his doghouse mug and I may have to go back and get that), more lights.

From there we went to the Reynolda House Museum of American Art and saw the exhibit Modern Masters from the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It was very nice. I'm not a big fan of abstract art but I enjoyed most of what was there. And the flood of artist's names came back to me from when I studied art history many moons ago. I still didn't like the ones I didn't like back then. Oh well. We also took the tour of the house. We both loved all the huge fireplaces. It would've been great playing hide-n-seek in that house. There is a costume section in the attic and I found out that I can sketch the clothing that the Reynolds wore back in the day. They were tiny people.

We got there a bit early so we walked some of the grounds and this is what I saw.

Beautiful little flowers hanging on. It was supposed to be 60 degrees today but with the wind blowing and the clouds moving in, I don't believe it made it past the upper 50s.

This is the fountain (closed up for the winter) in front of the Reynolda House.

 This is the way to the garden which looked very lonely because all the flowers were gone and the leaves were being blown from the trees.

After the Reynolda House we went to SECCA. Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art. We enjoyed walking through the old Hanes house and then to where the exhibits were.

The main exhibit that was going on was called Out of Fashion. Artist and designers from across North Carolina produce works of art dealing with the history of making fabric, clothing design, how their history and the history of the industry impacted their work. It was a very unique and interesting show. Yeah, I got some ideas for dolls too. As if I need any more ideas.

By the time we left there it was getting late. We were tired and hungry, so we went to Sakura. A Japanese restaurant. I'd been there before with Maya and Amanda and had sushi. It was Kellie's first time. We had Japanese Egg Roll (crab meat, cream cheese, asparagus rolled and fried), Japanese Volcano Dip w/crackers (crabmeat, scallops and shrimp baked w/special sauce). Those were the appetizers. Kellie had the salmon and jumbo shrimp combo and I had the Kabayaki Bento Box. Yummy!

Kabayaki Bento Box: large eel filet in BBQ sauce, 4 pieces California roll, Vegetable Tempura and Seaweed Salad.

I also had a glass of Kensen Plum wine. Yeah baby! I want to fall asleep as I write this. It was a great day, with a great friend. We both will sleep good tonight. I have caught up to celebrating each month for the year.

BBB

I'm still going for fun things to do to celebrate my birthday each month for a whole year. I was invited to the BBB first cookout. Big Butt Brothers. A couple of guys who got together to start a meat smoking business. I've tried some of the meats before, they make their own sausage and then smoke it. They have a their first big gig in a couple of weeks and wanted to try out their super duper smoker.

It is huge and can hold a ton of meat. I don't know if that is the exact amount but you get the idea. They smoked homemade sausage, ribs, brisket, pork, boar, these wonderful bacon wrapped sausage, and I want to say venison. There was also a wonderful zesty cold slaw, homemade hush puppies, and baked beans. It was a success and oh so good.

Smoking is much better than grilling because you don't have to worry about the carcinogens in the dark parts due to grilling.

This back section is where the wood goes and the fire is stoked.

A better picture of the smoker that was made by the guys. It can be hitched to a trailer and pulled to bar-b-cue festivals and shows. When I first saw it, I called it a mini submarine. I had a great time.