A Haven for Vee

Showing posts with label gift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gift. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Sweet Domesticity and The Hodge Podge


1. How did you name your blog and do you now wish you had thought about it maybe another five minutes before hitting publish? Would you change your blog title if it were not a huge pain in the derriere? 

2. What bill do you least like to pay? 

3. What is your favorite word? Okay okay, calm down. How about one of your favorite words? 

4. Is the glass half full or half empty? Elaborate. 

5. Were you here for that very first Hodgepodge post? If so, were your answers then similar to what they are today? Tell us what was happening in your life in November of 2010? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

☕☕☕

1. I know that I had the blog and the post and the decor, but I did not have the name. I needed something. Yes, I certainly do wish that I had stalled before hitting publish. Say, why do you ask? I tried changing the name to "Life on Autumn Avenue." It didn't fly.

2. Is there one that is fun to pay? I especially loathe paying the $pectrum bill because I do not watch tv. I use it only for WiFi. 

3. Jesus—there's just something about that name. 

4. In the natural, I tend to be a glass half empty or worse kind of gal; however, give me some time with good music, a good sermon or prayer, and things change. 

5. No, I don't believe I knew about the Hodge Podge from the beginning. The earliest I can find is 2014. 

In November 2010, my family said goodbye to my grandmother who had lived to be 101. After that, she was eager to head home, which she did on my mother's birthday. I missed her terribly as she had been a big part of my life for over fifty years,  yet she is safely home and I will join her one day. 

☕☕☕




Why November days and domestic tasks seem perfect for each other I don't know. I have so enjoyed the light, the fading foliage, and the coziness of November. Some days, I go out to blow leaves or tidy the garden. Other days, I putter inside setting things in order. 

Recently, I received a lovely, perfectly Novembery gift from Mary at A Breath of Fresh Air. It was wrapped so nicely in tissue paper with a ribbon and a card tucked inside. Mary thoughtfully included some extra yarn and the yarn wrap to show me the brand and the name.

 Mary does beautiful knitting and enjoys having something to work on in the evening. If you have never visited Mary, you are in for a treat. Her photography is so good. You'll never see birds and squirrels the same way again. 

I had promised her that I would put on my makeup  when I shared my beautiful cowl. Unfortunately, I lied. If I ever get it together, I'll replace this. (I did run myself through the diffuser, Mary.) Thank you so much for the elegant cowl. 



Please join Joyce for today's Hodge Podge



Thursday, March 14, 2019

How Long Does It Take



Hi there! I am writing this post on Thursday evening around 10 pm. Not sure when it'll post. Let's find out together.



Or, in my case, it takes me all month to get nothing done. 






I actually tried posting again in February. The above three were my photo offerings, which I found waiting for me in draft on a post thrillingly named "February Thoughts." Obviously, it was to be my Valentine post, but other than that, I have no idea what my thoughts in February were.


Winter is on the wane. It was long and hard. There certainly were some beautiful days, though.

Right now, I'm hearing the steady drip, drip, drip of melting snow. Guess that means it's not freezing yet even at this hour. 



So I had the big birthday and these are my cards. I'm in the process of destroying most of the cards I've saved through the years. One can't take such things with her and I'm trying to make things easy on the kids. Shocking. But I will at least have a photo of these.


One of the cards held this photo of my grandson Sam who played basketball for the MidKnights. He is growing up fast.





This is a sweet book from Abby at Little Birdie Blessings. It arrived just this morning and I have very much enjoyed reviewing it. You can see Abby review it on her Instagram account if you'd like. Her account is not private so you should have no trouble seeing it. It is a special blessing to receive a tailor made book just for me.


Today, I finally made a grocery store run and a Mickey D run for lunch. There's been so much sickness that I decided to get some immune support in the form of these knock-offs of a well known brand that cost twice as much and have the same ingredients. The well-known brand used to have sorbitol as an ingredient to which I am highly allergic. The stuff makes me mighty sick mighty fast. I was pleased to learn that this does not have sorbitol and neither does the name brand these days. The Essiac Tea arrived in the mail from Amazon today. I am highly suggestible and when Mrs. T mentioned the tea on her blog the other day, I read with interest. You can read more about it there and I'll review it myself when I've had more than a cup of it. I didn't mind the taste, but that's all I can say about that.

I was just putzing along through the aisles when who should I run into...my sister. Now this is most unusual because she lives an hour east. I have not run into her while shopping in many years. I was so surprised. She had been stood up for a luncheon date and decided not to waste a trip so was doing her shopping as well. I said, "I'm free for lunch." She said, "I just had a Filet of Fish at McDonald's." So that is how I also wound up at Mickey D's. Told you that I am highly suggestible. 

My sister has been sick twice since last I saw her and was sick today with a cold. I opened up my gummies and gave her one on the spot. She said,"I take one every day." I said, "One? Three is what you're supposed to be taking every day." I doubt that I'll get her straightened out. I've been trying all her life. ☺


Lastly, in honor of Pi Day, I purchased this wee little lemon pie. I couldn't eat it all. I haven't been having too many sweet things lately. Still, it was mighty tasty and I enjoyed it. Did you get your piece of pie?





Monday, March 6, 2017

That Promised Chat


I am feeling about as chatty as can be...a week of being mostly cooped up in the house can do that to a gal. That's why I'm glad that you're here!

This, if you are not used to my posts, is going to yarn you all over the place so brace yourself and please help yourself to the cookies and tea.




Awhile ago, Judy of Cranberry Morning told us about these cookies. She calls them
 White Crackle CookiesWhen I tasted them, I realized that what I really had were my mother's Oatmeal Cookies. Not exactly, but very, very similar. My mom rolled hers in oatmeal so I used Judy's method and added oatmeal to the tops of some cookies.

Added photo:


~oatmeal topped~


Here's my mom's recipe and you can find Judy's recipe
HERE. 


Mom's Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup brown sugar
 1 1/2 cup flour
1 scant cup shortening
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Make balls and roll in oatmeal (rolled oats).

Bake at 375° for 10 to 12 minutes

The "excellent" may be wiped out, but they are a 
delicious, easy-to-make cookie.




Oh, wanted to mention that Gabby called out last Friday so my father didn't get the luxury of a goodbye after all. When my sister called me with the news Friday morning, they were feeling a little low. I decided to gather up some lunch and head for their place as a bit of a diversion for us all. I don't think that I've seen my sister since last fall.


Besides, I wanted to see the new sofa. Looks good, but I didn't get a photo. I visited for a couple of hours and then came home stopping by Hobby Lobby on my way. Those lemon slice placemats under the tea saucer were my score. I am eager for spring.



~fun fabric for a friend~

Made another bowl cozy and while selecting the Rt 66 fabric, I selected a few other fabrics as well. Who knows who may get a bowl cozy next. Ha!


 

Bowl cozies are something that I would never have thought I would use or like, but I really do. I enjoy being able to stick something in the microwave and being able to remove hot soup, chowder, oatmeal, whatever without burning my hands or getting a pot holder stuck in the food. I also use them when I am eating ice cream so my hands don't freeze...plenty cold enough without that. There are lots of tutorials out there. I use a combination of several.

~not a bowl cozy~


Then my Instagram and blogger friend Linda did an amazing tutorial on a sweet little draw bag called a "petal pouch." I have been wanting something easier for my makeup than a traditional makeup bag and had decided to make some sort of satchel that would open completely and allow me to grab my stuff because I am tired of pawing around. Anyway, this is how it turned out. I made it from vintage sheets because I didn't want to waste any fabric if it did not work out. No worries as Linda did a very thorough explanation of each step with pictures! Linda made hers with complementary fabric. You can find her tutorial HERE at MySewWhat blog. I think it would make a sweet handbag for little girls or as a way to present a gift. What do you think?


 ~second ribbon choice as first was too flimsy~
~my bodkin has seen better days~


 ~for my purposes a lot of ribbon was required~


 ~it works!~


Sheer Wisdom from butter London was one of my birthday gifts. I love this stuff. It is described as a "lush lip oil." 



That's a wrap...


I took a selfie wearing the lush lip oil, but decided against using it. Whiplash I don't mind giving you, but I am opposed to frightening you.


Thank you for the input you gave on my last post. I certainly don't want anything to happen to our happy little corner of Blogdom. If you have any ideas about ways to inject some enthusiasm or energy, please share.


A happy Monday and a good week. Hopefully, I'll find my way back soon.







Friday, May 15, 2015

Your Wish is My Command

You asked to see the shoes so stay tuned, I'm sharing. 

First I thought I'd share what many of you see at your own house these fine May days. To think I ever despaired of spring!


~azaleas blooming~
~bees buzzing~

~lilacs blooming~


~projects going~
 ~Skechers walking~

And, as promised, the 
shoes — Skechers. Marvelously lightweight and yet supportive. So comfortable I didn't know what comfortable was before. Aren't they adorable? (She asked with tongue firmly in cheek. ☺)

I know that I said I'd be back in three days and it has only been two. I just remembered that we'll be receiving our new-to-us living room furniture this weekend and there is much to do before that.

Have a blessed weekend, my friend!


Tuesday, March 31, 2015

MacGyver Time

Are many of us struggling for ideas today? Why even foogle is celebrating the 126th anniversary of the opening of the Eiffel Tower. Really? 126? You don't say.
 
My post is a lot like that and similar to last time. By the end, you'll be saying "Really? You don't say." 

This is my favorite series of photos from Palm Sunday. I could explain it, but it'll become obvious.





Always remember to smile when you see your favorite peeps!

Yes, he was fresh home from church with a palm in his hand. I like to keep the palm until next year. After Easter, I'll dry it out and shape it into a cross, if I can keep the cat from eating it. Fioré just seems to love it. 




Several times, we have found the palm frond in the sink after hearing a mysterious thud. Do you know what your cat gets up to when you're not looking? I just hope that the palm isn't poisonous.

Fioré enjoys watching tv. This is a photo from last Saturday evening when my daughter came for a visit bringing supper and a gift...more on that in just a bit. After supper, while Laurel and I were Pinterest Visiting side by side on the sofa, she stopped to take this photo of Fioré


seated in the cat bird seat! LOL! 

Moving right along, I know your time is valuable. This is the wee gift I received...


this cute little blue bunny. She wouldn't tell me where she got him, but relented when I said that you might like to know — Wal*Mart. ☺ The daffodil drawing is a gift, too, from Lorrie last year. I don't know if we'll see daffodils this year. Mine are still buried in snow. I don't think we had any last year either as this 
winter-hanging-on thing has been going on for several years now.



Last up, trying to get a table large enough to seat 7. Our table seats 6. The grands had put us on notice that they did not appreciate being seated at the little table. This is what John and I came up with yesterday: a slab of plywood on the table with protection placed between and a card table at one end with cookie tins to keep the floppy end of plywood stable. Hopefully, with enough padding, I can disguise this mess and make it look like something. I am paying careful attention to tablescapes this year.


Well that's it for today... I must move on to cleaning and shopping and preparing. Such a fun time when it's my turn to host Easter dinner. Do you have enough room for your guests? Do you have to pull MacGyver maneuvers? Is your menu planned? Feel free to tell me all about it!


Friday, March 27, 2015

Odds and Ends 3272015

It feels as if I have done that many "odds and ends" posts. Poor you!


First up, this morning's view...



and that after a night of heavy rain! I practically leapt from my bed this morning hoping to see it all gone. Guess the joke is on me.


The rain did not work nearly as well as this did a couple of weeks ago...


~and away those bankings go~


Last night as I was putting slathering my lotion on, I noticed a cricket on the windowsill. He was on his back, poor fellow, and flailing. Oh my. He seemed to have been half-eaten. 




Know anything about that, Fioré? Hmmm... 


Anyway, I grabbed a bit of tissue, dispatched said cricket, and tossed him into the waste basket. I climbed into bed and very soon the air seemed to be filled with the pungent aroma of cricket juice. Let's just say that I spent my night dreaming strange dreams; the story lines of which would rival any of those created for The Twilight Zone


Recently, I found a little book of James Whitcomb Riley rhymes. One perfectly reminded me of a little snowball eater I love.




Jakob has never met a chunk of snow that he didn't like. (Just look at his expression!) And, oh yes, he is often reminded of choosing wisely. ☺ 




The text came with its own perfectly sweet illustration, I just had one of my own.


Lastly, in the odds and ends department, is a simple envelope pillow I made for my niece's birthday from one of her old t-shirts. She had been on a tour of western Europe in high school. I thought she might find it meaningful and a map makes a great graphic!



She does like it.


Thus ends #3272015...have a happy one!