Thimbleberries 2009 Month 7

Slowly clawing my way through this.  Really, that is the wrong word, since I am enjoying the process.  I’ll probably knock out Month 8 today and tomorrow (if I can shake this stomach flu that swept in at 5:00 this morning with NO warning.  Thanks, hubby. 

2 February 2010 ~ For Today ~ Simple Woman’s Journal

FOR TODAY … 2 February, 2010  (and I’m going to wring that little Ground Hog’s neck!)

Outside My Window… gray, cold, windy, lightly snowing

I am thinking… that  my Advil really should’ve kicked in by now.

I am thankful for… a warm, safe bed (every night lately, when I think of Haitians living in tents and shelters, I am thankful for this)

From the kitchen… macaroni and cheese (not the Kraft version LOL!)

I am wearing… black shirt, teal plaid shirt over that, black slacks

I am creating… piecing more on 2009 Thimbleberries.

I am going…  to see Grandma today after work.  It’s been too long since we visited.

I am reading… just finished the first installment of the journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery.   I may not get the next one; her last few years to date have not been happy ones, and for what I’ve learned of her life since, it’s not likely to get better. 

I am hoping… that my parents and grandma have safe travels coming up.

I am hearing… traffic, HVAC in the office, the clattering of keyboards.

Around the house… laundry.

One of my favorite things… getting something ordered on the Internet, and finding out it’s even nicer and prettier in person (this just happened a few minutes ago with an Etsy purchase!)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… can’t think ahead right now.

My Picture Thought … saw this on the Fiber Art Traders Yahoo Group… too cute!

New Jewelry

Haven’t beaded anything in a while, but a special occasion and a beautiful new lavender blouse with sheer cutouts demanded new baubles.  If only my camera would photograph my beadwork decently, but you get the idea.  The amethyst cabachons are so pretty in person.

27 January 2010 ~ For Today ~ Simple Woman’s Journal

FOR TODAY … 27 January, 2010 

Outside My Window… actually saw the sun and bluish sky today!  Of course, the price for clear skies is cold temperatures.

I am thinking… that I’ve this week has dragged out forever so far.

I am thankful for… a four-day work week.

From the kitchen… not sure. Probably leftovers…

I am wearing… sage green sweater, black top, black slacks and boots

I am creating… a little quilting, a little beading this past week (pix to follow)

I am going… to bed early tonight.  That 4+ hours of sleep last night is not working out.

I am reading… the first installment of the journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery.  Delightful so far!  I’m so acquainted with Anne (of Green Gables), and see such similarities, I often forget I’m reading of events lived by an actual person.

I am hoping… that my parents and grandma have safe travels coming up.

I am hearing… traffic, HVAC in the office

Around the house… pretty caught up.  Working on a plan for a cheapy facelift in our bathroom.

One of my favorite things… a four-day work week.  (I can say it more than once! )

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… wrapping up the month accounting-wise, a restful day on Friday

My Picture Thought … we had the heaviest freezing fog I’ve seen yet about a week ago.  Actually, we had it Sunday morning and again Monday morning, but Monday’s temperature kept the frozen mist in evidence all day; this picture was from late afternoon.

Six Months of Thimbleberries

It is a good thing that I decided to forego doing their club quilt for 2010; I have far to go on 2009 (and assembly of the quilt top for 2008, come to think.)

Anyway, having brought Month Six through with assorted complications, I thought I’d show this quilt to date

Month Six Blocks

Month Five Blocks

Month Four Blocks

Month Three Blocks

Month Two Blocks

Month One Blocks

What It Will (Hopefully) Look Like

:

Words To Live By

Cutting fabric is hands down my least favorite part of the sewing process.  I think this is my new motto (obviously from Craftster.org):

18 January 2010 ~ For Today ~ Simple Woman’s Journal

FOR TODAY … 18 January, 2010 (first post of 2010 and I remembered to change the year LOL!)

Outside My Window… dark now, but it has been a very gray, freezing fog day.

I am thinking… that I’ve gotten a lot done today. 

I am thankful for… the big three ~ faith, family and friends.

From the kitchen… pasta shells and a very meaty (sausage) sauce, veggies.

I am wearing… already cozy in pajamas.

I am creating… crocheting a little, working on 2009 Thimbleberries quilt.

I am going… to stop eating these chips!

I am reading… just finished Mrs. Pringle of Fairacre

I am hoping… that my parents and grandma find a suitable place in Florida to spend a few weeks; they need it!

I am hearing… traffic, the hum of this laptop’s fan.

Around the house… laundry, laundry, laundry (even doing the shower curtain!)

One of my favorite things… hot chocolate (not instant)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… auditors in at work, having a haircut Friday

My Picture Thought … saw this on Craftster.org.  Great job on the chair… I want the table too!

29 December 2009 ~ For Today ~ Simple Woman’s Journal

FOR TODAY … 29 December, 2009.

Outside My Window… white skies, white ground, road white from salt… all blech!

I am thinking… that sleeping kitties make me feel better on winter days.

I am thankful for… this lovely spell of time away from work.

From the kitchen… marinated chicken breasts on the grill; gotta get them soaking pretty quickly here.

I am wearing… still in pajamas, but I promise that’ll change shortly. 

I am creating… crocheting a little, working on 2009 Thimbleberries quilt.

I am going… to take my car in for service in a bit.  I hope they can track down that awful squeak in my console!  Horrible noise, and getting worse…

I am reading… Village Diary

I am hoping… that Dad and Grandma are feeling better soon.

I am hearing… traffic, the hum of this laptop’s fan.

Around the house… all is well. 

One of my favorite things… a sound, mid-morning nap.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… getting my car fixed, making some headway on a quilt or two, feeling kicking this virus to the curb.

My Picture Thought … I gotta try this!

A Twist on Brussels Sprouts

These little green guys are admittedly not my favorite veggie, but I’ve pretty much only had them ever served one way… steamed or boiled, whole.  So this recipe from Katie Brown’s TV show really intrigues me; I cannot wait to try it!

BRUSSELS SPROUT SALAD

Ingredients~

1 tablespoon butter
½ yellow onion, minced
½ cup unsalted shelled pistachios
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
20 fresh Brussels sprouts, leaves separated (just peel away)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (optional).

Instructions~

1. In a large skillet, heat butter. Add the onions and sauté until transparent.
2. Add pistachios and red pepper flakes and sauté about 3 minutes.
3. Toss in the Brussels sprouts and cook until they become bright green and slightly tender, about 5 minutes, adding lemon juice after 2 minutes. Season with salt and serve. If using the parmesan cheese, sprinkle over the salad just before serving.

1 December 2009 ~ For Today ~ Simple Woman’s Journal

FOR TODAY … 1 December, 2009.  (Apologies for being so negligent.  We’ve had a scary couple of weeks with my grandma’s health but things look much better now.)

Outside My Window… a sun looking way too low in the sky for not even 3:00PM.

I am thinking… that I am proud of my grandma. 

I am thankful for… skilled medical care.

From the kitchen… maybe stuffed chicken breasts.  Spinach and cheese or something…

I am wearing… an indigo batik-y shirt, black tank and slacks; necklace I beaded.

I am creating… now that my office renovations are about done, the sewing machine just returned to work today.  Can’t wait to get busy again!

I am going…  to get my hair cut in about an hour.

I am reading… French Women for all Seasons

I am hoping… I sleep well tonight!  Insomnia stinks…

I am hearing… our old dot matrix printer, printing out statements.  And nuthin’ else.  Goodness, that thing makes noise!

Around the house… don’t know where to start…

One of my favorite things… a new flavor of tea. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… dodging this head cold, getting my work routine back to normal after the disruption of construction.

My Picture Thought … found this in an old file on my PC.  I could almost taste summer again.  The “first fruits” of my first vegetable garden just this year: