Series Line Up

Here we go!  Are you ready?  I'm excited and can't wait to share some ideas with you.  As I mentioned I was in need of a change.  So, I've been spending a lot of time lately on a little blog sole soul searching expedition. 

Here is what I discovered, or rather put to paper/PC that I want to better incorporate into the blog. 

I'm a vegetarian.  Have only been one for about 2 years now...ok, there were a few flexitarian moments along the way, but all in all I'm a vegetarian.  I really, really enjoy spending time in the kitchen exploring new ways to make vegetarian meals exciting.  As I've mentioned before my hubs can never plan on having the same meal twice!

I'm an eco-hearted person.  I strive to do my part to make the environment a little cleaner and better for the future.  Ok, not perfect here, but it is something I beleive in.  Now if only I could remember those pesky fabric grocery bags!

I'm a pet lover.  No more details needed here I'm sure!

I'm a sometime crafter.  Like to sew, hot glue and put random things together.  Also have a thing for making bags...hmmm.

Ok, there are a few more, but you get the point.  In looking for a way to incorporate all this into the blog I decided to try some series.  Sounds fun, right?  I'm excited about it, hope you are too. 

On the agenda...

• Veg it out ~ vegetarian recipes and healthful tid-bits
• For the love of... ~ kind of spur of the moment items on the love list
• Green Endeavors ~ ideas for being earth friendly and my journey to making a more concerted effort
• Scrap Happy Projects ~ now you know I couldn't forget about crafting!

There it is.  So lets get started.

Changes in Progress

Have you ever made a dramatic hairstyle change?  Like chopping off 8 inches of hair and adding bangs.  I've certainly done that..in the past, several times.  It has a way of giving you that adrenaline rush without too many consequences; the hair grows back.  But this time I've decided to keep my long hair (for now) and instead Nae Chic is getting the facelift.

As you can see some changes have already been made to the appearance of the blog.  I have some other ideas in the works so be on the look out.

Oh, and Mango turned 2! Have I mentioned she's spoiled...

Hope you have a great Easter weekend.

Breathing in

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"   

~Mark Twain

"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything."

~William Shakespeare

Spring has a way of welcoming you and bringing a smile to your face.  Take a deep breath and feel what spring has to offer.  The greens leaves refreshing, the aroma of jasmine and rose awakening, and the warm air inviting.  Spring in Florida has been here for awhile but for some reason or another it has just hit me.  Perhaps my northern blood still hasn't fully adjusted to the change yet or I've been too busy to notice, but I'm glad that I finally caught spring fever. 

As a kid I had a bedroom window that faced a large maple tree.  Each spring I would marvel at the thousands of leaves that would almost magically appear.  That new green, as I like to refer to the color, always brought a smile to my face.  I just loved watching the leaves grow on that tree. 

This past weekend my spring fever was in full bloom and I set out to the local nursery and splurged on a porch full of flowers and vegetable plants.  Now mind you, I do not have a green thumb, but I do have a green heart.  On my porch of glory there are some flowers mixed in with some tomato plants, a habanero, and some seeds of cilantro, lettuce and spinach.   I can't promise these plants a full happy life, so I am enjoying their potted goodness while all the plants are green.  Wish me luck in being able to remember to water and feed these plants!

Wish you a happy spring and I hope that you are struck by spring fever as well. 

Happy Valentines!

Happy Valentines Day! 

Make your own kisssing tree at http://www.kissthegroom.com/.

Enjoy and have a love filled day.

For the LOVE of Shoes

I may have mentioned a few times on this blog that I have a slight addiction to shoes.  Ok I LOVE shoes.  Especially those with heels.  Since my collection hasn't seemed to spill onto my blog I thought in honor of Valentines Day I would share my love, my love of shoes that is. You see I went shopping today and I scored big time.  Yes, four pair of shoes!  How exciting is that.  I really think at one point I squealed with a little joy while checking out.  And for the sake of my hubs, don't worry they all came from the clearance rack :) 

I don't know about you, but shoes are one thing that you don't have to worry about not fitting into a year from now.  True styles may change, but it doesn't matter if you ate too much during the holidays!    So, here are my new shoes that I've added to my collection today. 

Oh, by the way, I went into DSW to get some flats.  Somehow I walked out with all heels! 

Hope everyone has a nice weekend. 



Yes, I Crochet!

I do crochet.  Although I have to admit that it has been limited to potholders and scarfs.  You know those short, easy and simple projects.  I learned to crochet from my mom and grandmother back many, many years ago. Unfortunately, I still have yet to figure out how to actually read a pattern as I learned hands-on, which is probably why I haven't ventured too much further than a few comfortable patterns.  But, when I somehow managed to put my sewing machine into an emotional breakdown yesterday, I was desperate to keep my hands busy while the Super Bowl was on.  So, out came some yarn and a crochet hook.




Unfinished Afghan from 1990's! 

 

Since I don't know when my sewing machine will be in working order again, I decided to begin a small afghan.  The pattern I decided to use is one my grandmother showed me back when I was a teenager (say around 1995 or so).  I actually started to make an afghan way back then.  It is still half completed to this day and has moved with me each time I changed addresses.  I dragged it out last night to refresh my memory on the pattern, let me tell you this thing is HUGE!  No wonder why I haven't completed it.  I really think that it will fit a king sized bed.  Don't you just love the colors - these were my room colors back in the day. Perhaps when I actually get it finished they will be back in style again! 



Back to the current project.  Do you see a similarity???  I have to say I chuckled a bit when I realized how similar the colors are to the unfinished project from years ago.  Guess I still have a thing for teal and purple!  Go figure.  But I'm really focused this time on getting this one completed, which is why I am making it a lot smaller.  There is something kind of therapeutic about crocheting, with its rhythmic stitches and the feel of the yarn.  So, here is to keeping the momentum going to finish this much smaller afghan! 

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

One more

One more potholder to add to the collection.  Having so much fun making and experimenting with potholders.  This time I thought I would incorporate a recipe that could be kept close by, remember this special one.  With a little embroidery (which took me about a week to complete) I have a special, one of a kind, potholder to accessorize the kitchen.  For this one I decided to use my own handwriting as a guide to make a it a little more personal, however about halfway through I realized that I should have based the template on my sisters handwriting since it was her recipe.  Definitely will have to remember that for next time to make it extra memorable. 


And for the back I used some leftover scraps to create kind of a flower design. 

Enjoy.

Potholder Alert

Nothing like a little motivation to get some projects done.  If you haven't heard, there is a great giveaway being hosted over at Prudent Baby for a new sewing machine.  And believe it or not, there is still a few mopre days to get your potholder made and submitted for a chance to win; must be submitted by Feb 9th.  So here are some potholders that my mom, who is visiting, and I made.  A potholder adds some color to your kitchen, fairly easy to make and certainly feels great to get a project done in an evening.  Now back to the quilts!

Mixin' it up

My Mom's "Scrappy Happy Rooster"

Festive V-Day Potholder

Also, these fun potholders have been linked up at Creation Corner - go on over and check out other great projects!