Christmas Gift Giving Prep 101

 Christmas Gift Giving Prep 101

Homemade Vanilla

Several years ago I made homemade vanilla to give as gifts and it was a big hit. Since then I've been asked if I had anymore vanilla, so earlier this month I decided to make another batch.

As with the Cherry Bounce, vanilla takes it least 6 months to cure. This batch will be ready for Christmas gift giving.

Van Gogh

Van Gogh

I spent a wonderful day with my daughter enjoying and learning about Van Gogh and his art. Everything about the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is visually pleasing. EVERYTHING! 

 

 Christmas Gift Giving Prep 101

Candle Making

This is not an advertisement or sponsored post. This is only to reference the kit that I purchased to begin making candles. I chose this kit because it truly includes everything one would need to make a candle from start to finish.

I have never made candles before ... EVER ... but I really enjoy the process. There will definitely be more candle making in my future. 

End of Spring Cleaning - AFTER

 End of Spring Cleaning

AFTER

Decluttered, organized, and scoured clean.

Another project completed.

But now, I think I want to ...

Paint and figure out a different flooring option.

Off to YouTube to look into the Pros and Cons of painting vinyl flooring ...

It never ends, one completed projects leads to another and another and another ... 

End of Spring Cleaning - BEFORE

 End of Spring Cleaning

BEFORE

Until I began deep cleaning my bathroom as part of my end of spring, spring cleaning ... I didn't realize how much STUFF I had crammed into every nook and cranny of my bathroom!

WOW! Just WOW!!

I also realized that I have over time spent a small fortune on health and beauty products.

I may have single handedly kept this industry in business ...

Admittedly, I have put off spring cleaning this year until the last possible moment but progress is progress ... right?

Cherry Bounce

 Cherry Bounce

Holiday Cheer Prep

Interestingly enough when trying to live more intentionally you begin to realize that if you want to have something special for the holidays you have to plan and execute some things well in advance.

Such as the making of Cherry Bounce. There are many recipes for Cherry Bounce but basically it is fresh pitted sweet and/or tart cherries, sugar, and a liquor of choice. As I was also making vanilla at the time I used vodka. 

Combine the ingredients in an air tight container, I used a mason jar, and store in a cool dark place for 6 months. 

Come Christmas and New Years this Cherry Bounce will be used in one of our family favorites, Champagne Cocktails.

CHEERS!!! 

Halfway

June 2025

And, just like that 2025 is halfway over.

The first half of 2025 is 6 days from being behind us.

WOW ... just WOW!!

I have been busy and managing to get a few things done here and there.

I've been making things and checking a few things off of my lengthy TO DO LIST.

Stay Tuned for more on all of that ...

 

Anchors Aweigh

 Anchors Aweigh!

As it turns out I had another very nice day in my sewing room.

I had, had plans to go out of town that didn't work out, so I spent the weekend finishing the piecing of my current quilt project.

This quilt project was very enjoyable.

The process was very much like putting a puzzle together.

You definitely have to trust the process.

This quilt top measures 100 x 100 inches

Row by Row

Anchors Aweigh

Pattern by Tula Pink

**{see previous post for more detailed information}**

GO Navy!

 GO Navy!

Anchor's Aweigh!

As a young woman I served in the Navy ... fast forward a few years 😉 and I come across a quilt pattern called Anchor's Aweigh, by Tula Pink, which is FREE on her website. I knew that if I were ever going to make a quilt for myself it would be this one.

Well, this chilly, overcast, and rainy Memorial Day weekend seemed the perfect opportunity to begin this quilt project. I've made more than a few quilts over the years but I have never made a quilt that was specifically made for me.

I am using mostly fabrics from my stash but purchased the Freedom Edition fabric bundle by

Art Gallery Fabrics

I made this purchase via the Fat Quarter Shop which happens to be having a Memorial Day Sale if you are interested.

I liked the patriotic colorway but I also like the floral and geometric designs of this fabric bundle.

It took a bit of time to get the fabric requirements cut and sorted before I could begin this project but I was excited to get this quilt project started.

The piecing of these blocks is exactly like putting a puzzle together. 

This quilt project is going to be a fun one.

Work Space Upgrade - AFTER

 Work Space Upgrade

AFTER

Settling into my new work space and the new flow of the space has been a bit challenging but in the end ... change is good.

Or at the very least change can be good.

In my new space, my work flow is set up opposite of how it was set up in my previous cubicle. I am finding that the flow in which I process my work is a bit different. My phone and printer are on the left side of my desk as they were on the right side of my desk in my previous cubicle. That may not sound like a huge change in ones work space flow but for me it has been an adjustment. 

I feel like I am always looking around for where I have placed things, such as my stapler, date stamps, tape, and so on. That being said, I am finding a new rhythm. 

One of the things that I am really enjoying about my new work space is the amount of work surface space. I have plenty of room to spread out when I need to.

The quilt decor and the "blue chair" also came with me in the work space move.

Work Space Upgrade - BEFORE

 Work Space Upgrade

BEFORE

On Friday of last week I moved to a larger cubicle in my department to make room for more staffing ... easy peasy right?

Nope, not as easy as it looks, fortunately the gentleman in our IT Dept. moved all of the important things ... computer, printer, phone ... quickly, and he made it all look effortless. Which I'm sure it wasn't.

Now, it is up to me to move all of the stuff that make up my work life space.

The stuff that makes one's work space enjoyable and pleasing to the eye.

Comfortable if you will ...

Okay ... I'll be honest ... I didn't realize how much stuff I had in my cubicle until I started moving the stuff.

The new cubicle offers more space for getting the job done.

More space to utilize ...

And, of course, a quilt to brighten things up.

Stay tuned for the AFTER the move post.

Time Travel

 Time Travel

As we all know, time flies by ... one day you are 20 and the next you are 60! For the most part it is just the nature of things and I don't dwell on it too much. But occasionally, I see a friend I haven't seen in years or a picture that will smack me with the reality of just how quickly time goes by.

Case in point ... one photo ...

28 YEARS

Middle school, high school, college, military service, careers, marriages, and it has all happened so quickly.

Still Obsessed

 Still Obsessed

I do believe that red/white quilts will forevermore be my obsession.

This week, two of my finished red/white quilt projects were masterfully machine quilted by my master machine quilter and friend Jo.

This quilt pattern is called Bear Paw

A vintage quilt pattern that I had wanted to make for several years.

These blocks were made from red/white scrap fabrics from my red/white orphan block box.

Machine quilted with soft white thread in a continuous cat motif.

The quilting is so stinking cute!

I love it!

This red/white quilt is comprised of string pieced blocks.

The red fabrics are all scraps from previous red/white quilt projects and the white fabrics are all various shades of white to off white to tone on tone white fabrics from my stash. The machine quilting continues the diamond shape theme and it is STUNNING! I had originally planned to hand quilt this quilt but I'm so very happy I decided to have this quilt machine quilted.

I am so happy with both of these quilts.

Now to get them trimmed and bound.

For the last few years I have been making an intentional effort to use fabrics from my fabric stash before buying more fabric. I won't lie I have fallen of the "no buy fabric" wagon a few times but seeing these two quilt projects make me feel good about working through my fabric stash. 

Food For The Soul and Body

 Food for the Soul and Body

I'm not a very good cook. I know how to cook "home cooking", food for supper. I'm not creative or imaginative in the kitchen. I cook the things that for me are tried and true. Spaghetti, a roast and potatoes, meatloaf ... you get the picture.

This year I have challenged myself to make new dishes and to be more adventurous in my cooking and baking.

I just made the Viral Asian Carrot Salad and I am addicted! 

This salad is fresh, delicious and gets better and better as it marinates.

As this salad recipe is presently "viral" on social media there are a lot of recipes. I chose the simplest recipe with the least amount of ingredients. 

• 
  ▢4 large carrots
• ▢1 shallot, finely diced
• ▢1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• ▢2 Tablespoons soy sauce
• ▢1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
• ▢1 small lemon, zest and juice of
• ▢1 Tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• ▢2-3 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 
  

Speaking of home cooking ... my youngest asked me how to make fried potatoes. So, believe it or I made a video tutorial for him and text messaged it to him.

hahahaha!!

Just call me Julia ... 

Mother's Day Weekend 2025

 Mother's Day Weekend 2025

My kids always show me their love in millions of ways daily, not just on Mother's Day. That said, this Mother's Day has left me feeling so special and so loved.

I woke up to this beautiful card and gorgeous orchid.

My girl took me to a local tearoom for high tea.

The Kraken Cup Tearoom

For over 2 hours we nibbled treats, sipped tea, chatted, and laughed.

My girl crocheted the beautiful Kindle cover (upper right corner of this photo) and spoiled me rotten with wonderful and thoughtful gifts.

Our tea began with these amazing warm bread pudding bites.

DELICIOUS!!!

We were seated at a comfy cozy table with a great view.

We got to see all of the families and friends bringing their Moms in for tea and treats.

Black teas with savory and sweet treats.

We finished with Creme'& Fruit.

An absolutely wonderful Mother's Day and Mother's Day weekend.