Life Is Sew Sweet ...: January 2023

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Snail Mail

The US Postal Service needs to get it's act together ...

I have always loved receiving mail. Letters, postcards, and surprises.

Recently, me and my sister have begun writing letters to each other again. It is definitely

a labor of love. Letters take time and effort, which makes them all the more special.

Where I live ... we are presently having a lot of issues with USPS mail delivery. As you can see 2 letters and a package sent to me from my sister (on different dates) all arrived at my address on the same day.

I received all of these items on the same day!

Monday, January 30, 2023

GRITS

As of late, my sister has been sending me food pics! Which is not really like her but recently she sent me a picture of grits.

Mrs. Roy's (my sister) Grits in a Cup

There is a place called, MacAdoo's, where my sister lives that has a menu item called, Grits in a Cup.

It is basically grits, cheese, and sausage.

I believe you can order anything in your grits in a cup ... eggs, bacon, and so on.

Anyway, every since she sent me that picture I have had a craving for grits in a cup.

Lori's Grits in a Cup

So, I decided to make me some ...

Actually just a bowl of cheesy grits with a little black pepper.

It was delicious! And, the perfect meal on a chilly evening.

Sunday, January 29, 2023

My House

My kitchen specifically ... my kitchen is my favorite room in my house.

Most who know me would think that my sewing room would be my favorite room in my house and although I do love my sewing room ... my favorite room is my kitchen.

I love having a clean kitchen. I don't have a dishwasher so during the work week, my dirty dishes tend to pile up. In this case I have so many dishes in the dish drainer due to cleaning out my refrigerator. I don't mind not having a dishwasher. Washing dishes in front of this window is one of the most relaxing tasks one could imagine. This window is one of the elements I love the most about my kitchen and about my house in general.

This backsplash that my sister and brother-in-law helped me create is another element of my kitchen and home that I really really love.

This splash of color is amazing as well as functional.

I love having a clean kitchen to putter around in.

I'm looking for a stool / step stool which made me think ... I wish I had the stool that used to be in my sister's kitchen on Hammock Trail. It would be perfect in my kitchen!

So, I sent Mrs. Roy a text ... and guess what, she still has the stool and it is now mine! Next time I travel south, this baby is coming home with me!

It will be absolutely perfect in my kitchen!

Yahooooooo!!!!!! I can't wait!!!

#iamaluckygirl

Saturday, January 28, 2023

Before and After

I'm really enjoying my new living room configuration.

After taking all of my Christmas decorations down this year, I wanted to place my furniture differently than the 2 ways that I have placed my furniture previously.

BEFORE - Right after taking the Christmas tree down.

AFTER - I love it!!! I love my home, it is perfect for me.

This configuration is so cozy, comfy, and very functional.

It is the perfect configuration for entertaining guest, this seating arrangement lends to enjoying conversation or watching a movie on the television.

So far this is my favorite seating arrangement.

#homeiswheretheheartis #wheremyheartis #ilovemyhome

Friday, January 27, 2023

Again With Aldi

I do go to Aldi occasionally to pick up these frozen mussels. My friend Angie, the dedicated Aldi shopper hooked me up on these mussels. They have 2 "sauces", one is tomato based and I don't care for it as much as this garlic butter sauce version.

This box is the perfect serving size. Angie and I enjoy having a mussels and crusty bread dinner from time to time, so I try to have a few boxes of these mussels in my freezer at all times.

Dinner with friends is always a blessing and a joy. Last week Angie and I had this delicious dinner. We played cards, a game called Kings in the Corner, had dinner and then made some of her famous homemade pimento cheese - the gouda version. It was a great evening.

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Aldi

Do you have an Aldi near you?

There are several in my area and I'm still new to them. I have a friend who is a true and dedicated Aldi shopper.

I'm a traditional grocery shopper, I make a list and I go to my local grocery, get the items on my list and head home. I don't dislike grocery shopping but it's not really my thing. I do however dislike the "BIG" grocery stores that sell everything from groceries to clothes, shoes, furniture, jewelry and everything in between. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to grocery shopping. I like going to an actual grocery store that only sales groceries, they have a deli, a bakery, and even a pharmacy and that works for me. The big box SUPER stores are awful! I can never find anything, they are constantly rotating inventory which makes it impossible to find anything.

Ooops, please forgive the rant!

All of that to say, I don't really go to speciality grocery stores like Aldi or Trader Joe's either. The other day I saw this post on Instagram about these salad prep jars at Aldi. Instead of going to Aldi myself, I asked my friend who is a dedicated Aldi shopper if she would pick me up two of these if she found them while shopping. The instagram post was older and I wasn't sure if Aldi still carried them or if the Aldi in our area carried them at all.

I am happy to report that I am the proud owner of 2 of these great salad prep jars. I have used them a few times already and they work wonderfully. A real bargain at $6.99 each.

I take my lunch to work every day and had been looking for a better option for packing a salad for lunch, these jars really are awesome!

So, if you do have an Aldi in your area, I highly recommend these Prep n Go jars.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Cats and the Christmas Cactus

My boy kitty, Booker, was making a meal out of my Christmas Cactus.

In evidence ... his teeth marks!

For the health and safety of both my kitty cat and my Christmas cactus, I have taken my cactus to work. I am presently nursing the cactus from the injuries sustained at the "teeth" of my kitty cat!

Booker could be the reason that my Christmas cacti don't tend to survive!

Booker ... a.k.a. CACTUS EATER

😺😺😺

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

2022 Haul From The Advent Calendar Gift

My Haul From The Advent Calendar Gift

This advent calendar is from Ann of https://www.stitchsupplyco.com

This is the 3rd year that I have received this calendar as my birthday gift from my daughter and I absolutely LOVE it. Each year this calendar has gotten better and better. And, it was awesome to begin with!

It is full of all things quilty and fun and useful and beautiful!

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

Monday, January 23, 2023

Enjoying Gifts Long After Receiving Them

It is always and blessing and a pleasure to receive gifts. It's especially a joy to receive gifts that are useful. Most of the gifts that I received this past Christmas and birthday were just that.

These gifts I have used every day.

This beautiful coffee mug and coaster.

Water purification system - Berkey

https://www.berkeywaterfilter.com

I no longer have to purchase bottle water and it feels good to have clean water and not contribute plastics to the landfill.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Sewing Room Goals 2023

Sewing Room Goals for 2023

You know how I love I good LIST!!!

For more than a few years now, I have had a "running" list of quilting and sewing projects. I enjoy keeping track of where I'm at with any given project. This list is also a place where I put quilting and/or sewing projects I want to make in the future. For me ... a good list ... helps me stay focused and on track. So without further ado I present to you my Sewing Room Goals for 2023 list.

2023

Things I want to MAKE

FEATHERS - Anna Maria Horner pattern, I want to use Essex Linen for the background fabric and straight line quilting. I’ve decided to make this as my Harry Potter themed quilt. Wingardium leveoisa
HAZEL HEDGEHOG - **Started this colorful quilt on 08/20/2022**
A Year In Solids (quilt book) - 12 quilts, all in Red/White

Quilts Completed 2023

Works In Progress

Moda Charm Pack x 4 - 72 x 72 - quilting, binding
Scrap Quilt 15 - Easy Patchwork - 72 x 72 - quilting, binding
HEARTS - 75 x 75 - batting, quilting, binding
Red/White Mugs - 66 x 66 - quilting, binding
Red/White Strings - 70 x 80 inches - quilting, binding
Quilt 18 - Batiks - 70 x 85 inches - batting, quilting, binding
Happy Camper Valerie Quilt - 55 x 55 inches - quilting, binding
Clean Your Paws Quilt - 63 x 63 inches - quilting, binding
Scrap Quilt # 19 - Scrap Bag - 45 x 54 inches - quilting, binding
Scrap Quilt # 20 - Tula Pink - 60 x 70 inches - quilting, binding
Legendary Quilt Kit - 62 x 70 inches - backing, batting, quilting, binding
Hazel Hedgehog - TBD - piecing, backing, batting, quilting, binding
Denim and Lace - 57 x 72 inches - piecing, backing, batting, quilting, binding
Churn Dash - Red/White - 06/16/2022 began working on this quilt
Red/White Little Red Houses - ongoing project
Red/White Abstract Orphan block quilt - ongoing project

Quilts in Queue

Jacob’s Ladder quilt pattern (Red/White quilt)
Dahlia Horse quilt blocks
Aviatrix Medallion - Elizabeth Hartman pattern 80 x 80 inches -
Dane’s Graduation quilt (the Lone Star) - in storage
Pat’s Air Force Retirement quilt - in storage
Gypsy Wife quilt - in storage (it is the Halloween theme)
Mermaid Quilt Kit -
Alpine Houses Quilt Kit -
Smoke and Rust Pumpkins Kit
Llamas Quilt Kit
Chill Cabins Quilt Kit
Color Wheel Quilt Kit
Anna Maria Horner Wheel House Kit
Fancy Little Foxes Kit
Wash Your Paws Kit
Denim and Lace Kit - started 09/18/2022
Golden Afternoon Quilt Kit -
(3) Mermaid Panel Quilts -

Red/White Quilt Collection

The Mugs Sew A Long - 72 x 75 inches - (quilting, binding)
Red/White Strings - 70 x 80 inches - (quilting, binding)

Sewing My Stash Scrap Quilts Collection

Scrap Quilt 15 - Easy Patchwork QAL - 72 x 72 inches - (quilting, binding)
Scrap Quilt 18 - Batiks - 70 x 85 inches - (quilting, binding)
Scrap Quilt 19 - Scrap Bag - 45 x 54 inches - (quilting, binding)
Scrap Quilt 20 - Tula Pink - 60 x 70 inches - (quilting, binding)
Scrap Quilt 21 - 16 Patch - TBD - (piecing, backing, batting, quilting, binding)

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Puttering

I'm in the "let down" phase ... that period of time right after the holidays. That period of time where I don't really know what to do with myself. I want to get back into the habit of reading my Bible daily. Taking the time to center myself and enjoy the Word of God.

This year, instead of resolutions, several of us in the family are doing a BINGO card of goals. Things we would like to accomplish in 2023. One of my goals is to knit 5 pairs of socks this year. This time of year is the toughest time of the year for me. I have to work hard at finding the joy in life ... instead of feeling like everything is a struggle. I'm coming to realize that puttering around, focusing on this or that for a few minutes here and there help me. I don't become overwhelmed and I get a few minutes to enjoy whatever it is that I land on in those moments. I'm hopeful this year I will learn to love myself a bit, forgive myself a bit, and take care of myself a bit.

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Livingroom 2023

Once all of the Christmas decorations were taken down and put away ... I wanted to try a new living room furniture configuration!

I love it! Having the couch opposite of the picture window breaks up the room and serves as a divider for the dinning room space and the living room space.

This room is going to get a lot more use now that it is everyone has a place to get comfortable.

I hope that I will have more opportunities in 2023 to entertain and I feel as though my living room is ready for guests!

As you know I got Booker and Jezebel new beds for Christmas.

Booker loves this chair so I when I moved the furniture around I put his new bed in one of the chairs.

Jezebel loves being the Queen of the couch, so naturally, her bed went on the couch.

As you can see both of them are very happy with their new beds and the new living room configuration.

There is even room for my rowing machine, when I moved out of the living room when I set up the Christmas tree. I've missed rowing while watching television.

Now it is time to get back on my rowing machine!

I love my home and my new living room set up.