We're home! We went over the river and through the woods and down the freeway and over the mountain to get to the daughter's home for Christmas! It was a blast! This is their last winter in Idaho and so we thought we'd go there this year for a real live white Christmas. And boy oh boy Idaho did not disappoint. It began to snow almost as we arrived and didn't let up for the whole week!
We went visiting, and toured the area, found some good food and saw the wintery sights all around. We had a great Christmas day, boy can the youngest one cook! We will not forget our white Christmas ever!
Have a Happy New Year all! This year, has been a good one, but 2008 has some super surprises for all of us! Here is to all of you, may your journeys be great, your burdens light and may love surround you now and forever!
31 December 2007
1850 Miles later...
24 December 2007
Some sights around...
Baby it's cold outside! So snuggle up with a loved one, a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. Start a fire in the fireplace and enjoy the quiet goodness of home.
Merry Christmas to you and yours! And thank you! Thank you all for your kind comments and support over the years! I have made wonderful blogfriends and hope you all have great holidays worldwide!
19 December 2007
Best Christmas Gift ever!
I got it a little early. But it really won't arrive until the end of July. One of my daughters has announce after three+ years of trying she is pregnant! Yay! It is the best news. You see, each of my daughters have a difficult time getting pregnant. Every one of them! I know this is good news that we all are so happy about; it is a bit melancholy for the other two as I know they wish it was them. Still we are all ecstatic about this news!
In light of the news this morning about the younger Spears sibling, I don't get it. Why do people who really really want to be pregnant get passed over for a young girl of 16 who isn't married or emotional prepared to care for a child. I don't get it.
Still I am happy and can hardly wait for July!
ooooOOOOOoooooo Baby feet!
18 December 2007
It's Christmas time again.
Wow! It seems that time does speed up for you as you age. I remember being a small child and it taking three years for Christmas to roll around, and now! Now it seems to come every three months!
I have been crafting away, but not for show! Not yet at least. There have been some yummy fabrics and soft cuddly ones too! I have had more fun dreaming of new ways to use them and coming up with a few surprises! One I can show is the sugar plum pillow case I made for Little Miss. I am trying to do this every year for each of the grandkids. They'll have quite a collection of pillow cases some day!
This is the fabric I chose this year. Little Miss got one. The grandson is too small, his first will be next year.
Finished case here (just a small snippet of it though:
There is a poem that goes with them:
December the first starts a magical time,
With all sorts of colors, ribbons, and rhyme...
Sugar plum fairies will dance in your head....
If you put this special pillowcase on your bed.
The reason its special, as you will soon see
Is that it's been dusted with Christmas Fancy!
Visions of candy canes, Santa and treasures
Will fill each dream with sweetness and pleasures.
When the time comes for it to be washed
Do it quickly so no magic is lost.
13 December 2007
A few additions
I added some tins I found at Target. I especially love the hinged one! I also finished up some felt cone trees I've been working on. I got almost forty trees from four pieces of felt!
These line the mantle in the living room.
12 December 2007
We interrupt your holidays with this important announcement
Because I have a grandchild under the age of 1 this is important! Business Week magazine broke this story late this afternoon. I haven't seen it mentioned in the news anywhere.
If you have a child that has been given the Hib vaccination in the last six months you need to contact your child's doctor. It seems that tests are showing sterility problems associated with this vaccine in Pennsylvania. Contamination of some sort has occurred and Merck is recalling the drug. Over a million doses were given in recent months. The CDC is asking concerned parents to contact their doctors.
If you are concerned about vaccinations in general, this should really make you take notice.
11 December 2007
Look what been happening around here!
Go over to Food Chronicles to see the whole story.
10 December 2007
Stepping on a land mine
Yes, that's what this post will be. But I really don't understand this and maybe someone can help me out.
Why is it okay for Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton to go to a church and stump for their favorite politicians and it is not okay that someone like Mitt Romney (not an endorsement) can't talk about the fact that he is running for president at church?
I understand (like some do not) the separation of church and state. That part of the constitution was written to protect churches from the state, not the other way around, by the way.
What I don't understand is why is it allowed for some and not others? I don't get it. Maybe someone else does. Answers? I am not looking for a political discussion. I'm really just looking for a good answer.
08 December 2007
Corner of my home
Okay, this is the first area I'll share. I saw these trees in a 20 year old Christmas crafts book and had to make some. So easy!
Start with a few pieces of Christmas type paper in complimenting colors. They can be solids or patterns. Cut several circles in descending sizes. I started with a five in circle and cut 4, 3, 2 and 1 inch circles also.
You'll also need a 36" piece of doweling. 3 packages of wooden spools and some sort of base. Paint the spools read and white. Paint the base green. I didn't paint the dowel.
Then I wrapped a bit of tape around the base of the dowel. This is because the hole in the base is just slightly larger than the dowel and I didn't like the leaning tree I was getting without it.
Then I also put a little bit of tape on the dowel where I wanted the first piece of paper to stop. This is where the lowest branch will be.
Now you're ready to build your trees. Oh Wait! You need a star. I took some bright yellow paper and a snowflake cutter I had and cut the stars. One side just palin paper, the other with some double stick tape on it. That way I could get them to stay together at the top of the tree.
Now begin stacking your tree together. A piece of paper, then two spools. A piece of paper and two spools, descending sizes of round, of course! And voila! You have trees! Addyour stars to the top and you're done!
06 December 2007
Glimpses
Just a few pics of the crafting that is happening around here.
A forest of trees coming to life, some spools for another kind of tree, sugar plum fairy pillows, and a bit of pooh for someone special.
03 December 2007
Care package
And I mean CARE. In October I saw a post at Nicolette's that said she was hoping someone would have a certain fabric that she was using to do a quilt for breast cancer awareness month. She would be giving the quilt to a nominated person from her comments section who was suffering with the dreaded disease.
At first I was in awe of her generosity to make a beautiful quilt and then to give it away to warm another's life. Then I looked carefully at the fabric she needed and realized I had some that would match hers. I quickly sent her a note saying that I would send it to her if I could get her address. I received it and off it went. It helped Nicolette finish up her quilt and I was really glad I could help.
She posted the picture of the finished quilt and I almost cried it was so beautiful. Not just the quilt itself but what it represented . The giving of ones whole heart to alleviate the suffering of another. Nicolette truly understood the meaning of charity. It was beautiful and the receiver I am sure was touched by her gesture of love.
Then there in the fine print was a notice of thanks to those people who had helped her make the quilt. She specifically named a few who lightened her burden a bit while working on it and helping her to finish it up. I was surprised to find my name among them. Me? Why? I would have sent her the fabric not because I wanted the recognition, but because I had it and she needed it. That's what we should all be doing.
One positive thing my mom taught me was to be a giver. Not to worry about how you gave, or how much, or why, just that you did. Because when you live your life with charity, you life is enriched. It makes you a better person. I have tried to be charitable but I fail and fall short a lot of the time.
Nicolette, then surprised me by sending me a thank you package! Yes, I had a package from the postman today from Nicolette filled with the most adorable handmade bird. She must know I love birds. She also included two gorgeous pieces of blue batik fabric and some wonderful chocolate. Mmmmm. 
When I sent the fabric to Nicolette, I never intended to do it so I could receive a nice gift in return. That was an added blessing! What wonderful things happen in the blogosphere, if you're paying attention and are willing to share. The things learned as children really do work as adults too!
Thank you Nicolette. I cannot say it any better than that. Thank you for being you.
Another from the roof
Look out the sunroof and what did I see? Rain, rain, rain! Friday was a wonderful day! We got the first full day of rain in two years! I wanted to go outside and dance in it, but I was at a show and couldn't get all wet!
Everyone that came in said they had been praying for rain, and finally their prayers were answered. Funny in all the prayers I've said in the past few months I am not sure I have specifically asked for rain. Don't know why, just didn't. I'm glad someone else was though. :-)
01 December 2007
I did it! NaBloPoMo is done
Now the fun begins. The holidays are upon us and I've got to get crafting! I'll keep you poste don what I am making!
30 November 2007
Hot Chocolate!
Mmmmmmmmmm! No this is what I call a good example of some hot chocolate! It's the new Clubman MINI in the color Hot Chocolate. I configured one the way I wanted it and spent $25,000! Wow. Not sure I'll be ordering one this year, but man if someone handed me $25 grand I'd sure be tempted! Configure your own at Miniusa.
29 November 2007
Announcements!!!!!
When I was a young girl I went to camp. They would sing the song Announcements, announcements, annOUEncements! to get everyone's attention. Now that I have yours...
The new site is up!!! Finally!
3 Hip Sisters!
Yes, that's right. It is finally up and ready to go. There are a few pages that have yet to be loaded but they'll be up in the next few hours and days. Thank you for your patience, support, well wishes, etc. And a big thanks to my husband, the big guy! Without him I would never have gotten it done. There are still a few pages to load, but that will get done throughout the day today and tomorrow.
28 November 2007
NaBloPoMo
and creating a new site are less than compatible. I am driving myself crazy trying to post every day and stay at this pace. Not sure. Only two more days though. Then we're into December and it's over!
The only thing that keep running through my head is:
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane snow is glistening,
A beautiful sight,
we're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland.
But then I always replace the last line "walking round in women's underwear". That song cracks me up! What parody of a holiday song is your favorite?
27 November 2007
Tomorrow
Never comes does it! Well, I have 23 broken links to fix out of 6700 files on the new website. As soon as I've got those sorted out, I'll upload it and have a party! I am so excited for everyone to see it. It really looks nice, if do say so myself.
Other news. It is not even cold outside. The holidays are here and it would be nice to see a bit of cold weather. But alas, it looks as though it will be another warm winter in California. It's good we get to visit snow on occasion.
We went to look at lights again this evening ans I was surprised to see how dark it was outside. We have foreclosures all over the valley and I think the economic climate has just about killed the holiday spirit in this valley. While we were driving around it seemed that every block had at least two homes in foreclosure. Seems silly to me that in a down market banks would be so quick to foreclose. Wouldn't it be easier to extend the loan on the other end? It all about collecting interest anyway. Banks are not there to provide a home for anyone, they are there to collect interest or usury. It would seem the longer they get to extend the loan the better off they are.
I will never understand why everyone in the U.S. can't have the opportunity to own a home and get an education. We are killing ourselves by not working that part of our society out. Everyone knows it makes for a better society. I guess the real thinking is that if we educated everyone no one would want to work at low paying jobs. It is the same way with home ownership. When people own homes they are better neighbors, there is pride in their surroundings and it helps them to become self reliant. Instead we keep homeownership just out of reach for a lot of people. What a backwards nation we have. I read about a guy who pitches for a major league baseball team that just got a contract for ten years to play ball. He'll earn $270 million in that time. Crazy I tell ya.
26 November 2007
A few more days of random posts
Yes, I'm still uploading stuff for the new site and it is taking all my time! So maybe, just maybe next week after NaBloPoMo is over, there will be real stuff to post!
But I did see this quote at my friend Lisa's place. It reads: "Life isn't about surviving the storm - It's about learning to dance in the rain."
I like that. Iy kind of sums up my life. It seems that as I look down that road, there has been plenty of dancing. Yes, I moved out of my parents home when I was 17. Yes, I've been away for a very long time. Still, it has had an effect on me that is hard to shake. Mostly because every so often something comes up that reveals just another little something that explains and makes sense to all. But you know, the things we did really did make me the person I am today and I guess that is okay.
I just sometimes think the primary tune that was playing was Billy Idol's Dancing Madly Backwards! Ugh. I'd hate to think that was the theme song of our childhood, but maybe so. Mixed in, of course, with some Mitch Miller, some Eddie Arnold, some Johnny Mathis and a bit of the Beatles. The Beatles were our choice. Us kids. The parental unit didn't get the Beatles.
My brother had a record club account in 6th grade. His records came with a label that had his name on it as the owner. Cool. How many six graders in the early 60s got to do that. (I really think it was because the record company had been "burned" in the past and that's how he got it in his name, but then again another story sometime) By the end of his six grade, we had lived in two different houses and he owned every available Beatles album along with a few Beach Boys albums.
So I guess dancing came naturally to us.
25 November 2007
Now for some TV!
I have been working like crazy to get the site up. I have downloaded so many pictures my head is spinning! So now at 8p.m. I am going to turn my attention to the TV and watch The Amazing Race. Yes, I am still a fan and keep seeing commercials about trying out for the next one! Wouldn't that be fun. I would love a trip around the world.
But for now I will be satisfied to watch someone else do it. What other tv am I watching. Not a lot. Bravo channel seems to hold my attention better than any other these days. Project Runway and Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. Top Chef will return soon I am sure, in fact, I've read on a few boards that they are filming already.
And I am liking Journeyman. This guy is married and has a son and is a newspaper reporter. But in the middle of everyday life he just vanishes and goes to another date in the past. He usually helps someone right a wrong and then returns to present day.
I tivo most tv I watch so I can watch while I am doing something else. Not enough time in the day it seems.Forever the multi-tasker, that's me!
Is there any tv you watch repeatedly?
24 November 2007
Woohoo!
I am this close to having the new 3 hip sisters site done! It is going to be really nice, if I do say so myself! My husband sat with me yesterday while I gritched and groaned and got confused while learning CSS and web design. It is a task I hope gets easier each time.
I am proud of myself for being able to get it done. I am a learner. I will pound away at something until I get it down. Then, my habit has been, is to move on to higher ground. This design element though is something that should stay with me for a while. I hope so at least.
What things have you done that made you stretch beyond your usual limits? Are you glad or did you master it once and then moved on?
23 November 2007
Oh Holy moly!
I totally forgot to post something today until now!!!! I am getting ready for yet another craft/art show tomorrow. A festival of lights. It should be fun if the Santa Ana winds don't blow us out. Aaack.
You know the style test I did. Well, the husband (the big guy), I told him what style I liked and he disagreed. He was sure I love our couches we currently have. Of course I do. But, I like these better:
and
I love the leather. My grandad had a leather chair that I just loved. Nice. ANd the other? Just not in white. You've got to be crazy to have white when you live in the burbs.
But alas, it is not to be. So I will continue to compromise and have little corners around the house that fulfill my decorating angst.
22 November 2007
What's your design style?
I was reading over at How About Orange and there is a post that asks What's your design style? It then takes you to HGTV' site and you take the quiz.
I've always known what I like. I just didn't know what to call it. Unfortunately, my husband only shares a portion of my design style. Therefore I do not have the couches I would love love love! I have the couches he loves. And never sits on. aaaack. I can't complain though I pretty much have my run of the rest of the house. So we're happy.
This is what HGTV says my design style is. Hip. It's new, it's you. No overstuffed chairs or anything that could be described as froufrou! You're drawn to clean lines and a minimalist palette (think black, white, neutrals and a few bold colors that "pop" that background like orange, red or turquoise). You like your patterns graphic and your buildings industrial. The older furniture you enjoy are mid-century modern or stark Asian or pieces without any embellishment.
Wow. That pretty much sums it up. You should see the house plans. Very much as described. Now if we could rustle up a way to get to Arizona and get it built. Sigh.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
21 November 2007
Last minute shopping today
I drove to Elsinore this morning to buy milk. Yes. I drive forty miles away to buy milk. Because it is the best milk you can buy. The dairy is family owned and they do not use antibiotics or growth hormone on their cows. The milk is amazing! My sis who is a real milk drinker was amazed at the flavor difference. To me it tastes like whipping cream. I cannot drink a lot because of my milk allergies but every now and then I must have a small amount.
Well, that said while I was there a few people dropped in.
I couldn't believe my timing! It was a fun way to waste an hour. Watching the jumpers land again and again.
I didn't know that they jumped every day of the week. Maybe they don't and I just got lucky due to the holiday week. Either way it was fun.
Have a great holiday. Be grateful for the little things around you. Miracles are everywhere.
20 November 2007
Ah, Music
I love music. It always amazes me how quickly a mood can change with a few bars of music. Currently the big guy is in the other room composing a few riffs as I type.
I am looking forward to Christmas. We are big fans of piling in the car, cranking up the songs and looking at the lights. The last couple of years that fell off the radar, but this year I hope to reinstate it and enjoy seeing the decorations.
A favorite album is Loreena McKennitt's Winter Garden. It is a short cd but still worth it. I could play it over and over again. But then again I could do that with most of her albums. 
Another person I love to listen to is Steve MacDonald. His album Sons of Somerled is such a fantastic journey of discovery. He shares his search for who he is through the music of that album. It is fabulous. Amazon has it currently for download for only $6.99 (MP3 version). Good price and worth every penny.
19 November 2007
I am an activist
I got an email this morning from the Body Shop. It was a link to the new site in remembrance of Anita Roddick.
For years I had a shirt that read "Life is not a dress rehearsal" that when worn would always get comments. It reminded me, along with the death of my brother at age 32, that you only get to do this once and that life is too short to do things that make you unhappy. Life is full of troubles and trials. But that does not mean you cannot find joy in your surroundings. There is beauty all around.
On the site there is an about page which reminds you that "Anita traveled the world over amongst the destitute, the oppressed, the exploited and the condemned, but she never lost hope or stamina because she knew that there was joy and possibility in creating new, imaginative ways to make things better. She had little patience for those who said they were too busy to be activists.
"Then be a sittest! Sit at your computer and participate!" She knew that doing any small thing to improve a life, to right a wrong, brings joy to those who do, as well as to those who benefit. That's why she laughed all the way to changing the world."
Join me in adopting her mantra: "Do something. Do Anything. Just do something"
We can all choose to do something positive each day to make the world around us a better place to live. Smiles cost nothing. And it is amazing how a simple smile or kind word can make the difference in another's life.
Oh and if you've got a couple of spare nickles this season, just a reminder that Modest Needs is a great place to make small donations. They help people in need of temporary one time emergencies. Make a difference today!
18 November 2007
If I was a sculpter, but then again no...
We had fun last night at the baby shower. The pregnant one is so dang cute! She looks great and is hardly looking bedraggled at all. She's got three more days of work before her class goes off track. Then she won't go to work until after the baby is born. Neat.
So we ate and played games and saw a video and heard a song. The song was great, being sung by a dear friend and loved one. I thought it was a recording and then we all learned it was actually being performed live. A really nice song, just for the pregnant girl, that brought her to tears. She is such a great girl and love was all around her last night.
We played a silly game just after dinner. We were each given an unlined index card, a stick of gum, one of those flossing things you carry around for emergencies, and a duty to perform. Chew the stick of gum. Use it on the index card to sculpt a baby. Here are some samples made:
Well, as you can see there are many ways to interpret this game. Weirdest game I think I've ever played at a shower. The hardest part was giving up the minty goodness that was the gum to sculpt a baby. Winning entry, chosen by the pregnant soon to be mom:
I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do...Mine! Yay. I must admit I had just looked at a good bunch of pictures of my grandson. Thus - the spikey hair, which evidently swayed the judging tremendously! Thanks Jace! Wow imagine what I could do with some fimo!
17 November 2007
Oh by the way...
I'm having a little contest to show my gratitude to all you readers out there! Go over to the Food Chronicles to sign up and possibly win a book all about chocolate! Go. Now. You have until the 25th to win.
Read More......Saturday! Yay that must mean...
There's a party to go to! Yes. This afternoon I will be going to a big family party. Not my big family as mine is not so big, but still a family I am related to in a way. My nephew's wife is going to have a baby. A much wanted, and tried for baby! She is due in January but her sisters did not want her party to be eclipsed by the holidays so they decided to hold it a bit early. Fun ensues!
The nephew and his beautiful wife are having a boy and have decided on a Curious George themed room. Kind of strange because the nephew only has one fear in life. One. He is a firefighter, a specialized firefighter at that, and is a hero to many. If they only knew. He does not like MONKEYS. In any way shape or form. This should be interesting.
I guess when he says he can't get up in the middle of the night to change the baby, he'll have a valid reason. I'm sure my sons-in-law wish they were afraid of Winnie the Pooh and Princesses. ;-)
16 November 2007
Silly me.
I've been sitting here watching a tivo-ed latest episode of Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. It is definitely a favorite show for me. Not so much that it is fun to watch the snarkiness of reality tv. Not that at all. I just love the fact that the show is designed to help a woman learn how to dress to meet her needs. Not to meet someone else's needs or version of what is style.
I like Tim Gunn. But I don't like what Bravo is doing with to promote The Guide to Style. It's just wrong. 
How does Tim Gunn sign off on this???!!? What woman on the planet should be caught wearing this? What I'd really like to see is a classic french T with some sort of design that would say "Tim Gunn" with its style not with a big box and his name. Who wants to design the shirt?
15 November 2007
Playing for Pizza
I've been reading for two days now. Grisham's newest. I cannot resist his books. I have enjoyed the law topics and have especially enjoyed the two off topic books he's written. Not all of you will like Playing for Pizza though. It is based around professional football. His last foray into football was high school ball, this time it's pro-ball.
I think more than anything Mr. Grisham likes Italy. This book gives him a reason to pursue two loves. Italy and football, as the main character is sent to Italy to play pro-ball there. It is a quick read and something to take up a few hours reading and relaxing.
Now it's back to work. Tomorrow I'll get some glass in the kiln and then take some pictures. Then it's the new website to load. Should be the harried, crazy day I expect.
14 November 2007
I've been randomly tagged!
It seems my palm tree over at NaBloPoMo central has caught the eye of someone. The NaBloPoMo gang is passing around the random facts meme and I was randomly chosen because of the palm tree. Let's here it for the palm tree! Lilymania has chosen me to participate! Yay. I love new friends!
So here's the deal:
1- Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2- Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.
3- Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4- Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Seven random things eh?
1. I use the word random a lot. I get told by women my age their kids use it. I'm not sure to be glad I sound like a twenty something or if I should be offended they think I'm strange. Well count me glad I sound like a twenty something.
2. I never went to the same elementary school year in and year out. Sometimes I went to three different schools in the same year.
3. In fifth grade I didn't learn how to do the math to find the square root of a number. Totally missed that one!
4. In the fifth grade I was in the hospital for three months with rheumatic fever. Now every time I go to the dentist they want me to pre-medicate with antibiotics to prevent dental/heart problems. It doesn't seem like a good idea because of all the resistance building antibiotics have done over the years. And yes, I have a weird heartbeat because of it all.
5. I have the ability to to quick calculations. Give me a number and within a second I can tell you it's remainder from 100. Silly pet trick I know.
6. I love cats. Any size and color. Dogs not so much. I have nothing against dogs at all, I hope everyone has a dog and treats it well. I just don't have the stamina to keep up with one.
7. My favorite holiday is just around the corner. Thanksgiving is next week and I can hardly wait. I love that we take a day out of the year to be grateful. And most everyone does too. I wish everyone was closed on this day. Some grocery stores just can't stand that someone would have to go without for a day.
Well there you go. Random as it comes!
Now for the tags. Ummm. I'm going to do just like Lilymania. I'm going to Ning and see who I can surprise! Okay so I'm tagging Leigh-Ann,
Jennifer,Jack, Flippy! okay that's four. Any other NaBlo's out there want to play?
13 November 2007
Pre-Holiday Cleaning
I don't know about you, but every year just before the mad dash to get the house decorated for the holidays, I feel the need to do a deep clean. Today it began. I dusted until I was fully aware of my allergy to dust. Meaning, I dusted the entire house including all six book cases and the books contained therein. Ugh.
I then moved on to the floors. The house has hardwood floors except in the living room. There we have carpet. The floors are a bit slick from being cleaned and polished, I've heard from the other occupant of the house. Eeek! I hope no one falls now that the floors are really clean!
Next will be the walls and windows. I nearly severed my entire pinky finger a few years ago doing windows, interesting side note: it really looked like a raw chicken leg does when you pulled back the skin. I don't do windows all that often, but I will this year as my window guy moved.
Then will come the Thanksgiving decorations and after that the Christmas ones. I really wanted to make some handmade stuff this week. Instead home and hearth called and I am doing my best to imitate the little mice in Cinderella. Just cal me Gusgus. ;-)
Next week, ornaments!
