Wednesday, 27 February 2013

I Got You Babe!

 
This last week and a half has been a bit of a blur....
We were on the road way more than I like to be!
We did finally get down to Traverse City where
our middle son lives with his family-yeah! We met our ninth grandchild and played with his big brother, Reece. Oh, what fun that was.
Now this is a photo of Samuel Brigam.
And this is a photo of his big brother, Reece.
Do you see the resemblance between the two brothers that I do?
The funny thing is that Reece resembles his
Daddy, Clayton!
I'm thinking this is going to be interesting to see who this little fellow ends up looking like.
Of course I had to do a little baking before we left.
I wouldn't dream of arriving there without any home-baked goodies!
I made Chicken Pot Pies, Apple Crisp, Blueberry Cheesecake Dessert, and Trail Mix Cookies.
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I do have to admit that I'm always a little deflated once we arrive home after visiting any of the grandchildren. The cabin is too quiet. I find myself
wanting to watch movies like Toy Story or Aladdin.
I spend way too much time scrolling through Pinterest looking for a new project, never quite finding one that revs my creative juices enough to actually begin work on any.
Then I get an e-mail from Jib Jab reminding me that I am a member. So now my attention is diverted from Pinterest to Jib Jab. Not good.
Anyway ladies, to make a long story short this is what a bored broad came up with to entertain her equally bored husband!
Don't be scared to view-I promise it's family friendly!
Have a great day-Kimberly
 
 

 

 
 



Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Note Card Party Time

 
It is that time of the month when Vee holds her Note Card Party. I don't mind telling you that the cards that I've chosen really 'rock'! Ha!
 
 
 
 
 
Please drop over to A Haven for Vee and check out the other 'rocking' notecards that the ladies have posted there.
Have a Great Day!
Kimberly

Ric-Rac and Chicken Scratch

While hunting through my sewing tote I came upon a treasure trove of
ric-racs that I had bought last summer while we were stuck in Haines
Alaska due to a landslide on the mountain side between there and where we were working. Wow, that was a mouthful!
 

What I really wanted you to take note of was the price on these trims. Can you believe it?
When was the last time you saw ric-rac for .15 cents? Were we even born then?
I'm not sure...
I had also found a chicken scratch tablecloth while up North.
It looks so complicated.
Here is a close-up view of my piece. I remember my Grandma showing me how to do this. It is really so, so simple. Yet it can dress up gingham and make it look truly unique.
amybarickman.com
Here is a piece that is really gussied up with ric-rac and twisted yarn. I am looking forward to trying this one! I just haven't decided what to make with it yet though.
Any ideas?
 It is saved on my Pinterest board under 'Sew Sweet' if you'd like to re-pin it. I try to keep adding to my boards whenever I see something interesting, which is whenever I happen to visit someone elses Pinterest site!
primrosedesign.blogspot.ca/2009/09

This piece appears to be a bit more complicated. If you want to see several pattern ideas just search'chicken scratch' images. There are so many photos of several lovely pieces and patterns to try.
I hope I've inspired you to do a little scratching of your own now!
Blessings-Kimberly




Monday, 18 February 2013

Goodbye Matthew

 
Oh, why do they do this to us? They get us hooked on a character, then at the
pinnacle of all happiness, they pull the rug right out from under our feet!
Matthew's dead.
From the very beginning of Downtown Abbey the main story line for me has been the relationship between Matthew and Mary. We watched them go through a very rocky start. We watched as Mary realized she was in love with Matthew, but he was committed to another.
 
We finally saw them happily married , worrying then about whether they would pull together as a couple to see it through the financial problems facing Downtown Abbey.
They did and everything was going beautifully, especially with the birth of their sweet son and heir. Then death, Matthew's death, and it's all over.
I have to admit I was all set to blame Julian Fellows, the writer and creator of this series, but upon research I discovered that it was Dan Stevens (Matthew),
the actor himself who wanted to leave Downtown Abbey. Well, I'm crushed, as I know many of you are. Oh,  I realize life must go on.
However, I am not committing to watching Downtown Abbey next season. I just can't imagine it being the same without our beloved Matthew........
Can you?
 


Thursday, 14 February 2013

Happy Valentines Day


 
I hope you're having a special day today with someone you love! I am!
I'm remembering the days over 40 years ago when my husband and I were dating. For fun I made a love letter out of those heart shaped candies.
We did keep the original letter for years, but it got placed in a box in an old shed where some lucky mice enjoyed a sweet Valentine treat one day, along with two of my favorite dollies eyelashes! But I digress, that is a story for another day.....
 
So last year I made a new version for my husband.
Notice how the lingo has changed? Believe me, I wouldn't have been calling a boy I was dating 'sweet lips' or 'honey pie'! But it was a lot of fun to put together and Tim really got a kick out of it the second time around too.
Here's a preview of my latest project. Anyone want to guess what it is that I working on now? I sincerely hope to be able to show you the finished product by Monday!
 
I know some of you are cozying in with your books or your movies.  I have a tradition that as soon as the snow starts to pile I read Laura Ingalls, 'The Long Winter'. It just seems so appropriate when I'm shut-in (by choice, of course) and it always gives me such an appreciation for all the many blessings I have today!
 
I thought this was going to be a short post and here I've been such a windbag. Sorry.....
Please enjoy your Day-Kimberly

 


Monday, 11 February 2013

Are You a Re-Gifter?

  Re-Gifter?
Now I want you to be honest ladies. Tell me the truth! Have you ever received a gift that you knew you would never use and turned around and re-gifted it to someone else?
Well, I have. It's not that I'm cheap, I swear. It's just that if I don't have any need for a gift and I think someone else would love it why not give it to the person who would appreciate it more.
However, I would never give away a gift that was given to me by family or a friend whose feelings might be hurt by my re-gifting!
Don't ask me why I'm asking all these intrusive questions. I can only guess it's because I just get to wondering if I'm the only person on earth who does things the way I do.
Which leads me to my next question....
Have you ever gifted a person from a item you have purchased at a re-sale or second hand shop?
I stand guilty again. And why not I ask you? I have honestly found some of the most unique gifts in these shops!
Or, like the mixing bowl above, I've found new or like new items, that would make nice gifts for a shower or a friend who just happens to love red.
Okay, please tell me I'm not a freak or the chintziest
person in the world. Or worse, a person that operates in very poor taste.
If you have time, give an example of  your re-gifting. We'll all have a laugh together.
If you've ever done it, that is!
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I am joining the following Parties today:



Friday, 8 February 2013

Winter on the Gitche Gumee

 
Excerpt from Longfellow's 'The Song of Hiawatha'
 
By the shores of Gitche Gumee,
By the shining big sea water,
 Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,
Dark behind it rose the forest,
Rose the black and gloomy pine trees,
Rose the firs with cones upon them;
Bright before it beat the water,
Beat the clear and sunny water,
Beat the shining big sea water.
Oh, it is so good to be home to my Gitche Gumee.
As many of you know I've just returned home from laying my Mother to rest. She passed in less than two months of my Father. Hard, yes.  I will miss her. It is such a blessing though to know she is happy now with Dad and that she went peaceably in her sleep.
After traveling for the last 25 years, two and three times a year to visit my folks, I informed my brothers and sisters it was now their turn to come and see me. I believe they understood completely.
I feel with Mom and Dad gone a chapter in my book of life has now ended. I don't really know any other way to describe it. I'm sure if you've lost both of your parents you'll understand what I'm trying to express.
My feelings are like the ice out in front of our house here on the lake-all jumbled and fighting against each other.

One minute I'm praising the Lord that they are now spending their time in eternity and that they went home without suffering. Then the next minute I'm crying because I'll never hear my Dad call me "Kimmie girl" again or be enveloped in one of Mom's welcoming hugs ever again. At least not until we are all reunited in heaven.
I know that as the sun melts the icicles, in time my pain will too melt away and then I will be left with just the many good memories. Until then I'll accept my tears as cleansing and healing....
Thank you to all of you who sent your kind sympathies and words of comfort. They were much appreciated and heartfelt.
Blessings to all-Kimberly






Saturday, 2 February 2013

I'm a Winner

  First I want to say 'Thank You' for all of your kind words of sympathy. Your words truly touched my heart. And it does bring comfort to know others are thinking of you. I know so many of you have traveled this road yourselves or are near to this journey with your own parents.
This week, of course, will be filled with much time on the road and time spent with family so I will be absent for a while, My friends. But I will be back to visit as soon as I can. You know I just hate it when something happens and I miss it!
 
I can't leave without saying "Thank You" to Suzi
for this beautiful vintage lace collage she's designed. I won it in her drawing! Yes, you heard me right. I won something!
 If you click on her name it will link to her site where she has many more lace collages and  lovely quilts she has designed for sale.
I already have a special place chosen for Suzi's gift when it arrives all the way from Austrailia.
Thanks again, Suzi!
 

Together Again

 
Friday my Mother went home to be with the Lord and to join her beloved husband.
 As many of you know my Father passed away on Dec. 10th and Mom wanted only to follow him quickly.
She woke my SIL at 4AM and they sat together holding hands. She said Mom looked over at my Dad's empty bed and cryed, "Oh, Ed-Oh, Ed". She would say this when she longed for Dad. As you can imagine, it just broke my heart to hear her cry out for him like this.
My Sil checked on her hourly as she slept, then at noon when she checked, she'd found she had passed.
I'm rejoicing that she is with the Lord and my Dad again, and that she went  peaceably.  I can't thank the Lord enough for giving me such wonderful parents-I was truly blessed.
But my heart hurts to think of life without them.......