Wide Open Spaces

We travelled at the beginning of November. Along with visiting family in Bay City, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah, we took an overnight trip to Bryce Canyon in Southern Utah. It was a walk down memory lane for me, but it was a whole new experience for hubby and son. We ate lunch at Mom's Cafe in Salina and made it to the park in time to hit Sunset Point for sunset, at about 8000 ft elevation. We spent the night at Ruby's Inn just outside the park and then spent the next day visiting many different view points and walking some of the trails. Filled my soul.

OOPs there goes...

Our rubber tree coming down. Our neighbor asked us to trim it as it was hanging over their shed door on the other side of the fence. Once we started... we decided to take it all down and put in something that is not 25 feet tall and wide! This will give our small back yard more visual space, but I will miss the shade.

One thing connected to another thing and that thing connected to..

Once upon a time there was a family that decided to do some home remodeling. They took apart the ceiling and changed it a bit, then they started to put things back together. They realized if they want to do that then the walls are connected to it and if they want to bead board on the walls then the baseboard coving needs to be changed. And if the coving needs to be changed then the flooring has to go. Next thing they know, they dumped the old vanity and the toilet and are scraping the vinyl off the floor. Thinset and tiles and tools later the rebuilding starts.

If you think it is not all connected, think again.

Pulling crepes

Yummy... Blueberries, yogurt, and a bit of juice.

Beaded Turtle squares

The new Bead-It-Forward challenge is Turtles. Initially I was completely stumped. After a trip to the local craft store and the purchase of a couple of turtle buttons, I started stitching. The one on the right was first and then I played with a turtle heading into the water. Now there are patterns coming out designed by other participants. Ideas are starting to flow. Should be a really interesting (set of) quilt(s). Not sure how many I will do... I certainly do not expect the same level as last year but who knows...

Home Made

My newest favorite food to make: Tamales.

Google comes in handy again as I searched for and found recipes for both the dough as well as the filling. I've done taco seasoned meat in the past and they are yummy. These are black bean and corn and are amazing! I read a book called Red Glass a a few months ago and the written description of a community village of people gathered together chatting while making this food for their meals created a calling to me. I am alone in preparing this and yet I am connected.

Crepes may be next... stay tuned.

July Celebration

Happy July to you! We had our own celebration in our back yard, for the third year running. We had fountains and poppers and whistlers. All around us the sky lit up with local celebrations. So fun to sit in the swing and watch the colors and listen tot he sounds. Mack had a late night swim to cool down from the heat of the evening.We hope you enjoyed your Independence Day celebration, wherever you were and whatever you did!

Long Weekend project

A long weekend and a chance to work on the house. We pulled up the carpet that was throughout the house two years ago. We had bamboo flooring laid and then have actively been looking for what to compliment that with in our living areas. We came up with cork. This is a floating floor product (think Pergo) so it interlocks. Of course one thing leads to another and the laundry room ended up with a paint job and a bit of reorganization. We didn't finish the entire project, but we got a good start and can work over time to finish.

Slow down, you move to fast

Gotta make the morning last. (Simon and Garfunkel)

How many of us run through our days? We do things because we have always done them. OR That is the way they have always been done. OR I just don't have time to think of another way.

Slow down. Do the things you (I) love. Create intentionality. Say, "I choose to do this." Listen more.

Sounds and sights

I went for a walk this morning. It is my time to think. I have been listening to the sounds around me. I had never heard a woodpecker's song until this morning (that I could identify). Palm tree skirts make a different swishing noise from the rattle of the seed pods on a jacaranda tree. The smell of jasmine or, better yet, of citrus blossoms, yummy.

Blooming

A bit of flowering springtime for all of us. This is an iris (of some sort) that is blooming in our front yard. We planted a few of these a couple years ago next to the house and this is the first time they have bloomed. It sends up a long stem that has a bloom at a time for 6 or 7 total.

All is well. Second test came back negative, which is good. I'll go back in 6 months for another screening to see where things stand. Skin screening is all good. One area to watch, but no doom and gloom, just good sense. My eye is healing well. Still need to massage the area to break down the scar tissue, and I "lost" my lower lashes in that area, but the line of the eyelid is normal.

I have debated whether to delete the last posting. I'll leave it. Many of us go through some sort of assessment of life. Some come to it on their own and some have an emergency review. We live, we learn and we adjust.

Contemplation (or: the bucket list)

I find myself measuring what is important to me the last few day. I mean REALLY measuring. Am I doing something because it brings joy and meaning or because I have always done it. If I spend my life pursuing my dreams and goals where does that lead me and what have I given to the world? Is it important to give to the world, or give back? If I create or live a bucket list what is the measurement of success of the completion and is that important? Is measurement important? Is it important to leave a legacy? What is a legacy? What is important? In other words, to quote Monty Python, What is the meaning of life?

I can say I am somewhat paralyzed by these questions. Upon finding out I had cancer below my eye, I froze. I lived in a state of disbelief and fear for a few months as I waited for the process to complete. Now I find myself on the receiving end of a slightly-less-than-normal well-woman check-up. (Guess that would make it a not-well-check-up, though I felt fine going into the whole thing). Do I create a bucket list? (I'm not really fond of that name) OR, Have I always had one and if so what is on that list?

Hearts to Alaska

Here is the second and final set of hearts traveling to Alaska for inclusion in the "Beaders Have the Heart to Take on Breast Cancer" Challenge Quilts. Thanks again to everyone who gave me their designs so I could bead. 

Mack's other Heart

Mack found these pieces in the bead store during one of our trips. He was playing around with designs and really liked the "wing" effect that these had.

Thanks Mack!

Brenna's Heart

As a divergence from my standard delica bead, I used to seed beads in this heart. They are rounded and sit together differently. Using a square stitch, I created the base and then added more seed beads in the centers of the squares to create the heart and pattern.

Thanks Brenna! Live and Learn.

Kay's Heart

I found this beautiful pottery looking bead at a local shop. As I was walking through the fabric shop I saw this interesting fabric. Put them together and I have something similar to Kay's design.

Thanks Kay, Live and Learn!

Stem of Hearts

Silvia designed a block that had hearts "growing". I used these foil glass hearts to create a stem.

Thanks Silvia! Live and Learn Unschoolers

Layered Heart

Many people gave me designs that had hearts inside of hearts creating multiple layers. This one is for them. The inside is a button. I trimmed the button connect point as it poked out and would have lifted the button to high. Then I used peyote stitch to create a caboch cap to hold the top into place.

Mack's Heart

Mack designed a heart block that incorporated both a heart and arteries as well as valentine-type hearts. I created a fabric background and then added the pieces to create his picture.

Thanks Mack! Family

How does the garden grow and other thoughts

Our garden is planted for the upcoming season. I tweak a bit now and then as I squeeze in a few more plants, or realize that those seeds didn't germinate (lettuce). I have more flowers in there than the past, in hopes of having some color during the peak hot season when nothing else produces. I do have lots of volunteer tomatoes and a pumpkin volunteer that came up because I used the compost from our bin for the first time this year. We are still harvesting radishes and carrots that wintered over, yummy.

I"m sure I will have to thin the marigolds and probably the basil... I might have the heart to do that.

We were sitting out on the lanai working on taxes today and had two parrots come to feed at our bird feeder. They are regulars there and must be very light birds as they don't seem to trigger the spin mechanism on the Yankee Flipper we have to deter the squirrels. Quaker parrots are really beautiful green with black heads.

My surgery sight continues to progress. I have a small bit of swelling left in the area, and it is red/bruised/scar, but I am please with my progress. Fresh Pineapple! Yes, my surgeon recommended it as there is something in it that inhibits bruising and promotes healing. They recommend eating it three days out from surgery. I ate it 5 days out and then every day for the first 10 days after. I stopped every day and went to every other as it started to effect my taste. Arnica Montana was also recommended for the first three days.

I am sending my final batch of beaded hearts to Jeannette tomorrow. I managed to do quite a few more post surgery as my vision started to clear. I'll post the photos of this weekend's work tomorrow.

My honey's Heart

Here is Kirk's heart stitched in one drop peyote. He chose distinctive colors for absolute changes in heart.

Thanks Kirk! Family and Live & Learn

Heart from Ben

Here is Ben's design using Live and Learn 2008 colors. This was done with silver lined purple beads and clear gold-tint beads with silver block letters. I have to say it was the hardest one I have done in terms of leaving spaces open for the letters to sit in. I ended up filling the space with another color and short thread, and then pulling them out. I think I am just not that linear a thinker, LOL.

Thanks Ben! Live and Learn Unschoolers

Celtic heart from Jen

In keeping with simpler projects, I had found this celtic heart at Hobby Lobby and had it in my stash. Vision is clearing and so I did a simple pink beaded ribbon design in size 11 delica to add color (it's pink which doesn't really show in the photo).

Thanks Jen. Live and Learn

Acey's heart

For this design I found these great millefore heart beads at a local bead store. Perfect for the simple classic design of variation of color.

Thanks Acey, family.

Amanda's heart

Back to beading, albeit bigger beads or simpler designs for now. These are size 8 seed beads so I could see the holes even though they were blurry. The design is an emoticon symbol.

Thanks Amanda, family.

The other side

I am now on the other side. All is well. I am recovering (though still in the process of swelling). I know it will be a long time to heal, but I am comfortable with where I am.

Hearts Traveling

Here are the hearts I have completed so far. They are packed and ready to head to Alaska for inclusion into the Quilts for the Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer 2009 Bead-it-Forward Challenge: Beaders have the heart to take on breast cancer.

I am in the middle of stitching Ben's heart and have Amanda's in the wings. Then there are 20 more I can choose from should I have time and ability.

Thank you ALL for your art, it has challenged me in the best of ways!

Count Down

Surgery is scheduled for this week. I'll have MOHS on Thursday Feb. 19 to remove the cancer and reconstructive surgery on Friday Feb. 20. How much is removed will determine the amount of rebuilding to be done.

In the meantime I am planting my garden (off limits during recuperation period - flying dirt?) and trying to prepare meals in case. Just got Divine Justice by David Balducci from the library so am reading that this weekend and Kirk can read it next when he is waiting through the visits and my proposed naps.

Beaded hearts will get a final photo of the currently finished group and then mailed Wednesday to Alaska for incorporation into the quilts. Whatever I can stitch after that will get mailed in time to meet the March 15 deadline. Thanks again for your drawings!

Laura's Colorful Heart

Here is a heart that used blended colors. While I should have added more color variation to help the blending, I am pleased with the results. This was a challenge to stitch (in a good way) :-)

Thanks Laura. Live and Learn.

Mercy's Heart

Here is another Heart, peyote stitched using 2 colors.

Thanks Mercy. Live and Learn.

Carol's Heart

Peyote stitch heart using pink, red mix and center pink.

Thanks Carol! Family.

Flower and heart

Brick stitched heart with 3D flower.

Thanks Mindy, L&L conference

Paisley Heart

I've been beading up a storm! Here is a paisley heart bead embroidered straight onto the foundation fabric.

Thanks Jen (and Lawren). L&L Conference.

Herringbone Heart

Here is a free-hand herringbone-stitched heart.

Design by Suzanne, L&L. Thanks!

Irony

In an ironic twist of fate, during this process of beading squares to raise funds for breast cancer research, I have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in the area below my right eye. At this point I haven't scheduled surgery, but am readying our life for unknown. Preparing meals ahead of time, gearing things for easy in the future, and yet day to day life still goes on with grocery shopping, trips to the beach and the library, and continuing to work on house projects.

In terms of the beaded squares: I continue to work on them. I will stitch as many as I can. A package of completed squares will ship to the project prior to my surgery. Then based on what happens I will continue as I can. Please know I appreciate EVERY design and admire your willingness to contribute and am randomly stitching. If I can't get to each design I mean no affront to any designer. Life happens.

Enclosed heart

Here's the latest heart square. If there is time I will add an inner lining of red beads per the designer, but... time is passing and there are so many squares!

Thanks Bob, family.

A new light fixture

We spent our holiday time relaxing in between Kirk's periodic trips to work. We hung out and worked on the house. I wanted a new light fixture in the main bathroom. Unfortunately it wasn't as simple as it sounds. But we were up for the challenge. Some deconstruction, a new light fixture and vent fan and then some wallboard and now we are ready for the wall finishing. Thanks to Acey for helping us design the new medicine cabinet, the inset will be stained glass and I'll post another photo when it all gets done. (Don't hold your breath)

One more heart

Here is a fabric scrap with 8 hearts, open to the possibilities of the universe.

Thanks Kharis, family.

Settling into the Happy New Year

Jan 2009. A new year stretches before us with promise and possibility. We had a quiet celebration with fireworks in our back yard and then a bit of gaming. I hope your Evening was spent doing something you loved.

I have lots of things to post and several pictures ready to go, but let me start off with a recipe that we enjoyed this evening. I've been organizing the thousands of recipes I've collected over the years. I found this from www.womansday.com/specials Slow cooking, year unknown... This is not for the faint of tastebuds, this is some kick *&^ soup.

Santa Fe Sweet Potato Soup

2 dried New Mexico chili peppers

2 cups boiling water

1 Tbsp oil

2 onions, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 finely chopped jalapeno pepper

1 tsp salt

1 tsp dried oregano leaves

4 cups peeled sweet potatoes cut into 1/2-in cubes

6 cups vegetable or chicken broth

2 cups corn kernels, thawed if frozen

1 tsp grated lime zest

2 Tbsp lime juice

2 roasted red peppers, cut into thin strips

Finely chopped cilantro

1. In a medium bowl, soak chili peppers in boiling water for 30 minutes. Drain, discarding soaking liquid and stems. Pat dry, chop finely and set aside.

2. In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened. Add garlic, jalapeno pepper, salt, oregano and chili peppers and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Transfer mixture to slow cooker. Add sweet potatoes and broth and stir to combine.

3. Cover and cook on High 4-6 hours or Low 8-10 hours, until sweet potatoes are tender. Strain vegetables, reserving broth. In a blender or food processor, puree vegetables with 1 cip reserved broth until smooth. Return mixture, along with reserved broth, to slow cooker. Or, using a hand held blender, puree the soup in slow cooker. Add corn, lime zest and juice. Cover and cook on High for 20 minutes until corn is tender.

Okay, that was the real recipe. I substituted 2 Tbsp chipolte peppers in adobo sauce for the New Mexico peppers (I didn't have any) AND 1 can roasted chopped green chilis for the jalapeno (didn't have that either). I used 1 large onion and didn't add any salt as I was using a carton of broth. I chopped the roasted red pepper finely and added it with the corn, juice and zest of a whole lime and then forgot the cilantro. We put dollops of yogurt on the soup to cut the heat a bit. Enjoy!