Texas winds

The wind has blown here all week. Each day it just gets stronger and stronger. It blew and knocked things around on the outside of the house last night. This morning, still strong, and the sky is orange from all of the dust from the surrounding cotton fields. The farmer that works the fields along back of our property, passed away a few days ago. As I passed by the ancient small cemetary on my way to town, one can see the new gravesite from the road, the flowers on his grave are still holding on in all of this forceful wind. I was greeted by my chickens and ducks this morning, as their door to their enclosure, ripped off through the night. Thank goodness the fence held up. I now need to fix the door before night fall, and haven't a clue as to how I am going to manage that. My husband is working and won't be home until after dark. I know there just has to be something laying somewhere on the grounds that can make do until he can fix it for me. I am handy at everything, except for building things. No matter how hard I try, things seem to come out crooked or lopsided when I get creative in that department.

Sunny days

Last week's extreme cold weather, forced me to stay inside and focus on my hand work, (with no regrets{:) This weekend turned out so pleasant, that I put away my needle and worked with my garden spade. I have been experimenting with planting pine cone seed and have had success (see my country blog... http://eggsinmypocket.blogspot.com ) so I have started planting new seed. I am anxious to see them sprout. I hope to decide on what kind of handwork I am going to get made up to sell along with my plants at the local farmer's market this coming summer. I could sure use an extra pair of hands! I'm not sure if anyone else has this problem, but I am always torn between sewing, planting, or baking. I love them all!

Debbie Macomber

While browsing the book section in the store, my eye caught the colorful jacket of a paperback book by Debbie Macomber. I do not spend as much time reading as I do embroidering, and my favorite fiction writers are Janette Oake and Danielle Steel. Most of my reading, however, are inspirational books by Joel Osteen, Stormie Omartian, Beth Moore, and a good collection of Norman Vincent Peale. What drew me to Debbie Macomber's book was the picture of the yarn basket and cat on the front cover of the book called " A Good Yarn". I also discovered "The Shop on Blossom Street" along with other books from her with the same quality eye catching art on the cover. Upon reading about the books, I was even more intrigued as it covered the subject of knitting, owning a yarn store and gardening. I purchased the books, took the time to read them and instantly became a Debbie Macomber fan. Last night, to my delight, I discovered that she also has written an inspirational book titled, "Knit Together, Discover God's Pattern for Your Life" . I cannot put this book down! It is such a wonderful encouraging book for anyone who has a dream or even a question about what they want to do in their life. If anyone has a doubt about God's unending love and purpose for their life, I would recommend to take time to read this book. Debbie Macomber shows step by step, a way to find that purpose and the realization of a dream, and all in trusting and knowing the Lord is always loving us. I am drawn to people like Debbie Macomber, who find a way, by using her talents. to enrich and bless others lives.

shell cardigan

I found a wonderful crochet sweater pattern, that at the moment, seems easy enough for me to crochet! If this turns out to be as good of a pattern as I hope, I will take the time to place the instructions on this blog for anyone else who might want to give it a try. However, the time process is always an issue for me, as I have other irons in the fire. The photo shows only a few rows for now, good for a "beginning" shot. Hopefully, there will be more to show at a later date.

Wonderful readings, great help and beautiful blogs

While browsing, I had the good fortune to come upon some wonderful blogs that offers wonderful crochet patterns and help, thank you, Michele, at http://inspiredcrochetdesign.blogspot.com and Richard, your blog is inspirational and interesting at http://kleincabin.com and such wonderful reading can be found at http://livinglifeafter65.blogspot.com . In this wonderful world of blogs, I find it truly amazing to take a look inside of other's lives and to see their talents and passions. Thanks to the people responsible for setting up this wonderful service to all of us bloggers!

My country life blog

I have so many things going on at one time! I made another blog to journal my "country living" and all of the plans and dreams to create a small farm/nursery I have always dreamed of. Most of all there will be a lot of photos of my outside adventures and the pets that make this place so wonderful. This new blog is called Eggs in my pocket. There is a link on my "Other Creative Bloggers "list, down below. I will also still have this blog dedicated to my embroidery and sewing.

back on schedule

The school bus just left with my children about 35 minutes ago, the holidays are over and everyone is back to their own busy schedules.Now that they are gone a little bit during the day, cooking time has gone down a little and I have more time to get some projects done. Along with my embroidery projects, I also have other projects going. I have two cross stitch pictures half way done that I work on once or twice a week. I have a square crochet doily I am making a lot of to join together for a curtain in my dining room, and then there are the pot holders and dish cloths. I also have quilt blocks started. I love to make miniature quilts, but have always wanted to make quilts for every one's bed in the house. I am working on a 9 patch/hour glass quilt that I worked the design over for different results and for myself, I have always loved the wedding ring quilt, and am going to start one of those up in the next few days. I also love fixing scrapbooks and family history. Because I have all of these things and more that I want to do, I spend a little time on different days to work with each one. The process is slow, but I do get these finished this way. Sometimes I can get so hooked on the project I am doing, that I will spend several days working on it only. Sometimes I want to do something different. I have always wanted to learn how to knit. I would love to know how to knit sweaters. I have spent the past few years buying books on this subject , yet I always feel intimidated to start knitting. However, I am going to give this a try in the coming weeks. The sun has just peeked over the horizon and I need to start my day. I planned to work out in the garden a little this morning, but my hands are sore from the weed work I did yesterday, so I am taking a break from that for a small bit.

2008!

A new year! One more thing I have decided I am going to hold myself to do every day, is to go for a walk. There are miles and miles of pasture land, cotton fields and meadows to enjoy and to watch Sophie explore. I have found it to be such a great way to clear my mind of worries and doubts. I remember the 6 weeks I just recently spent working at a convenient store, and as the customers who reeked of alcohol and pot yelled at me, I would look out of the store window, and silently promise myself that if I chose to stay home again, I would walk everyday, appreciating the quiet and solitude of un-hostile surroundings. So thankfully, here I am, working from home, and grateful that I can be home. Already, spring fever is hitting me, as I now am making plans for the flower beds and the grounds around our home. There is so much to prepare. I still have more weeds to conquer. I still have plans for my sewing projects as well. Hopefully, I will keep myself motivated to get it all done. Well, the day is wasting, and there is much to do.