The Journey Continues ... New Life from Old

The end of the year is fast approaching, and I am looking for a theme for my 2017 New Year's resolutions. .... something short that I can repeat to myself when I am tempted to disregard those resolutions.  I want a new mantra or slogan that will make me feel sort of like I have rebranded myself for the new year. Advertising slogans are good examples of the sort of thing I am looking for.  "Just Do It" has been the catch phrase for Nike for years, and those three little words can inspire action whenever they are reflected upon.  Others that I like are "Think Different" from Apple and L'Oreal's "You're worth it".   Once I choose a slogan, I think I'll fit a few resolutions around it.  Not too many resolutions are neede, as I have lots of unfulfilled ones from past years to work on, but while I review those, I'm sure I can come up with a few new projects and goals for 2017. And of course I need to tie up a few loose ends before J

The weather here is trying to be spring-like, but the odd snowflake still wants to fall.  Thankfully, they melt as quickly as they fall.  Most day though are lovely, and my winter coat has long since been put away! The promise of spring has me going through my wardrobe and wondering just what I actually wore last summer.  The cost of shopping for new clothes versus sewing a few outfits is definitely tilted in favour of sewing.   This project is going to take a few afternoons and evenings, but other than time, I'll have some new things for almost free.  I have a fine stash of fabric waiting to become something new .... and since I sell patterns on Etsy, I also have a stash of those I can choose from.  I wish I had more time to sew, but there are lots of patterns that don't take too much time. While I'm at it, I plan to make some outfits for the grandchildren too.  My sister bought some adorable cotton prints to make into dresses and we have to select some p

For the past two months, I've been dealing with a cold and possible pneumonia, and it's left me feeling exhausted.  I haven't had a lot of energy to deal with my Etsy and Ebay stores, and I guess I felt a bit sorry for myself.  Until I read about a young mother of three young boys who is battling breast cancer, and had a second surgery today.  I have three grown sons, and looking at her photos took me back in time to when mine were the same age as hers. By way of explaining the background to her story ... I belong to a Facebook group where the members help each other with listing products and shipping questions.  If you want to check it out, it's called The Thrifting Board, and the head administrator is Jason from Thrift Hunters which ran for two seasons on Spike TV. One of the administrators for the group is the young mother. Her story is what inspired this post.    https://www.youcaring.com/nadene-shearstone-546811 Photo from www.youcaring.com Today, the g

Aren't these the cutest cups of cappucino?  Perfect to serve for Valentine's Day!  Actually, we took this photo on the other side of the world from us, in a coffee shop we visited on a family vacation in Korea.  Great memory. Funny how the meals (and coffees!) we share create such lasting memories.  That's why it's fun to try to be a little festive for special occasions; your family will remember those special days. Like Valentine's Day. While I think that Valentine's Day desserts should be special and fun,  they don't have to be difficult or take hours to make.  Today I'll share a couple of my favourites. I made the first one about 40 years ago, on our first Valentine's Day, several months after our wedding.  You can make the meringue base a couple days ahead of time, if you wish.  The rest needs to be made ahead of time and chilled for at least 12 hours before cutting. The second recipe was one I contributed to my hometown's cook

The start of a Christmas tree skirt that I began in a quilting class.  One of many projects that I would love to finish this year.  My resolutions for the New Year are the standard type -- you know, get organized, start and finish projects, clean the entire house, work out, get in shape, lose weight, that sort of thing.  Plus some more personal ones like correspondence, blogging, reading, devotions, and some general business goals that can be summed up as "succeed".    Overall, I am trying to achieve at least one thing every day, outside of the things that I absolutely have to do regardless of my resolutions. To be truthful, I don't like the term "resolution".  I prefer "life goals" or even simply "goals".  It sounds more immediate than a lofty "I hereby resolve to do x, y, and z". I was trying to figure out how to make myself accountable for some follow-through.  I can't see succeeding at a daily blog post, but then it