i'm the happiest girl....in the whole u.s.a........

My daughter started kindergarten and rides the bus with her older brothers.
A new chapter in all our lives. I'm ready.

37 Things.

Whew!....................It's been a long time since I've blogged.
I have, although, been keeping up on my daily early morning coffee and inspiration by reading other blogs. Can't give that up.
Here's my 37 Things.
1. Peaches.
2. lately, have been really drawn to fashion. More so than when I was a teenager. I guess it's my interest in sewing and fabric that is directing my eye to the details of clothing, vs. just the trend.
3. Vanilla Ice Cream.
4. Favorite all-time movie is A Room with a View.
5. Next week I am taking swimming lessons. (yes, level one.)
6. My youngest enters Kindergarten in a few weeks.
7. I am on the quest for the Perfect Part-time job.
8. I have been plucking my eyebrows since 7th grade.
9. I like the smell of skunks.
10. Chocolate.
11. Love going to a movie all by myself.
12. I really like butterflies.
13. cucumbers.
14. I'm trying hard not to gossip anymore.
15. I love the early, early morning.
16. I Back- packed through Europe when I was 21.
17. Love the song The Dog and the Butterfly by Heart - ya don't hear it much on the radio
18. I always read the Back-to-School issues of Seventeen. It's not the same now.....I just read the Sept. issue and the library the other day......It's not at all as it was in the 80's.
19. Gin and tonic is my current drink of choice.
20. Limes.
21. I have a "thing" for sheets.
22. Love being a Leo....although, I don't believe all of the Leo traits suit me. I was born premature....perhaps I'm technically not a Leo.
23. Can't stand Duran Duran.
24. Love trees.
25. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.......and I'm lovin' the more mature, healthy version that belongs to Paul Newman
26. J.Crew
27. This is the year to fitness!
28. I'm not a horse girl
29. love cement as a building material. So much you can do with it.
30. Lemons.
31. Rick Springfield.
32. Right now my jewlry of choice are necklaces. I used to be a bracelet- only girl. Then a dangly earing- only girl. Now a delicate necklace around my neck is a must-have daily. I can't wear all three (earrings, bracelets, necklaces) at one time....it's too much for me. 2 out of 3 is the most I can handle.
33. I can't stand clutter. I like simple.
34. daisys and poppies are my favorite flowers right now
35. I will learn to make a chair out of sticks and twigs.
36. I want to take a belly dancing class........perhaps during my 38th year.
37. and finially................ART...... I start my day with it and it's a huge part of my day, in every little way...from my dishes, to my clothing, to my home, to my gardens. It's my passion.

Happy Birthday to me. I'm pleased to by 37 and I look forward to my new transition as all my children will be in school and life takes a slightly different course. Alright sewing machine....get ready.......I will be introducing myself to you in exactly 3 weeks!!!

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What Would Caroline Ingalls Do?

So many bloggers out there are talking about it.
Wise Craft, Little Birds, Molly Coddle, Jumilla Bugs, and many more are feeling it.
Whenever I feel rushed, stressed, pressed for time.....in a hurry, overwhelmed, etc. I really do ask myself, "What would Caroline Ingalls do?" Well, I don't ask myself EVERY time, but often enough. I wonder all the time why I get myself all in a tizzy over what...doing the dishes?....the laundry?....projects that are not finished?.....does it really matter?
Living our best life - as Oprah says, Doing the Zen thing, Following the ways of the Jedi (my boys are way into StarWars), Deep Breathing like my yoga teachers says, Just be patient as my flower gardens tell me, and so on.
I know what to do.....I read inspirational quotes all the time...I'm not dumb - but it's very strange how hard it is to really slow down. I'm practicing. Deep breath. Out through the nose. Now.....what to do with this darling fabric?? (Come on....look at those BLUE strawberries!)

Vera, Welcome.

I love Vera textiles. Love them. I look at them on eBay but have never won a bid. That's o.k. I knew that if I was patient, I would stumble upon her. I stumbled!
I found 3 dishtowels. Two are the same, the basic apple. And the third has a recipe printed on it...very clever...must try it. I really like them all... and am thrilled to have begun my collection.

A bit of stitching.

Here's a project I've been working on here-n-there.
What will it be?
When will I finish it?
Not sure.....but I'm having fun with it....and I'm able to use bits-n-pieces of fabrics that I really like.
I will post it again down the road so that I can note the progress.
....at the moment, I am not happy with that tall "mail box" looking tree. I need to play around with the shapes & fabrics more....... so off I go...

soon to be corner of my home. 001

soon to be corner of my home. 001
Originally uploaded by tuscanycastlegirl.

O.k. I had my first sewing machine lesson yesterday. Of course, I forgot to bring my foot pedal. I still learned a few tips as far as threading the machine and tension.
It's a good thing I'm learning to sew.....I can't quit looking at great fabric. Look at this from Ikea. I just had to buy a few yards....I do have plans for it!