What are snowy days good for????

I awoke early today and thought I would watch some more of my quilting shows, because I have 6 months worth I have not watched on Tivo. I need to free up some more space for other important programs like more quilting shows :)
Well instead of what I was going to do.. I sat down at the computer and wrote everyone a quick note asking about the outstanding quilt blocks. After that was completed.... I started myself a Hamburger mystery dish. The mystery part of the dish is where you use up some of those bags of frozen veggies that are now getting close to the expire date. Of course its more like goulash with the pasta. Well it turned out pretty good ;) For being a big Mystery.
After that dish was completed.... I started cooking a big arm roast that I purchased yesterday at the grocers. I also purchased a large shank ham that I divided up into 4 separate bags. They will be just the right size for me to have ham and green beans, ham and beans, ham and potatoes and of course ham and cabbage :)
While I was doing all of that cooking... I cleaned out the fridge and the freezer. Tell me how many of those freezer packs does one really need in their freezer at one time. Me I had about 12 of them.. go figure. Do you think I was keeping them around for a heat wave in the middle of winter??? Trash was taken out from that and then I started on the cupboards. I don't know about you but I found things in there that was way older than two years. OUT it went.. I think the best thing to do is start a fresh. I started pitching hot chocolate mixes, jelly, spices, canned tuna, cereal, old bottles of salad dressing.. you name it and I probably pitched. I pitched open bags of chips, cookies, crackers, and so forth. If I have not eaten it by now its not getting eaten. so out it went. I have two more cupboards to go through. I ran out of steam in this old body. I still have trouble standing more than an hour without having to sit for a while.
So there you have it ladies.. I am on the road to getting some of my life changes going.. so far:
I cook all the time for myself...
I started cleaning out the kitchen cupboards
I have started throwing away things that are just laying around.
Exp old magazines, old dog toys that have been chewed on, stacks of old letters.. actually those are shredded.. these are some of the things I have been doing.
I told my dad I wanted him to help me this spring throw out my old couch. It is leather and has a few holes in it from wear.. so its going to get pitched.
I have set down and made this huge list and so far I am doing the things slowly but surely. I have a long way to go.. but I know I will get there eventually :)
Well ladies its Ta Ta for now :)

Monday Morning Blues

Some people woke up to the Monday Morning Blues... not me I woke up to the
most beautiful sight.

This snow has just the right moister content to make a perfect snowman!!! I just love it when there is a blanket of snow on the ground. Although it will not last long. The temps are warm and it is already melting away. I hear it outside drip drip drip. Oh well at least it's pretty for now... everything is so quiet..not a sound when you step outside. You have to catch everything just at the right time to be able to get the snow still on the branches of trees, rails, wires and so forth. I got out just in time to see it!! :) What a gorgeous day. Too bad there are no little ones here to make me a snowman!!! I sure miss my youth.. that is one thing I always did .. I made a snowman.. or two or three.. it could be up to 10. Everywhere I went I made a snowman ;) I wanted everyone to have a smile on their face!!
I have to tell a short story.. the first year I moved into the Oleo Ranch we had a huge winter snow. Thank goodness it was on one of my days off... so I could enjoy it like today. It was a Sat Morning and I had to go North to my brothers.. so there I was driving down the road... and what did I spy... all lined up all along my street were little snowmen. They each had the traditional 3 snow balls for the bodies, and branches for the arms. They were no more than a foot tall. Roughly a foot between each one of them.... I know who made these fun and whimsical snowmen... we only had one family with children at that time. Two boys and one girl. They had to have stayed outside making snowmen half the morning. It was so cute.. I took a photo .. but right now I can't find it.. but if and when I do I will post it to show you. It really was a cute thing to see. On Martha's I love it very much scale... I would give those little snowmen a 10 :)
Enjoy you warm weather people,
we have snow and will get more today and tonight ;)

*************************************
It's almost 2:30pm here and the snow is almost melted..
it started raining. Oh well it was pretty while it lasted..
now its a squishy mud mess outside!!!

Here are a lot more blocks

Rachel L's 9 patch blocks.

Rachel L's themed block group #2.
Deb B's 9 patch blocks
Deb B's Themed block group #3.
Kimberly C's 9 patch blocks
Kimberly C's themed block group #5.
Cj's Nine Patch
CJ's Themed block group #1
Marie S's 9 patch blocks.
Marie S's Themed block group #2.
Kathy S's 9 patch block.
Kathy S's Themed block group # 1Kathy S's 9 patch block.
Kathy S's Themed block group #5.
Nadine's 9 Patch block.
Nadine C. Themed block group #5.
Nadine's 9 Patch block.
Nadine's Themed block group #1.
Michelle R's 9 patch blocks.
Michelle R's Themed blocks group #4.
Michelle R's 9 patch blocks.

Michelle R's Themed blocks group #3.
Sherry B's 9 patch block.
Sherry B's themed block group #1
Sherry B's 9 patch group # 4
Sherry B's themed group #4
Sherry B's 9 patch group #3.
Sherry B's themed block group #3.

Sherry B's 9 patch for group #2.
Sherry B's themed block for group #2.
Jennifer C's 9 patch blocks.
Jennifer C's themed blocks. It very hard to see the hand work on these blocks but they are fantastic. Group #1

Debora O's 9 patch block.
Debora O's themed block group #4.

Katie B's 9 patch block.
Katie B's themed block group #3.

Eye Candy From APP

My Blogging and Swapping Friends :)

Here is peek of the long awaited Aunt Pitty Pat
Holly Jolly Blocks.
I can hardly wait to hear what you have to say ..
the blocks are all officially done as of this very minute.
I don't know why it took so long to finish them..
Although I had them completed last weekend
but decided to add the border today.
I love how they turned out!!!
Are you sure you want one of these crummy blocks??
App would never want to pawn off something
so awful on all of my swap partners!!

Ok take a look see and let me know what you think :)

All of the 9 patch blocks are the same :)

Group: #1
Not all of the stockings are alike..
there is Santa's, snowmen, penguins.. etc
all have a fun border around them.

Group:#5
Not all of the penguin blocks are a like..
the scarves are different materials..
but the rest is almost the same.

DID YOU KNOW THAT BOOK TWO IS OUT!!

I have been spoiled!! I didn't even know this was out yet!! I received a copy of the wonderful Apron*ology book 2 from my dear friend Nadine... I have to tell you it has some fantastic eye candy in it. If you haven't seen it.. You should at least make it a point to go to your local fabric shop to take a long drooling glance at it. Don't forget to take one of your vintage hankies, if you don't use it to wipe off your drool.. you can add it to one of your awesome new creative aprons :) I know I am going to in-corporate some of the awesome embellishments into some of my aprons. I am of a like mind like Nadine.. this new book is so much better than book 1, Book 1 was awesome too but Apron*ology 2 ...... its over the top Fabulous!!!
Speaking of AWESOME if you have not heard the Susan Boyle Cd you better it's really really great!! I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I am. Susan has done some old favorites and some show tunes... a great combination in this album. A very relaxing mix of songs. Susan might not have the length of time in the business.. as a lot of singers .. but she has a voice that matches or exceeds them! Awesome album!! The arrangements almost brings tears to your eyes .. the music and the voice it's so beautiful....Now run out and listen to it you will see what I am talking about :)

Chocolate time again :)

Recipe from: Lovin' From the Oven
Please run by and look at Lovin' from the oven's awesome website.
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 king-sized milk chocolate bars (e.g. Hershey’s)
• 1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
   
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined.
   
3. Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together).
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Makes 16 cookie bars.

Color IS GOOD!

Yesterday I went to the doctor for my yearly physical...
My blood pressure was high,
My cholesterol was high,
I'd gained some weight
and I didn't feel so hot.
My doctor said eating right doesn't have to be complicated
and it would solve my physical problems.

He said just think in colors - - fill your plate
with bright colors -- greens, yellows, reds, etc.

I went right home and ate and entire bowl of .....


And sure enough, I felt better immediately.
I never knew that eating right could be so easy.

Have a Beautiful Colorful Day!!

When you get right down to it, it's all about the
CHOCOLATE!!

LOL and what about those Yankees????

I guess if you want a torrent of comments.. one should always talk about babies, politics, and the in-justices of society.... I am a coward.....I really shy away from religion! The main reason for that is there are so many different ones and they believe so many different things. Like one doesn't believe in dancing.. then one doesn't believe in eating beef on Friday.. then one doesn't eat pork and so on and so on....... so to save from hurting feelings... I really try to stay neutral in that territory :) I think that is a very wise decision on my part. As for yesterdays vomiting of words... for all of you who sided with me on my views of yesterdays mishaps thank you and for those of you that some how disagreed... thank you too :) Its always fun to see how people feel about the subjects and ramblings that I post here on APP's. I loved reading all of your wonderful and funny remarks. Sometimes I feel we really don't use our blogs to their full potential. We.. or should I say... sometimes I hold back... but mostly I find I want to share the fun times and the handmade crafts.. One's that I have created and those items that have been create for me ;) So my blog is really all about fun.. but sometimes you just gotta let it all hang out... Life is not always Happy Days... but most days it really is about the Fonz, we want to look cool and say I meant to do that ;) So ladies lets dust off those poodle skirts and throw that pink cashmere sweat around your neck and do the be bop a loo la ;O)

I know I have happy feet today :O)

I got chocolate in the mail :)

Ps notebook computer doesn't like the outlook program.. so I can't send response emails, for your wonderful comments... sorry. I did enjoy reading everyone of them and thank you ;)

I'm Having a Fit!!

Mucha muchhhhh grunch gurnch...brick a brack... mmm pstsssss >>> APP cussing!! Kermit is in the shop again. I could never get my external hard drive to load up. The computer guy says bring it back in.... He tells me your external drive is bad... I tell him its less than 4 months old its not bad because it was on the Dell before he worked on it.. and it loaded up ok on my notebook right before I brought it here to you. So he takes it over to his Notebook and it loads up lickity split for him... He then says its the C drive and its not recognizing the external drive code... well I said fix it!!! His reply was I have to contact Dell and get some sort of code to make the external hard drive recognize Kermit... I said do it !!! I want my computer back....So now its going to be gone another week. I spent over an hour getting my notebook back on line..... it took the cable company 30 mins to get the notebook to recognize the Ip address. Agggggggg APP has more grey hair after today's adventures!

What is it with people when it comes to doing a job??? They are either lazy and don't want to work or just don't give a darn!!! What is it anyway?????

Here let me explain what I mean... my doctor call the Pharmacy for a new med for me to take and the Prescription insurance co.. decline to fill the meds... how in the world is an insurance company as smart about my health as my doctor, that has cared for me the last 16 years.

My Doctor knows what is wrong with me not the 6 different insurance companies I have had in those 16 plus years.

Ok so I am worked up a tad about that.. we need to take that power back from those insurance companies and put it back in the hands of our doctors.. I am going to make it my goal to heckle those insurance people until change comes about.. NOW don't get me even started on that new Health Care Reform that your stupid President is trying to shove down our throats.. ok enough said about that.. as I don't want to hurt any ones feels with my own thwarted feelings toward this countries President.... or I should say puppet for congress. I was standing on line waiting to pay for my one prescription was was granted to be filled today. I always stand there reading the rag magazines.. and low and behold on the front of one of them is the in bold type Michelle Obama is tired of the drunken weekend parties at the White House... I don't know about you but if that is happening... we need to out that guy for sure.. That is a disgrace to our country acting that way... boot the dude!!! And the faster the better!!!

Ok so then I went to the post office and the lady was giving me a hard time about debit or credit with my bank card... of course I told her credit... she would not take it because the card was not signed... she smartly said.... its a federal law to sign those cards and we don't have to take them. I told her that other places take it all the time without a signature.. she then in a very flippant tone said WHAT EVER!! I went ... WHAT EVER MS RUDENESS!!!! Nasty thing then walked away and I wasn't even finished with my business there..... Well!!!! We pay them high postage prices to be treated that way??? So I left there and went to another Post Office and boy did I give them an ear full about that other post office... the second one I went to is my local one and they were shocked I was treated like that... Between you and me and the fence post I hope they say something about the treatment I received. Its too bad they don't get a commission on their sales.. because I spent over 70 dollars on postage today!! To think I got treated like that paying that much money too!!!

Only good thing about today is I was able to get my windshield wipers fixed and I had lunch with Daddy O ... I love spending time with him :) He can be such a grouch sometimes... but today was a great day :)

The rest of the day was uneventful.. thank goodness :)

Holly JOlly BlOckS

Ladies the blocks keep coming in.. I know several are on their way.. I have received several emails indicating they are in route to me :) If you don't have them finish or just haven't sent them yet.. Please hurry everyone is getting antsy to see their return blocks. I know several of you took on more than one set.. I hope they get here in a reasonable amount of time. Swappers .... Please be a tad more patient.. you will get your blocks soon :) If you haven't already sent your blocks.. please don't spend extra to over nite them.. its not necessary to do that.. let me know if your going to be late, and how late if possible :)
I might even be late getting my blocks done.. All my blocks are done :) ...I had to do some piecing on a couple of blocks... I didn't have enough fabric to make the complete set of 12 - 12 1/2 inch blocks. So that meant I had to do some piecing of back grounds for the blocks.. and WOW!!! I love how they turned out and I just might border the rest of my penguin blocks.. To make them just like those other three I had to piece!! So I just might be sewing on those next weekend too. But I know it won't take long to do that. I might even get that done tomorrow!
I will post photos of them soon!!
I know everyone is on pins and needles to see my finished blocks ;O)
I will try and get all the photos of Grandma Peachy's party loaded this week too :)

RETARDED GRANDPARENTS

I received this as an email,,, It was so funny ...
I just had to share it with you. 　

(this was actually reported by a teacher)

After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their holiday away from school.
One child wrote the following:
We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa.
They used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Arizona .
Now they live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass.
They ride around on their bicycles and wear name tags because they I don't
know who they are anymore.
They go to a building called a wreck center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now,
they do exercises there, but they don't do them very well.
There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with hats on.
At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it.
He watches all day so nobody can escape.
Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts.
Nobody there cooks, they just eat out.
And, they eat the same thing every night --- early birds.
Some of the people can't get out past the man in the doll house.
The ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked center for pot luck.
My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too..
When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house.
Then I will let people out, so they can visit their grandchildren. 　

.... PRICELESS

I hope this puts a smile on your face today :) It sure did mine ;) LOL

A great Day for Sewing

I was in chat last nite on Pins and Needles when I told Ms T and Jindi it was going to be a day of sewing. Yes ladies it was a day of sewing. I accomplished so much... in fact I got more sewing done than I thought I would. I started and completed both sets of 9's for the Holly Jolly themed block swap. I put the finishing touches on one set of blocks. Tomorrow the only thing left on both sets is put 3 penguins on backs then I am totally done with the Holly Jolly Block Swap. Well at least the sewing part :) Those three blocks should go very fast. I expect about an hour total :)

After that I need to figure out what sort of owl I want to use on my Owl block swap. I was thinking about doing raw edge applique with straight stitches. I think the edges frayed would look more like feathers when they raveled out. Now I just have to figure out the design of the owl. The designing is always the fun part for me.... the scheming and dreaming of what they will look like ;) I can hardly believe it. I have already received one set of owl blocks, one set is on the way.. and one of the Holly Jolly swappers asked if they could send the owls along with their Holly Jolly blocks. Its amazing the swap is not quite closed and the blocks are already starting to come in. Wow... Owls must be good subject matter when it comes to making things ;)
There is still lots of snow on the ground here in Ta Town. Tomorrow is going to be another fun day of sewing for me. I do want to get some more of my quilting shows dubbed off for my library of reference material tomorrow. One can never have enough instruction when it comes to sewing and quilting. I hope everyone had a great weekend. Until next time... happy stitching and no ripping ;)
Oh by the way I have three openings left for one group of 12 on pins for the owl blocks swap. Are you interested?? Send me and email if you want to play along ;)
Thanks M

Beautiful Blocks

Hello ladies I just wanted to show you all the beautiful blocks I have received so far. I'm going to ask a question to all of those that participated. I love your blocks... I would like to keep one of each set. I don't know if you intended on me keeping one of the twelve in your group. I don't just want to assume. I know a couple of you have sent an extra for me... but several did not. So I am asking you to please send me an email and advise me if it is ok to keep one of your wonderful fun Holiday Blocks.
I am so amazed at these creative and wonderful blocks...
thank you in advance :)
Now on with the show :)
There were so many blocks that I have posted I hope I got the Nine patches with the right themed block :)

The two blocks below are from Nadine C. from WA. She sent me photos of her lovely blocks.. I have not received them in the mail yet. When I do I will post the 9 patches too :)

These two blocks below came from Robin L. from Fl.
The two blocks below came from Emilee T. from GA
The two blocks below came from Caroll D. from MI.
The two blocks below came from Linda S from MO.
The two blocks below came from Pia B from Denmark.
The two blocks below are from Judith K-C from NC.
The two blocks below are from Jan L from MI.

The two below blocks are from Erika R from the Netherlands.
The two blocks below are from Gaddy in AS.
The two blocks below are from Sharon Z. from NY.
The two blocks below are from Ann C. from MI.

The two blocks below came from Cecelia M from WV.
The two blocks below are from Jan L from MI.
The two blocks below are from Jenna Z from IL.
The blocks below came in from Frieda Z. from Tx.
I am sorry for the poor quality of the photos.. I am not going to keep these block photos up on my blog long as they take up too much photo space in my blogger account. I did want to show everyone the blocks because some of the participants don't have blogs ;)

Who wants to swap???

I have posted three swaps up on Pins and Needles. Anyone can join the site just run over here at:
pinsandneedles.ning.com .. If you don't want to join in on the group.. just send me an email with your info and I will sign you up ;)
I would love to have you join in on the fun. But you have to hurry sign ups end very very soon.
I am holding the following swaps :)
Apron Swap
Owl Block Swap
Ft QT fabric swap

I am still trying to get my computer back up and running. When you start out from scratch it takes a while to get all the up grades and programs reinstalled. I almost have all the programs back on. I am having a very hard time getting my external drive to load up. Its bad.. that's where all my photos and clip art is. Hopefully I can get and answer from the company in the next couple of days on how to reinstall it.
I can go back a reload all of my purchased clip art.. but what a pain! I will do it if I have too :)

Lastly I have been receiving lots and lots of awesome quilt blocks.. on my next day off expect an email from me if you sent me your blocks. I know I have sent some of you emails already.. but I am old, cranky and forgetful and I will just resend an email to everyone so you will know that I got them. I will take the time out to photograph the ones I have received and I will post them here on the blog for a short time. Blogger only gives you so much photo space when that is used up you can't post any more photos.

Ok don't forget I have the three swaps going on over at pins and needles ;)