starting a new year . . .

Busy day today . . . but doodled a little with some paint this morning.  Busy in a good way - lunch with a friend, some shopping, some projects, and time with Charlotte.

I found the list below at  Meet Me At Mikes . . . I think these are fun!

Making:  dolls and doodles . . . journal pages . . . and crocheting a beanie

Cooking:  13 Bean Chili

Drinking:  coffee . . . always coffee (but tonight it is decaf)

Reading:  The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler . . . just starting it

Drawing:  doodles

Wanting:  warmer weather . . . not a lover of cold weather (I consider anything below 60 degrees cold . . . yes, I am that big of a wimp)

Looking:  at my closet . . . thinking I need to clean it out . . . UGH!

Deciding:  if I should go to Starbucks in the morning . . . decided – it’s a yes . . but it will be cold outside. :(

Wishing:  the best for everyone in 2017

Enjoying:  quiet mornings . . .

Waiting:  . . . about 3 more months for a new granddaughter

Liking:  Instagram

Wondering:  where a few photographs are in my house . . . I stuck them away and can't find them

Loving: . . . the time I spend with Charlotte

Pondering:  a road trip . . . 

Listening:  to nothing . . . nice and quiet

Considering:  a new camera

Buying:  a new purse . . .

Watching:  Game of Thrones

Hoping:  for some good news tomorrow

Marveling:  at how quickly last year flew by . . . and here we are starting another new year.

Cringing:  at seeing Winter Break end . . . but I getting back into a routine can be a good thing for me

Needing:  that road trip I am thinking about

Questioning:  someone’s mental state

Smelling: the new lotion I bought today

Wearing:  leggings and a flannel shirt

Noticing:  it is getting late and I should really be getting to sleep

Knowing:  life is short . . . enjoy every minute!

Thinking:  I am going to drink coffee and be a bum in the morning

Admiring:  so many creative people . . . .

Getting:  obsessed with avocados . . . 

Bookmarking: some ideas for baby shower favors and a Project Life Album 

Disliking:  getting sick . . . finally starting to feel better

Opening:  a letter from my Aunt Olive

Closing:  my book for the night

Feeling:  INSPIRED!

Hearing:  nothing but quiet . . . 

Celebrating:  a new year . . . a new beginning.  I love new beginnings!

Pretending:  that people don’t piss me off
Embracing:  FAITH

Also found this website . . . according to them - here are my nine best Instagram images for 2016.
I'm seeing a theme here . . . 

Happy New Year!

Is it Summer yet?

My days are full and busy, but will be slowing down soon.  I am doing my best to keep up on the "index card a day" challenge.  Some of the prompts from the last few days . . . . top ten list, bowling, compass, island, baseball, and cobalt.  I can't say I am happy with all of them - but having fun just the same.  Things should actually be a little better after today.  

Summer time, Summer time . . . it's all most here!

words about me . . .

I loved this post from ihanna and decided to post my own list of words that define me.  I like words, I like lists, and I love doing things like this . . . so here is my list - (in no particular order)

I am . . . 
faith, paper cranes, kind, brown eyes, caring, pens, curious, coffee, wife, forgiving, skeletons, quotes, reader, the walking dead, mother, green, creative, doodler, tennis, zombies, lip balm, Halloween, hearts, antique stores, glitter, blogger, grandmother, books, beer, peace signs, journals, friend, rainy days, coffee mugs, sunflowers, passionate, baseball, prayer, dolls, lists, happy, sushi, snail mail, fun paper, movies, weird, daughter, Starbucks, cemeteries, embroidery, pink, day of the dead, earrings, Autumn, silly, iPhone, flip flops, photographer, sister, vintage lace, crossword puzzles, vintage boxes, strong, sriracha sauce, buttons, talker, road trips, funny, maxi skirts, champagne, survivor, picnics, book stores, tall, graphic tees, detailed, angels, Adidas, lists, music, fabric, scones, scarves, family, books, love, bike rides, cribbage, farmers market, sunshine, yarn, hats, chalk, charms, perfume, jewelry, Summer, crafts, daily scriptures, books, beach, samplers, confident, walking/running, organized, sarcastic, color, bonfires, staying up late, freckles, Sharpies, convoluted . . . just me.

December 8th . . . Christmas Elf

I have a list of things I want to get done today . . . we will see if that happens.  On the list . . . shopping, put out some of my origami cranes, bake cookies, put up a few more decorations, take some pictures, finish my doll.  Add to that laundry and a some cleaning.  So that is why I don't always get done what I want to get done - too many things I like to do. 

 Happy December 8th! 

November 10th . . . To-do List

My other to-do list - which includes more practical things to do than this one is so long . . . and not nearly as much fun.  Just a reminder to find joy in the small stuff.

 

Sweet November photo challenge

Sidewalk Chalk & Saturday Seven ~

A box of sidewalk chalk . . . guess what we're doing later today!

 

Glad this week is over . . . let me get back to the Saturday Seven at planettreasure

7 non chocolate treats . . .

1.  bright wonderful yarn to play with.

  2.  a good dark beer - a porter or a stout

              3.  a bear claw danish - especially on a Sunday

 morning shared with Richard

               4.  watching a good movie - eating popcorn      

5.  coconut scented lotion - or vanilla 

6.  my mom's butterscotch pie             

7.  brightly painted toe nails                

 

Saturday Seven . . . and 52 lists (better late than never)

I missed last week's Saturday Seven from planettreasures.  The two weeks before that I think I did them on Sunday . . . even worse - this week I am a week late, but better late than never???

Things I need to do . . .

1. Catch up on my list challenges

2. Work on my Shabby Charlotte dolls - I think I have 7 of them ordered.

3. Play tennis - the weather has been beautiful and I want the exercise

4. Get my photographs in order (A project for Spring Break)

5 Spring cleaning . . . (thank goodness for Spring Break)

6. Get my garden started

7. Make a t-shirt quilt for a friend's daughter.

And now to catch up on the 52 list challenge from Meet Me At Mikes

Favorite Words and Good Stuff to Eat for Breakfast . . . nothing fancy - just typing my lists to get caught up. 

Favorite words . . . don't know if I have ever thought about this, but let me give it a try.

favorite words . . .  for one reason or another

love

origami

                                                                 apocalypse (just fun to say . . . sort of a family joke)

granddaughter

                                  Ooola  (not be a real word)

family

                                   bastard (another family joke)

Good Stuff to Eat for Breakfast

Coffee - unfortunately usually what I have for breakfast
English Muffin and yogurt

Leftover with Eggs

Mixed Fruit

Bagels w/Cream Cheese

French Toast

Breakfast Casserole

Toast and Eggs

So I am caught up on my list challenges . . .

I saw this sign yesterday while out shopping . . . thought it was funny.

Busy day today . . . but mostly doing the things that I want to do.



52 Lists . . . and Saturday Seven (on Sunday again)

Here is this week's list from the 52 list challenge from Meet Me at Mikes

Better a little late than never . . . it has been one of those weeks again.

Some of my favorite flowers and a bonus list - Messy Things I Like . . .

 

And also the Saturday Seven from planettreasures

Amazing Buildings . . . I decided just to search amazing building and came up with these seven . . .

This building makes music when it rains - I would live to hear this.  I do wonder if people live in this building - that it may be hard to sleep when it is raining . . . or would you eventually just get used to the sound?

Casa Batllo - love how this one looks . . . would love to see this one

Cologne Cathedral in Germany

Hotel Inntel - Zaandam, Netherlands

Is a tower considered a building????  - Eiffel Tower . . . I think it is beautiful!

Flatiron Building - NYC  I love buildings like this - sitting on a corner

I am not sure of the name of this one - but I believe it is Ireland.

 

I am caught up on my lists for this past week.  I am going to enjoy the rest of my weekend - although I have way to much to do in a very short time - and I look forward to next week's list.

 

Saturday Seven - fabulous male actors

Saturday Seven at planettreasures

This weeks list of seven is Fabulous Male Actors . . .

Denzel Washington

In no particular order and for no one reason here are my choices for my favorite seven male actors.  If I had to have a number one - it would be Denzel.

Johnny Depp 

 I love watching him act.

Jim Carrey

  He's a little out there - but he makes me laugh and I think his comedy can be brilliant.

Robert Downey Jr. 

I think he is an excellent actor - although I do not like the movie Ironman.

Tom Hanks

I don't think I have ever seen him in anything - that I haven't enjoyed.  Excellent actor!

Norman Reedus

 . . . for no other reason that I am enjoying his character in "The Walking Dead"

Leonardo Di Caprio

 

I could have had a longer list . . . that would have included George Clooney, Robert de Niro, Matt Damon, Ryan Gosling . . . to name a few.

52 Lists . . . Things I Do Everyday

I need to get this week's list posted . . . I have been so busy - so it is a little late.  I tend to be a creature of habit . . . so this list could be so long.  This is what I came up with.



Part of the 52 list challenge I joined @ Meet Me At Mikes

Silly Lily!  She is my "heart" for the day!  Love, Love, Love this girl!!!!!

52 Lists - Snacks . . . and today's heart

 

Some of my favorite snacks . . . it seems like this list should be longer - but this is what I came up with. ( I really miss eating kohlrabi.  I haven't had much luck growing it - and since my dad passed away - I don't get the benefits of his garden when I go home to visit.)  I may have to try planting in my garden again this year.  I probably should have put potstickers on my list more than once . . . can't seem to get enough of those when we make them. 

Not to late to join the 52 list challenge here . . . Meet Me At Mikes

Today's heart is on a tree in our back yard.  A few years ago a rather large branch broke off the tree,  leaving it looking like this.  We thought about taking this tree out - but every time I look at it - I am glad that we didn't.  I guess I can't look at a heart without feeling something positive . . . (sort of why I started posting pictures of the hearts that I see.)  A couple of year ago I was out for a walk - feeling sort of sorry for myself because of something that I was going through at the time and on the sidewalk there was a heart in the concrete . . . not carved or drawn in - it was done on the surface when the concrete was finished.  It was faint - you could barely see it.  In fact I had walked that way before and had never noticed it.  I tend to believe there are signs out there - if we just stop and take the time to notice.  I took that as a sign to stop feeling sorry for myself - and that no matter what happens or how tough things may seem at times - I will get through it . . .

 I've been reading through quotes this morning.  I couldn't decide which one of these I like the best - so you get them both.   

 

 “Having a rough morning? Place your hand over your heart. Feel that? That's called purpose. You're alive for a reason.

Don't give up."  ~ Unknown

 

"There is always music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it". ~Minnie Aumonier

 

Saturday Seven - Movies

This weeks list of seven things . . .  that I decided to join in on after seeing it at planettreasures

7 Movies - (These 7 movies can be your favorites, or just 7 that you have seen (or can remember seeing), or 7 that you would like to talk about because they stimulate discussion.)

This one seems so easy - but there are so many movies I like for so many different reasons . . . so let me just pick seven . . . movies that I can watch over and over. 

 

1.  It's A Wonderful Life - No matter how many times I see this movie - I cry at the end.

2.  Moulin Rouge

3.  Meet the Fockers - I don't know what it is about this movie - it just make me laugh!

4.  Signs - love the idea behind this one . . . that everything happens for a reason.

5. Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy, Bourne Ultimatum - I know that is three . . . but we will watch them all in a row so counting that as one long movie.

6.  Forrest Gump

7.  Practical Magic

 

52 Lists . . . list #5

 

Here is list #5 - of the 52 list challenge from Meet Me At Mikes

. . . I think I need to add one more.  I like the smell of newspaper and pencils.  (together)   This is sort of a weird one . . . my grandma always did the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper and whenever I smell this combination - it reminds me of her.


Saturday Seven #3 - Favorite Summertime Activities

Saturday Seven - I joined up for the 52 week challenge at planettreasure

 

Summertime . . . my favorite time of year and as I am thinking about this list I can't help but wish it was 95 degrees instead of 45 degrees.  But I was complaining about the cold last week while eating lunch . . . I opened up my fortune cookie and it read . . . "The weather is wonderful"  I took that as a sign to stop complaining and just enjoy where I am at . . . even if it is 45 degrees.  Anyway - summer will be here eventually and some of my favorite summertime activities . . .

 

1.  Laying in the sun - I am one of those people that love to be in the sun . . . it can be 105 and I can lay out in the heat.  (Unfortunately I was diagnosed with melanoma not too long ago - so my sun worshipping days are over - and I advise everyone to be sensible when out in the sun.)  I still lay by the pool - but slathered in sunscreen, under an umbrella, wearing a big hat to shade my face . . .    

2.  Playing tennis - I wish I had taken up this sport when I was younger.  My husband is an excellent player and a pretty good coach - so he has me hitting the ball pretty good these days.  Great exercise!

3.  Going for a bike ride - I ride my bike so many places when the weather is warm.  I have this great basket - so I try to ride to the grocery store, when we go hit tennis balls, and even to work.  Although taking Lily out for a ride to the park is the most fun.

 

4.  Pool time - especially watching Lily and Uncle Jake.  Since she was a baby - these two have always had fun in the pool.  Each summer she starts out hesitant and afraid of the water . . . it doesn't take long before Jake gains her trust and she is having a great time.

5.  Visiting Iowa - I don't work during the summer, so I always use that time to go visit my family and friends in Iowa.  At this point I have lived away from Iowa longer than I live in Iowa . . . but it will always be home to me.  I grew up in a wonderful small town - I love going back there each year. 

Unfortunately I don't know if I will get back there this summer.  My mother recently moved to where my brother lives and I will go visit them this summer in another state.  (I am thinking taking Mom to Iowa for a visit is an excellent idea.)

6.  Gardening (and working in the yard) - My garden is small . . . a few raised beds - but I love being out there when it is warm and sunny.  There is nothing like the taste of home grown vegetables in the summer.  Our temperatures get quite high during the summer - so we usually try to get the yard work done early in the day . . . which then leads to # 7 on my list.

7.  A cold beer . . .

I thought I was missing summer when I started this post . . . now I really am.  Fortunately our summer weather comes early and it is a long season.  Until then - I will control my wimpy attitude about the colder temperatures - I have plenty to do indoors these days.

Have a wonderful day!

List Challenge . . . list #4

 

List #4 . . . of the 52 list challenge

Favorite childhood TV shows . . . my age shows on this one.  I remember our TV watching was very limited.  We watched cartoons on Saturday morning and maybe for a half our or so after school.  I'm sure we watched more during the winter when the weather kept us inside more. 



52 list challenge @ Meet Me At Mikes

Saturday 7 . . . on Sunday

Favorite food lists are not easy for me for some reason . . . don't know why - but let me give it a try.  In no particular order here it is.  I don't know if this first item on my list qualifies as a food - but since I look forward to the first taste every morning, the first item on my list is . . . 

1. Coffee - I really try to limit how much coffee I drink, but so enjoy that first cup in the morning.
2. Cesar Salad w/Chicken
3. Potstickers (Chinese dumplings) - I can eat so many of these it is ridiculous. 
4. Butterscotch Cream Pie - my mother used to make this for my birthday instead of cake.
5. Fresh tomatoes from the garden - those from the store don't do much for me, but from the garden they are so delicious
6. Italian food 
7. Eggs - I can eat an egg on top of practically anything . . . I am just trying to remember what leftovers I have in the fridge that I can throw an egg on top of for breakfast.

I joined this 52 list challenge here . . .planettreasures

 



"It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." -Lewis Grizzard





List Challenge . . . list #3

List #3 - in the 52 list challenge that I joined at Meet Me At Mikes

I usually do not go to movies in the theater.  I am hard of hearing and for years just stopped going.  I wear hearing aids now - but even with them it isn't always enjoyable . . . louder does not always mean I can hear it better.  If only theaters would show movies once a week with captions for the hearing impaired.  Anyway - that said . . . I wait for movies to come out on DVD.  A few of these are already out on DVD - in fact I already have a couple of them.  I just need to sit myself down with a bowl of popcorn and enjoy.  Tonight may have to be a movie night.

Saturday Seven

 

I joined a list challenge here - Meet Me At Mikes

I make lists all the time - and it is only once a week . . . Well that sounded like fun - so why not do another one here - planettreasures

Again only once a week . . . Saturday Seven. 

The first list topic for Saturday Seven is . . . My Wishes for 2013

 

I WISH . . .

1. for an end to all the violence in the world.

2. people would start taking care of our earth.

3. for Jake to get the classes he needs for school.

4. for motivation to get back into shape.  (I know - I don't really need to wish - I am in complete control of this - I just have to do it.)  : )

5. for my 1000 crane project to get some feedback.

6. for all my friends and family fighting a battle or struggling with something (whatever it may be) - that they find the answers, peace, and strength to get through.

7. I have some health issues going on - I wish for a healthy year.

 

Looking forward to next Saturday's topic.



 



List Challenge . . . list #2

52 lists . . . one a week for a year.  So I figure I am behind one week and with my personality - I have to get caught up.  (probably the same personality trait that makes me like lists.)  So here is list number two.  It is a list of quotes from my 1000 paper crane project. 

 

 “I love the ritual of drawing up lists, and there's something wonderfully satisfying about ticking tasks off.”   ~ Shaida Kazie Ali

List Challenge . . . list #1

I decided to join a 52 list challenge that I found at Meet me at Mikes.  It sounds like fun and I like the idea of 52 (one a week) - rather than a 365 day challenge.  So let's see how I do.

List #1 - Things I collect and keep for projects . . .

Beads

Buttons

Corks

Lace

Origami Paper

Ribbons and Trims

Yarn

This is a special project that I have going.  It is going a little slower than I anticipated . . .

but I will finish.

Peace, Love, Cranes