Last Day of March

Our Bradbury Pear trees are blooming!

Ms. Pinkie Cotton Tail welcomes you to our home for Easter.

Our Serviceberry tree is blooming too!

I'm fussing around in our kitchen again.  

This time I attached a cute tray to our kitchen cabinet (love those 3M Command Strips!).

My parents had three little dogs many years ago...a miniature Dachshund, a Yorkie and a Maltese.  

I'm not sure where they found this cute dog tray but it's an adorable reminder of their cute Yorkie, Little Bit. 

For the last day in March it's been rather ugly here...totally overcast, gray, dark and chilly with just drizzles of rain most of the day. 

Here's hoping tomorrow the sun will come back!    

My Bird House

When my father-in-law retired many years ago his family knew he would need a hobby to keep him busy as he wasn't a man who liked to sit for long. His sons pitched in and bought him a scroll saw. He loved it and spent hours making items to give away to family and friends. This little bird home is one he made for us. I painted it and it proudly hangs in our Master Bedroom now.

I think of all the fun times we had at my in-laws whenever I pass by this cute little home. 

 How we miss them...they were wonderful parents and raised three fantastic sons.

Cherish every day with your love ones. 

 Too soon they are gone and only the memories are left.

Wish you could join me for a cup of coffee...I would love to sit and chat with you. Whereever you are... please sit down and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and listen to the birds as they go about making their nests.

Enjoy your Spring!

Please join me for:

  Cindy's Show & Tell Friday

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Cherry Stripes Mat

I'm working on the edging of my kitchen credenza mat which I've now named...

 "Cherry Stripes"!

 So far I've done one round of single crochet...

I'm definitely going to have to block it...going from the granny rectangle rounds to rows threw it out of whack!

The Merry Maids just left so everything is nice and clean and all my piles are gone once again.

I cleaned my stove and oven yesterday - love self cleaning ovens! I soaked the stove burner heads in hot soapy water and lightly scrubbed them with a soft toothbrush and dried them in the warm oven. One of the heads was plugged and now is working beautifully.

Source: viv-spot.blogspot.com via Tina on Pinterest

I tried the ammonia fume treatment I read about on Pinterest (and discovered it was also recommended by the stove manufacturer) on my black iron grates and drip pans. However, I didn't see any different results then from my usual method of using hot soapy water.  Maybe they just weren't that dirty or I should have let them sit overnight.

Of course I do!

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Mad About "Mad Men"

Did you watch the first episode of Season 5 "Mad Men" this past Sunday?

I did...I was almost afraid it wasn't coming back.  

Megan, Don's new 2nd wife, sang a cute, little French song for Don at a surprise 40th birthday party for him.  

I was a teenager in the 1960s and remember that decade well...the early 60s were more like the 1950s before the Beatles, Hippies and the Vietnam war era.  This season is set in 1967...now we're seeing short skirts and "flower power".  I was of the generation that never and I mean NEVER got to wear short skirts to school..no slacks or shorts either.  I loved the 1970s and the freedom to wear blue jeans to college classes!  

Here's another cute version of the song I found on Pinterest...

Gillian Hills – Zou bisou bisou (1962)

(Remember the stiff, pointy brassieres....soooooo glad they are out of fashion!!!)

Oh! Kiss kiss / My God, they are sweet! / …Oh! Kiss kiss / the sound of kisses /…Oh! Kiss kiss /…That means, I confess / But yes, I love only you!

Now I'm waiting for the new season of "The Game of Thrones" to start on April 1st!

Love good TV!

Red in the Kitchen

I put aside the green dishcloth - it was too frustrating trying to figure out that double crochet anchor stitch (posted about here).

I'm now making a table mat for our credenza in our kitchen. My new decorating goal is to bring touches of red to our kitchen and family room.

This is my first try at a rectangle granny (pattern here).

 The center of the mat is finished...now I'm adding stripes to each side. I like the white background with the pop of red and just a touch of blue.

I just returned from our dentist (cleanings) and I have to return next week...I have a cavity that needs to be filled! Bummer!

Hope your day is going better than mine!

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It's Beginning to Look Like...

EASTER!

Would you believe me if I told you I just took down my Valentine's mantel today?
 It's the sad truth.

But now that the birds are singing...the trees are budding out and spring is here in all it's glory I better get a move on it and start decorating for Easter.

Unfortunately the weeds are also here taking over the yard. LOL!

 We turned the furnace off today and opened the french door to our screened in porch. I love this time of year before the humidity takes over and the house is shut up for AC.

Did I ever tell you the story of Ms. Ugly...my bunny head?

 My Aunt Jeanne and I loved to go shopping.  We went to the cute town of St. Charles in the Chicago area and found what we thought were delightful bunnies to display at Easter.  We proudly showed them off to our hubbies when we returned home to which my hubby said, "That is the ugliest bunny I have ever seen!"   My aunt and I took a really good look and totally agreed!

That was many years ago so every time I bring out Ms. Ugly I think of my fun times shopping with my sweet aunt...who by the way turns 86 years young this month.

 Happy Birthday Aunt Jeanne!

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Wall Happy

I'm moving things around in my kitchen. The chalk board over the stove was moved to my teacup wall.  

How do you like my new saying?

(Love, just love those 3M Command Strips!)

I found another Morton Salt tray upstairs and added it to the wall...and rearranged my framed embroidery and Teddy Bear clock...

I may add another small tray with touches of red in it to the wall.

Now I have to get busy replacing the worn carpet in our family room. I'm trying to decide if I want to have a wood floor installed with a large area rug or just re-carpet the whole room.

Ah...design decisions....

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Stumped Again

I can't believe a "simple" dishcloth #12 pattern has me stumped!

I'm on round three (that's right just round three) and I'm trying to figure out how to do this "anchor double crochet" stitch...

Either I will finally figure it out or I will move on to something else. 

 Patience is not usually my thing.

Oh...by the way I meant to share this photo of a Mickey Mouse logo we saw on an RV while driving around Ft. Wilderness (Walt Disney World, Florida). 

 Isn't it cute?

Yes...I.will try to keep calm! 

 Back to that darn stitch...

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My "April Sky Blue" Bench Cover

I finished my crocheted bench cover which I have named "April Sky Blue".



The top seat area is done in Sarah London's "Wool-Eater" stitch. I mostly doubled crochet in shells around the sides adding various rounds in yarn shades of white, cream and light yellow.



I'm pleased as punch with the textured look and feel of the bench cover.



I love Edie's "Crochet Borders" book.


I modified and used just the last round of #127 on the edging.




It goes perfectly in our blue and white Master Bathroom!

What's next?

Well...I have another bench in our Master Bedroom that needs a new look....


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Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I had trouble sleeping last night - not sure why...



Finally slept after 4 AM but I'm up now and wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day! Isn't this doggie cute all dressed up for Paddy's Day?



(Images from Pinterest)


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Crochet ❤

Maybe this fantastic crocheted chair is for the more experienced of hookers...

Let's start with a pretty pink potholder...

Lovely flowers to use anywhere...

More pink sweetness for your special little girl..

Granny square colorful goodness little bags...

Granny square tote bag...who wouldn't want one of these?

I keep looking at my plain kitchen chairs and want to dress them up like these!

You all know I want to do a pink throw someday!

Granny "cushion" heaven...

I smile everytime I look at this adorable cup holder.


If this doesn't inspire you...hop over to Pinterest cuz there is lots more delicious crochet to admire!




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