From Your Sonic Family...

Sonic makes the best Diet Cherry Limeades I've ever tasted. They come replete with hand squeezed limes and cherries. To make it even better Happy Hour(1/2 price drinks)is from 2-4pm. To make it even better I pick my grandson up from school at 3pm. To make it even better we pass Sonic on our way home. Good thing they're diet.

I have been stopping at Sonic off and on since November. Most days my receipt is affixed to the side of my drink with an advertisement sticker. I routinely pull it off, crumple it up and throw it away. Recently I realized a small strip of paper containing words of encouragement was also attached. I have begun each day to look forward to that little strip of paper and to be disappointed on the days I don't receive one.

The first time I read one I was amazed.

 

There doesn't seem to be many big businesses left that will risk invoking the name of God. This quote really made me stop and think. Three cheers for Sonic!!!

 Have a great day! 

  

A Work in Progress...

Here's how it all started. One day I was mentioning these old trailers people buy to restore and how I thought it was pretty cool. A friend spoke up and said she had one that had been sitting in her barn since 1985. Now I am either a procrastinator or a heavy thinker, call it what you like, but six years later I called her and to my surprise she still had it. One week later it was sitting in my yard. I immediately named her Maybelle and began cleaning up what squirrels had called home for 25 years.

Sitting in Barbara's barn.

The trip home.

 

I called my daughter to tell her about this huge project I was undertaking. She called me back later that night with an offer from her husband. If I would keep "Little Fuzzy" for him he would restore Maybelle. O.K., now that didn't quite compute in my brain. I get to keep sweet, darling little grand baby while he restores my trailer. Oh well, as you can imagine I jumped at the opportunity.

She is now over half-way complete. I talked to the upholstery shop today. The seats will be ready next week. Can't wait to decorate and take her on her maiden voyage.

 

A work in progress.

Sock Monkeys Galore...

 

In my profile you will notice I collect sock monkeys. I love the old ones, but just about any kind will do. In the beginning I named them and could actually tell you their names, but I gave that up as the collection grew. I do remember however, that there was Marcell and Marcie (the twins), Michael, Mitchell, Mavis... oh well enough of that.

 I have made several, but not always out of the correct socks. You can use any socks you desire for a unique look, but the Red Heel Rockford socks are the best and are what the old original sock monkeys were made from. You can tell if they are vintage by looking at their lips. The old monkeys have more of an orange color rather than true red.

I glued felt on for the eyes and nostrils and  used the toe of a third sock for the hat. The last pair of Red Heel socks I bought came from Walmart. You may have to order them on-line, but check your store first.

These are really fun to make and kids love them. I made one for each of my two great-nephews when they were 3 and 8. They still have them and they are 13 and 18 now. Those monkeys have been the topic of many conversations over the years.

I purchased a book at the Houston Quilt show called "Contemporary Classics by Liberty Homestead" it has some really cute patterns in it for clothes. The ones I saw were made out of flannel and so cute I couldn't resist buying the book.

Here is the pattern for making a sock monkey. If you decide to make one good luck and let me know how it turns out.

MATERIALS:
• One pair Rockford Red Heel Socks.
• Cotton batting or polyester fiber for stuffing.
• Red embroidery thread for smile.
• Black embroidery thread for eyes.
• All purpose thread.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Turn sock inside out.
2. Sew a seam (A) 1/2" on both sides of center of sock starting 3" from the white of the heel and across the end of top. Cut socks between seams and to within 1-1/2" of white heel. This leaves an opening in crotch.
3. Then turn sock so seams are inside and use crotch opening to stuff head, body and legs.
ARMS:
4. Cut the upper part of the sock into two pieces. Seam, rounding ends and stuff the arms.
MOUTH:
5. Cut the heel from the sock, leaving a brown edge around the white. Fasten on lower part of the face, whipping around the bottom; stuff and finish sewing around the top. The mouth can be improved by running stitch of either black or white across the middle of the lips.
TAIL:
6. Cut a 1" strip, taper to end of cuff on length of front of sock. Seam and stuff.
EARS:
7. Cut the ears from the remaining brown part of the sole of the sock.
EYES:
8. Sew on moving eyes; buttons, felt, or embroider with black thread.
 

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If Roses Grow in Heaven...

If roses grow in heaven, Lord pick a bunch for me. Place them in my mother's arms and tell her they're from me. Tell her I love her and miss her and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile. Because remembering her is easy, I do it everyday, but there's an ache within my heart that never goes away.~~author unknown

My mother at 15.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Tiny Miracles...

Sometimes things happen that are so small and insignificant that we forget to be thankful. Occasionally they are so tiny that we even forget they're miracles. That happened to me about ten years ago.

I walked out the front door to get in the car and there it was...the tiniest, tiny pine tree I had ever seen. Perhaps one inch high at most. I squealed as if it were the best Christmas present ever. My husband and two kids came running, expecting to find, I don't know what. When they saw it they laughed. I convinced hubby he needed to go get a piece of wood and stake that tiny thing for fear he might mow it down. They laughed some more. He drove the stake in and they laughed some more.

 Here it is some ten years later. Tall and straight.

Needless to say they aren't laughing now and hubby says he is continuously looking on the ground for others. Oh, and did I tell you it is even in the perfect spot. Thank you Lord for tiny miracles that grow to become big miracles.

    

The Perfect Camera Bag...

Earlier this year I received a camera as a gift and since that time I have been shopping for the perfect camera bag. With the help of my son-in-law I found one and ordered it from Amazon. It has a place for camera, accessories and laptop. It is a Pelican bag and is perfect to ensure your camera and laptop are safe while traveling. I love it, however, it is a bit too large for everyday use.

Tonight as I was visiting different blogs I came across what looks and sounds like the perfect bag to carry on outings. I couldn't wait to pass this information on.

Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PorteenGear

I haven't ordered one yet, but am thinking seriously about it. It appears to be roomy enough for a camera, lens, and pocketbook without being too bulky. There are several colors and patterns to choose from or you can customize it. 

Here is one that caught my eye.

A Room With A View...

I have been trying to decide for a couple of weeks what book to read next on Kindle. I first thought I might like to read Hemmingway and then decided on A Room With A View. The name has an intriguing ring to it. I started it today.

Books I have read this year:

1. The Virgin Blue: A Novel
2. The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible
3. Memories of the Old Plantation Home
4. Sunday at Tiffany's
5. Little Women
6. Wind in the Willows
7. My Utmost for His Highest (again & again)
8. Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope

Top five picks for summer reads:

1. Mark of the Lion Series--Francine Rivers(must read)
2. The Lady and The Unicorn--Tracey Chevalier
3. Water for Elephants--Sarah Gruen
4. Annie's People Series--Beverly Lewis
5. To Kill A Mockingbird--Harper Lee

I never go anywhere without a book. Hope you find some of these worth the read.

HAPPY READING!!!