Blackberry Creek Home Arts

Beautiful Blog Giveaway

Alison Gibbs already had a wonderful blog. And now she has opened a webstore that you will certainly want to check out. And listen to this: to celebrate the opening of this new store, Alison is having a blog giveaway. The photo shows the prizes you have a chance to win. So hop on over to Alison's blog and sign yourself up. Make sure to visit Alison's webstore, Alison by the Bay, while you're there.

Paint Chip Bookmarkers

I made these bookmarkers today for a Swapbot bookmark swap. They were so fun to make, I think I'll make some more for my book club. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

One of our very good friends, Mr. Bill, came for a visit this morning. He brought us an entire barbecue dinner that he had prepared for us: bbq Boston butt, baked beans, potato salad, buns, and bbq sauce. That's what we're having for dinner. We are truly blessed with wonderful friends, many of whom are good cooks. Bill is one of those.

Two more are Paul and Karen, our neighbors across the street. On the 4th, they brought us bbq ribs and slaw. And before that, Paul had brought us homemade pea soup and homemade butter. No wonder I can't lose any weight.

I think maybe I have the problem with Typepad solved so that everyone can now get on my blog. I've deleted the LinkWithin widget and a few more. Please let me know by e-mail (suscleve@aol.com) if you have more trouble. Of course, if you can't log on, there's no way you can read this message is there? Hmmmm.

Vann's doctor thinks he might possibly have a case of colitis, which is causing his abdomenal pain. The chemo kills all the good germs as well as the bad cancer, which often leads to these types of infections. So Vann didn't have his chemo on Monday. Instead, he had some lab work done to see what, if any, infections he might have. We haven't heard from these tests yet. He's scheduled for chemo this coming Monday.

Little Lamb Quilting

I forgot to show this photo yesterday of the quilting design on the Little Lamb quilt. I also forgot to tell you it was quilted by Donna of Donna's in the Attic. I just love her quilting. This is the third piece she has done for me, and I've been very pleased with each one.

I also want to say that I've removed a lot of the widgety things from my blog, including the Link Within widget. I hope nobody else has trouble logging on. If you do, please let me know.

Time to Quilt

Mares eat oats,

And does eat oats,

And little lambs eat ivy.

A kid'll eat ivy too,

Wouldn't you?

***

This quilt is so happy, it just makes me want to sing and type everything in color.

I made the quilt for one of my very best, oldest friends. (Well, actually, I'm older than she is, as she will readily tell you.) Her name is Linda B, and yeah, she's too old for this quilt, but her new granddaughter won't be, her very first grandchild, this will be, due any day now.

Kelly at Charming Chatter is hosting this Charming Girls' Quilt Club. I decided to join, not just because I'm so charming (which I am, of course) but because it sounds like a good way to get some unfinished projects finished and have some fun at the same time.

Members of the Charming Girls commit to finishing one UFO a month. For each project finished, the members receives one chance to win a $25 gift certificate. BTW, finished quilt tops count as one project, and the same quilt quilted and bound qualifies for another chance.

I'm sure I made all that clear as mud, so if you'd like to know more, just visit Kelly and read all about it. There are other fun activities you should know about. Below is the project I vow to finish in July. It's my Charisma "Bundt Cake" quilt.

T'was the Night Before Fireworks

One of my favorite bloggers is Kai. There are so many reasons that I love this woman, but the one that sits right up front is her generous spirit and big, warm heart. I got a package from Kai today: a book and some other goodies. Don't feel like taking photos right now--later.

But now look at this award Kai has passed on the Blackberry Creek. I'm just tickled me silly. But this one comes with strings attached. As a Kreativ Blogger Award recipient, I'm required to name 7 things I love and then pass this award on to 7 other bloggers. So here goes.

Now everybody knows I love Vann and Sophie, my family, Jesus, my friends, fabric, books, coffee, pajamas--you know, all the obvious things. I think for this, I'm going to try to name 7 things that I love that aren't obvious.

1. Rain

2. Bowls

3. Keifer Sutherland

4. New Crayons

5. Paint Chips

6. Olives

7. Pretty Pillow Cases

So now I have to name 7 deserving bloggers, and you're all deserving, so how do i do this? Let's see. How about:

 1. Ramey at The Painted Possum

2. Judith at Green Quilts

3. Lisa at The Pipkin House

4. Joanne at Sourwood Mountain

5. Donna at Donna's in the Attic

 6. Gayle at Sparkle Jars

7. Andrea at Under the Blue Moon

Click on the links to visit any of these most creative bloggers. You'll be glad you did.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, EVERYONE!

HAPPY 233RD BIRTHDAY, AMERICA.

HAPPY 98TH BIRTHDAY, DADDY!

Summer Reading Challenge

 

I always loved the summer reading programs at the library when my kids were little. (Our little town didn't have a library when I was a kid.) Now I've found a summer reading program for grown-ups. Susan at A Southern Daydreamer Reads is hosting a 2009 Summer Reading Challenge. It's pretty simple. The gist of the thing is to list some books you want to read this summer and read them. That's a real simplified version of Susan's rules; so if you're interested in joining her challenge, go to her blog and read the real rules.

Here is my Summer Reading Challenge 2009 Book List:

The Terror by Dan Simmons

Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles

Summer of Night by Dan Simmons

A Winter Haunting by Dan Simmons

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Hour Game by David Baldacci

Deception Point by Dan Brown

Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas

Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire

Missing Sisters by Gregory Maguire

Watership Down by Richard Adams (reread)

...and maybe more!

*****

In other news: Typepad now tells me that some people who have the Links Within widget (that makes those little pictures at the end of each post and lets readers jump to previous posts) has caused bloggers the problem of readers not being to log on. So I'm going to remove mine tomorrow and see if that helps.

Blasted Blog!!!!

I've heard from several of you who have had problems logging onto my blog or leaving comments. I know how frustrating this can be, so I asked Typepad what the problem might be. At the end of this post, in red, is Typepad's answer.

The answer doesn't make sense to me, but then I'm functionally illiterate when it comes to most things computer. It sounds like they think I'm the one having the problem logging on.

I'll look into my widgets and scripts (????) and see if I can find the problem. But don't hold you breath. There are definitely some things I can remove that are out of date.

I'm also going to answer Typepad's note and make sure they know what I asked.

Thank you for your patience, and I'm so sorry some of you are having problems with this. Below is the Typepad note:

The most common cause of this problem is that one or more of the

scripts or widgets you are using on your sidebar is either incompatible
with your browser or with another script.

We recommend removing the sidebar items one at a time under Weblogs >
Design > Select Content. When the page loads without error, you will
know which script is causing the problem. 

If this is a TypeList or a widget from our gallery, please report it to
us and we will be able to further troubleshoot the issue.

We hope this helps. Please let us know if you have problems still.

Thanks,
Zalary

Some Days Are Diamonds

I think that will be the title of this quilt.

I got some sewing done yesterday: one more Futterby (Some Days Are Diamonds) block, one more Charisma (Bundt Cake) row, and the binding partially sewn down on the baby quilt. Today I'm working to finish the binding and to find the leftover fabric from the baby quilt to make a pillow case.

Don't you just hate it when you know you have something, you can see it in your mind zipped up in a plastic bag, you even know in what order the fabrics are stacked. In fact, you know everything about that fabric except WHERE YOU PUT IT!!!! I have looked high and low in that darn sewing room and can't find it.

So I've decided to take a break, think about something else, and maybe I'll have an epiphany. 

To see another beautiful version of the Flutterby design, go to Dokiquilts to see Dorothy's beautiful interpretation, created with "Barefoot Roses" fabrics by Grand Revival Designs. Dorothy's quilt has a soft, romantic look. It's lovely.

While I was searching and searching and searching for that baby quilt fabric, I found so many projects that I have started or just planned to start--quilts and things that I really want to make. I'm going to have to use Nicole's suggestion of quilting at least one hour every day and see if I can get as much done as she does. That woman! She holds down two jobs, takes care of two dogs, a husband, and a home, and still turns out quilt after beautiful quilt. 

Happiness is a Cool Dog

This is mostly where our girl Sophie likes to be during these scorching summer days. Like me, she just doesn't appreciate summer. Give us a good old cold day anytime. All the better to play outside--so says Sophie.

Sophie has made the back of this love seat hers for the last seven years plus. The back cushions are hopelessly smooshed. I want new living room furniture, but Sophie would never forgive me if I got rid of her nest. So I guess we keep the worn and smooshed pieces. Isn't it something how we let little critters dictate our home furnishings?

Great success at the doctor's office yesterday. Blood tests showed Vann's counts (red, white, and platelets) were way, way up. So he had his chemo. He is feeling much, much better today than he has for the past three weeks. The pain in his tummy is just about gone and he has more energy. In fact, he went out today and did some yard work, which I thought to be ill advised, but try to tell a man or a dog--huh? But after a quick nap on the couch (Vann on the big couch, Soph on the love seat), they were both up and out and making their rounds of the neighborhood. That's where they are now.

I have to tell you this: As we were driving to the doctor's office, I was saying my prayers as I usually do. I asked God to please let the blood counts be up just enough so that Vann could take his chemo. Ask God for an inch, and he'll give you a mile. The counts had soared, as I said before. Hey you guys, God wasn't kidding when he told us to ask for what we need. Go ahead. I dare you. Try it. You'll see.

A Summer Visit

These are our sweet friends, Summer and Gregg, who visited us this weekend from Georgia. Gregg is sort of like one of Vann's kids. When he was a little fellow, Gregg would spend part of each summer with Vann and his first wife before their children came along.

Gregg and Summer were married a couple of weeks ago, and we weren't able to attend. So they brought the happy couple to us--and they are happy. You can tell by being with them that they've both found soul mates. Congrats to you, kiddos. We love you both.

Summer, it so happens, is a for-real dog person. She and Sophie hit it off right away. Sophie was sad to see her go and hope she comes back soon.

Vann is scheduled for chemo this afternoon--that is if his blood counts are up enough. Please say a prayer that they will be. Although the treatments make him feel bad, he doesn't want to miss too many.

Still hot here. I can't remember a year recently when June has been this hot. It almost rained yesterday. We were disappointed that the black clouds and thunder were just a tease.

More Quilt Show Beauties

Here are some more offerings from Birmingham Quilters Guild's 2009 QuiltFest, held last weekend. Click on pics to enlarge.

You Asked

Here's what I've been working on this week.

Finishing this:


Starting this:






Binding this:

Reading this: 

***QUESTION: One blog reader says she has been having more and more problems accessing my blog. She gets an error message. Have any of you been having this problem? Please let me know if you have so I can contact Typepad. Thanks.***

Heavy Hearted

Today we lost an angel and a thriller. 

Rest in Peace Farrah and Michael.

Farrah Fawcett

1947-2009

Michael Jackson

1958-2009

Feels Like Monday

We put Amy on her plane to Portland last evening. Well, actually we just drove her to the airport. She really put herownself on the plane. We were all sad to see her go. Sophie wanted to go with her, I think.

I can't even believe it's Wednesday. I guess since our Father's Day weekend went on a couple of extra days with Amy, it just feels like Monday.

Thanks to everyone who gave me frying pan ideas. I have lots of good info and will start some research right away.

Vann is feeling much better. I think Amy's visit did the trick. Doesn't he look happy in the photo? That man loves his kids--all of them. And his dog. And me.

I have a baby quilt to bind and I'm actually working on blocks for two quilts at once. So I have plenty to do in the sewing room today. Let's see if I can't get my self in there.

Out of the Frying Pan

My life is full of quests: quests for a comfortable pair of shoes, a comfortable bra, a swim suit that hides all my imperfections, a non-stick frying pan whose non-stickiness will not come loose from the pan. It is this last quest I wish to talk about here.

I've tried all kinds of frying pans, but have not yet solved this problem. What I want is one of those pans you see the cooks on The Food Channel using. The ones that don't have any non-stick coatings on them, but somehow seem to possess the non-stick quality. Every time I try to use a pan without the coating, I just get a mess of stuck-on food.

So I'm asking you for suggestions. Where could I find such a pan--one that is either uncoated or whose coating will stay put through many fryings. Got any suggestions?

Vann Report

No chemo yesterday. Vann's blood counts were down too low to have treatments. But Dr. L. did change his pain medication and that seems to be working. He's feeling better this morning than he has for the past week. He and Amy have gone shopping. We'll return on Monday next to see if his blood is up for treatment. Keep those praying coming, please.

Amy goes home this evening. That's the only bad thing about visits from out-of-town kids--they eventually have to go home.

Weekend Hangover

Has this been a busy weekend or what?!?!

*Three trips to the quilt show (14 miles from my house)

*Surprise visit (well surprise for Vann and Sophie; I knew she was coming) from our daughter Amy who lives in Portland, Oregon

*Father's Day dinner of crock pot barbecue, beans, and slaw

*Visit from our friends Horace and Shakey this morning. They stopped by on their way to Wyoming. They just left.

Is that all? I think that's all for now. We have chemo this afternoon. The last treatment made Vann feel so bad for so long; we're really not looking forward to this one.

I hope all of you had a great Father's Day, either spending time with your father or a father you love. My own dad passed away in 1977, and I've missed him every day of my life since then. Vann's dad lives in south Georgia. He spoke to him by phone, as he does every morning.

Gotta go now. Working on some quilt blocks.

Some QuiltFest Favorites

With more than 400 quilts shown in Birmingham Quilters Guild's 2009 quilt show, it's impossible to show all of them here. It would be too hard to even show all my favorites. There were so many, many unbelieveably awesome quilts. And with so many visitors jockeying for position to see the quilts, picture-taking conditions were less than perfect. Here are just a smattering of the great pieces I was able to photograph.

In Memory of Lost Friends

Click on any photo to enlarge.

Let's Go to the Movies

Nicole at Sister's Choice has challenged me to name some movies that had an impact on my life. I've thought a lot about this since reading her challenge. And I just have to say that movies in general had an impact on me. And still do.

Above is a picture of the place where my sister Ramey and I spent most Saturday afternoons when we were kids, the Roxy Theatre in my hometown. Movies were a huge part of my childhood. They were my entertainment, my fun, and my escape.

If memory serves, the admission price was ten cents until we turned 12 years old; then we had to pay 25 cents. The girl who sold the tickets (she sat at a window just to the right of the entrance on the outside of the theatre--just under the Y in ROXY in the photo) used to try to make me pay 25 cents when I was 10 and 11 because I was tall for my age. Popcorn was 5 cents for a bag, a Pepsi was a dime. 

There was always a double feature on Saturday. And you could stay as long as you wanted. You didn't have to leave when the movie was over like you do now. Most times, Mama would drop us off after lunch and pick us up near bedtime. Or we'd call her when we got ready to go home. They let us use the phone to call home.

We loved scary movies like "The Tingler," "House on Haunted Hill," "The Blob," "The Thing," and "It Came From Outer Space." But I think the one we remember most is "The Tingler." 

The movie opens with William Castle himself, the godfather of 50s horror movies, giving a warning to the audience. He tells us that we will experience the same feelings that the characters in the movie feel. He says that if any time we feel a tingling sensation in our spines, we should scream as loud as we can. That's the only way to get rid of the tingler, a big old many-legged monster that looks a lot like a giant ear wig. (Do you feel any tingling in you spine yet?)

About midway through the movie, Mr. Castle comes back on the screen to tell us that the tingler is loose in the theatre. You could see the silhouette of the vile thing on the  screen and we just knew at any minute, it would be down where we were, attaching its awful self to our spine. Scream! Scream! Scream if you don't want the tingler to get you. And scream we did. We all, everyone in the audience I think, pulled our feet up in the seats and let loose blood-curdling screams.

Oh it was awful. But needless to say, they caught the tingler and he didn't get any of us. And did that cure us of watching horror movies? It did not. It didn't even cure us of watching "The Tingler." We saw that movie several times, and every time William Castle showed up to tell us to scream, we did. Even today, if one of us mentions that movie, we both shiver and go eeeeewww.

But not all movies that have impacted me have been B movies. One of my favorites, "The Godfather," (book and movie) began my  interest in the history of the mafia. "Old Yeller"  made me stop watching movies in which the dog dies. They tricked me with "Turner and Hooch." I didn't see that one coming. And I voluntarily watched "Marley and Me," even though I knew the ending. I wanted to see the funny stuff.

"2001: A Space Odyssey" (book and movie) began my fascination with cosmology and quantum physics.

"Gone With the Wind" made me oh so proud to be southern; "To Kill a Mockingbird" made me rethink just why I was proud to be southern--which I still am (southern and proud of it).

The love-story movies of the 60s gave me a most unrealistic look at what it meant to be in love: The message in "A Summer Place" told us that we could go ahead and have premarital you-know-what at 16; everything would turn out story-book wonderful in the end. But "Where the Boys Are" disabused us of that notion when Paula Prentiss or Delores Hart or whoever walked out into traffic after sleeping with Jim Hutton or some cute guy. I think we were probably the last generation to buy that message.

"I Want to Live" and later "In Cold Blood" made me question the humanity of capital punishment. "Jaws" was the first movie that I missed most of because I had my eyes covered. "The Exorcist" was the scariest movie I ever saw. "The French Connection" was the first movie I saw which used the F word. 

But the two movies that have had the greatest impact on  me as a woman have to be "Thelma and Louise" and "The Stepford Wives." (Although it was really the Stepford Wives book that first ticked me off.) I at once admired and condemned Thelma and Louise for their leap into the canyon. I under- stand that they felt death would be better than being dominated by less than perfect men. But why didn't they just leave 'em?  "The Stepford Wives" just made me mad. That any man could even conceive of a culture where men would value robots over real imperfect women just made me want to kick something.

The Roxy Theatre is no more, although the building still stands. But my affection for movies lives on. What movies have left lasting impressions on you? I challenge anyone with a blog to post her own movie memories.

What's in Your Garden?

When I was growing up, it wasn't strange to ride through the country and see unusual items being used for container gardening. Large front porches and yards were often filled with petunias, pansies, zinias, and marigolds growing in lard cans, enamel dish pans, truck tires, wash tubs, and even chamber pots. There were no WalMarts back then with inexpensive plastic pots; I guess people had to make do with what they had.

These days, I get a giggle out of some of the things people come up with to use as planters. Here are a few pics I found on the Internet to illustrate the point.

 

 

For more blogging about the great outdoors, visit A Southern Daydream and check out all the wonderful blog links to Outdoor Wednesday.

Getting Ready for QuiltFest

If you're anywhere near Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham Quilters Guild invites you to it 2009 quilt show this coming weekend. See details below.

QuiltFest 2009

June 20-21, 2009Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm / Sunday: 1:00-5:00pm
Oak Mountain Middle School5650 Cahaba Valley Rd, Birmingham, Alabama
5 miles east of I-65 and 4.5 miles west of 280 on Hwy 119
Nearby hotels

Look for our now-famous car cozy!



Featuring:Judged Quilt Show with 300+ quilts
Vendors – Door Prizes – Guild Boutique
Demonstrations – Scissor/Knife Sharpening

Special Feature:
Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece by Piece
sponsored by Alacare and Hancock Fabrics

This exhibit of 52 extraordinary art quilts offers poignant 
interpretations of the Alzheimer's experience in fiber.


Major Sponsors:Hancock Fabrics
Alacare

Silent Auction:Proceeds to benefit Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama
Opportunities to Win:“Heirloom Beauty” donation quilt

Pfaff Grand Quilter and Next Generation Frame from Sewing Machine Mart

Quilting Fabrics and Gift Certificates anchored by Heart to Heart Quilt Shop

A list of our Opportunity Shop donors

Admission $5 per personChildren 5 and under, FREE

Contact InfoE-mail us or call 205-979-1303

 

Special Gifts

God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you.

--1 Peter 4:10 NLT

Thank you, Father, for the special gifts and talents you have given each one of us. Lead us to use them in ways that will help others, spreading your love through all the earth. Amen --SRC

Be sure to check out Spiritual Sunday for more inspirational posts. Happy Sunday, everyone.

Proud Quilter pattern by Amy Bradley.

Summer Reading Swap (but hurry!)

I intended to post this earlier, but didn't. I guess I forgot. I forget a lot these day. Does that mean...well, never mind. Just listen.

Kai is hosting a Summer Reading Swap that is going to be a lot of fun--especially for book lovers.

I'm in a hurry and have to leave right away, so I'll just give you a brief overview and then you can go to Kai's blog to read details of the swap.

You'll be assigned a partner. You'll send that partner: 1) a copy of one of your favorite summer reads (or a detailed description), 2) an original art work (fabric, painting, altered art, needlework, etc.) done by you that relates to the book, 3) an inexpensive purchased item that represents something mentioned in the book.

The deadline for signup for this swap is tonight, so hurry over to Kai's if you think you might be interested. I was. I think I was the first to sign up. (Kai says I was actually the 11th to sign up. I don't have a clue what made me think I was the first. But I had a reason. Anyway--I'M IN!) And I knew immediately which book I would use.

Let's Review

First I want to thank everyone who commented on my "100 Things" post. I had no idea those nuggets of info would interest so many. It was a fun list to create, and I'm very glad so many of you found it fun to read. I suggest you try making your own 100 Things list.

Second I want to invite you to hop over to The Katillac Shack and see Blackberry Creek's own Miss Sophie Belle Patterpaw, along with some other doggies modeling their "Play Hard" scarves. And while you're there, please consider decorating a scarf for your own furry buddy. When you send Kelee a photo of your doggie wearing her/his decorated scarf you'll: get to see him/her featured at The Katillac Shack, help Oscar get his tail back, and (most important of all) help raise money for find homes for deserving doggies and kitties.

I got my copy of the July/August issue of Love of Quilting this morning. Not sure if it's on the newstand yet, but if you don't have a subscription I suggest you get one when they are. It's one of the best yet.

First of all, there's the cover quilt, "Granny's Stars"--which I HAVE to make!! Isn't it the prettiest thing?

The materials list is right there with the instructions, of course, but you can also order a kit (ordering instructions in back of magazine), and I'm considering doing so. I know, I know, I KNOW I have projects to do stacked a mile high. But this is just so pretty, made of reproduction 30s prints. I just love it. I'm ordering it.

Then there's this very summery, patriotic quilt (see below) for those who don't care much for pastels and 30s prints.

And there's a whole section on black-and-white quilts, with instructions for making several diffferent ones. The one below is my favorite of them all.

There are details about a Project Linus Quilt Contest, which sounds not only fun but very worthwhile. Prizes include cash, workshops, and trips to Houston Quilt Festival.

You'll find many more beautiful photos, quilt patterns, tips, techniques, product reviews, book reviews, even a nod to the 30th anniversary of the rotary cutter. And more--much, much more. I love this magazine. Of course, most of you know that I have a history with it, and I could be prejudiced. But I don't think so. I just think Liz and Marianne and their staff do a bang-up job. Check it out if you haven't, and see if you think I'm right.

This is not a paid announcement, and no actors were involved. I just love the darn magazine.

100 Things

 I don't remember exactly what year this picture was taken, but I know it was before: 1) I started coloring my hair, 2) I got fat, 3) I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and 4) I stopped wearing vests. So that would make it, I guess, sometime in the late 90s or very early 21st century.

I know it was taken at our friend Horace's ranch in north Georgia, while Phillip and I were fishing. I think that might be the last time I went fishing. As you can see, I've caught a pretty healthy brem, which I threw back. I think I decided to quit while I was ahead.

Anyway, being as how I don't have anything really interesting to discuss today, and it's too hot in my sewing room to work (my sewing room, for some reason, never gets cool in the summertime), I've decided to indulge myself and bore all my readers by doing the "100 Things About Me" meme. If you can't bear to read things like this, you may be excused now. I myself love reading silly and inane facts about others. But then, one of my favorite activities is riding through neighborhoods at night and looking into lighted open windows to see what everyone has. No fooling. Anyway, here goes:

1. I'm a Christian. I love Jesus, but I don't necessarily believe that those of other faiths who truly love God are doomed.

2. I grew up and have lived most of my life in the same small town.

3. I have attended all my high school reunions (below at 1988 reunion with my three best girlfriends: left to right, Bonnie, Joyce, Linda, Me).

4. I never finished college, although I have enough major credits for a degree.

5. I love Elvis.

6. I am an avid reader, especially of fiction.

7. I am a good writer.

8. My favorite authors are Stephen King and Larry McMurtry.

10. My all-time favorite book is Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

11. I am the middle of three sisters.

12 I have been married twice. Love really is more wonderful the second time around.

13. I have obsessive interest in quantum physics.

14. I like all things Mafia: movies, books, documentaries, pasta.

15. I was never a dog person until we got our Sophie in 2002. Now I love all dogs.

16. Vann and I drove from Alabama to Warwick, NY to get Sophie because we didn't want our little puppy to fly.

17. I retired in 2001 as a craft and quilt book editor. Before that, I was a magazine writer. Before that, I worked as a substitute teacher and secretary at various jobs.

18. My favorite hobbies are quiltmaking, sewing, fabric crafts, and reading.

19. Crazy 'bout COLOR.

20. I have a good sense of humor.

21. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia six years ago.

22. I can't abide cruelty and injustice.

23. I love to sing. I wish I could do it better.

24. I am not a Beatles fan.

25. I stay in touch with my three best friends from high school (see #3).

26. I do not still have my appendix, but I do have my tonsils.

27. I never had a hysterectomy.

28. My tubes are tied.

29. My sister gave me the name Fifi Wesink, but I can't remember why.

30. I hate getting my hands dirty.

31. I don't like to play Monopoly.

32. I have two children, two stepchildren, and one grandson.

33. My favorite alcoholic drink is Pina Colado.

34. I enjoy jigsaw puzzles.

35. I collect cardinals (the birds, not the baseball players) and crosses.

36. In the past, I have collected turkeys, angels, tea pots, and teddy bears.

37. I love yard sales and thrift stores.

38. I have two cups of strong cofffee laced with french vanilla creamer each morning.

39. I can't roller skate.

40. I'm allergic to pollen, dust, cats, and I don't know whatall.

41. My favorite season is autumn.

42. My favorite holiday is Halloween.

43. I once smoked a Cuban cigar.

44. I buy too much fabric (DUH).

45. I'm addicted to "Golden Girls" reruns.

46. I have a sweet tooth the size of a woolly mammoth tusk.

47. I started smoking (cigarettes) when I was 16. I quit (mostly) when I was 40.

48. I pray every day, but this wasn't always so.

49. I enjoy all kinds of music except opera and rap.

50. My last ambition is to write a novel.

51. I like to knit and crochet in the wintertime.

52. I have recurring dream motifs: old houses and large groups of people.

53. My favorite time of day is evening.

54. I love gardens but hate gardening.

55. I like word games.

56. My ears (and nothing else) are pierced.

57. I have no tattoos.

58. I want to go to Ireland and Italy.

59. I love rainy days and snowy days.

60. My favorite spectator sport is baseball.

61. I hate hot weather.

62. Growing up, a child of the 50s, I thought every plane that flew over carried "the bomb" and was going to drop it on me.

63. I believe life on earth is a gift, a test, a responsibility, and a stopover on the way home.

64. At different times of my life I have been in love with Roy Rogers, Ricky Nelson, Eddie Fisher, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, and my first cousin Donald.

65. I like to read in bed.

66. My ethnic heritage is Native American, French, English, and Scotch-Irish.

67. Politicians, Billy Mays, and Fox News Network make me want to scream, "SHUT UP!"

68. I used to be a very fast and accurate typist--and then came computers.

69. As a child, I took piano lessons for seven years. (No, I don't play the piano.)

70. I love to listen to Cajun people talk.

71. I believe in angels. I've seen them.

72. I believe in miracles. I've seen them.

73. I once saw a plane crash.

74. As a substitute teacher, I taught Charles Barkley (former NBA star) in junior high.

75. I have naturally curly hair.

76. I like to cook and bake.

77. Clutter makes me uncomfortable; but I can't seem to declutter my home.

78. I believe there are beings, spirits, and forces around us that we can't see--but cats can see them and dogs suspect them.

79. My favorite clothing is pajamas. I wish I could wear them 24/7. I own at least 25 pairs.

80. I would love to be a comedian.

81. I like to hear Beth Moore and Joel Osteen preach.

82. I need to lose weight.

83. I want one of those new scooters that you move by swinging your hips.

84. I don't like for anyone to touch my ears.

85. Sometimes I can whistle; sometimes I can't.

86. My mom lived to be 91, the oldest person on either side of my family.

87. I own six sewing machines.

88. I admire strong women like Tina Turner, Loretta Lynn, Mother Teresa, and Beth Moore.

89. I talk to myself--a lot.

90. I sing or hum while I'm cooking.

91. I once assisted our minister in serving Holy Communion. It was a very humbling experience.

92. To this day, I'm a Nancy Drew fan.

93. My middle name is Elaine, but I've never used it.

94. I've vowed to never wear panty hose or high heels again. Next to go will be bras.

95. I'm not an outdoor person. I don't like camping.

96. I once had lunch with Vanna White.

97. I call my husband Boo; he calls me Googy.

98. I wish I could fix the world.

99. Some of my favorite foods are pasta with anything or alone, shrimp, bread, tomatoes, peaches, and brownies.

100. I won't eat: beets, sushi, squid, octopus, or caviar. Thanks anyway.

There's more, I'm sure. But I think I'll just let you sleep.

Meat Loaf Muffins

This recipe evolved from one I found in a Kraft pamphlet that I got at Sam's last week. I changed it up a little bit to make use of things I already had on hand. It was delicious. I think next time, though, I should fill the muffin cups a little fuller because they cook down. I bet if you used ground sirloin or ground round instead of ground chuck (which I used), they wouldn't cook down as much.

Anyway, here's the recipe if you want to try it. It makes 12 muffins.

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef (chuck, round, etc.)

1/2 cup finely chopped onions

1 egg

12 Ritz crackers (or saltines, etc.) finely crushed

1 1/2 cups finely grated cheddar cheese ( or any cheese blend) divided

1 cup diced tomatoes with chiles (or salsa)

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Mix first 4 ingredients with 1 cup cheese and 1/2 cup tomatoes. 

3. Spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.

4. Press meat mixture evenly into muffin cups. Use spoon to make indentation in center of each. Place pan on foil-lined baking sheet.

5. Bake 20-25 minutes or until meat loaves are done (160 deg. F.)

6. Top muffins with remaining cheese and tomatoes (salsa) and bake 3 minutes more until cheese is melted.