Lizzy's Apron Strings

Cheaper by the Dozen

2011-07-31T11:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I went out with some friends to see a local production of Cheaper by the Dozen by Hat Trick Theatre. Our friend Maria's husband Dan played the lead, Mr. Gilbreth and their daughters were starring as two of the dozen children in the the play. The story was based in the 1920's and the challenges of raising teenagers, but as the Director/Producer told us in her introduction, many of the challenges we could relate to today. (She was right!)
It was put on at an First Parish Church on the top of the hill in the center of town. There was no air conditioning, but our programs made a nice fan!

They had wine and cheese and crackers which was a nice treat. It was a full house!

The cast did such a great job! It was thoroughly entertaining. I even had tears in my eyes at the end.

The story line was very endearing. It made me miss my dad with some of Mr. Gilbreth's old fashioned ways and when he said, "By Jingo!"

Check out what is playing in your local area.

It is a great way to spend an evening with family and friends and support the great talent that is right in your neighborhood : )

http://www.hattricktheatre.net/index.htm

Plymouth Farmer's Market : )

2011-07-21T15:21:00.001-07:00

Today I met up with my friend Sue to pick up the furniture from the Flea Market that wouldn't fit in her car yesterday!

After we picked up her tables we popped over to the Plymouth Farmer's Market.

I love connecting to the people who sell their wares.

It makes it so personal knowing who's chickens laid the eggs for your organic omelet, who's bees made your honey, cutting lavender from your patio purchased by a local gardener or knitting a scarf knowing the farmer who spun and dyed the wool. : )

Queen Bee Honey Products-Pembroke MA
http://www.queenbeehoney.com/Retail_Location.htm
My friend Sue bought this Bee Pollen for me. The sales girl said to sprinkle it on yogurt, cereal, put in shakes....it is said to give your energy! I will let you know! : )
They also sell delicious honey...my favorite is the lavender honey!

I bought my eggs and yarn from West Elm Farm which is also in Pembroke.
The farmer who sold me the eggs also spun the wool from his sheep on his farm.
Meeting him and seeing his beautiful yarns inspired me to take out my knitting needles again. : )

http://westelmfarm.com/

There was a girl singing in the tent down by the ocean... : )

http://plymouthfarmersmarket.org/

Up at the crack of dawn....

2011-07-20T10:16:00.000-07:00

My friend Sue and I met up this morning to go to the Sandwich Flea Market which opened at 6:30 am!

Getting up that early to go on our treasure hunt reminded me of when I was young and sleeping over my sisters to go out very early on a weekend morning to go to yard sales...
You get there bright and early while all the good stuff is still there and by 9:30 am you feel like you have already had a productive day! : )

Sue filled up her car with lots of furniture to refinish while I poked around seeing what struck my fancy...

I stumbled upon a toy (plastic) featherweight which is battery operated and is working condition. It has a little matching sewing box.

I had a beloved table refinished years ago, but it came back to me without the wheels on the legs.
I was so happy to find this interesting Gilette box with my lost wheels.
: )

I also stumbled upon 2 small gifts for the family....one for a poet/teacher who uses an old typewriter : )
and one is a music lover that loves to listen to '78's.

A cute collectable pencil sharpener....

A take on the RCA dog....a piggy bank that could second as a doorstop.

It was a great way to start the day with breakfast at Marshlands to top it off!
: )

Embrace the day

2011-07-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

This is a new chapter in my life...an unemployed one as of today.

While cleaning out my work space a few weeks back, I got a call for an interview for a new job for the following week. I felt confident (maybe a bit too confident) that I would be a good match for the job. So, as I walked out of my workspace that I have held dear and turned out the lights,

(I kind of felt like Mary Tyler Moore in her last episode),

I felt as if I had a bridge to walk on until the next week's job interview.

Needless to say, I did not get the job. I found out early Monday morning...so on Tuesday, after a day of tears and wondering what I could have done differently, I woke up to a new attitude, a clean slate in life, a wondering of what the world had in store for me....

by Thursday morning....shear panic! Oh My Gosh...I do not have a job!!!

Since then...(last week) I am trying to embrace the day.

Each day has a lot to offer in showing me what I am meant to do next if I just trust and pay attention.

I have a list a mile long of things that make me panic inside...but, I am paying attention as,
to the self talk I have going on in my head....
(lots of negativity I must say)...

and am learning to turn those things around to be positive and patient.

So, this morning, to treat myself, I went for a walk downtown Plymouth and at Brewster Gardens. I went to antique shops and craft sales and watched people out on their boats.

Today I am learning to embrace the day.

Today what I learned is even when we are so fortunate to live where we live, to have people in our lives that we love and who love us, sometimes we get so wrapped up in what is going on inside of us that we don't enjoy it or realize how blessed we truly are.
A whole day could be wasted in worry, but that same day could be spent trying to figure things out while enjoying what is there
to be embraced...if we become present enough to notice. : )

Inspirational : )

2011-07-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

My shiny kitchen sink and Paris : )

2011-07-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

Due to my feeling a bit overwhelmed with life changes lately, I was referred to "The Fly Lady" at http://www.flylady.net/pages/welcome_main.asp.

What I loved about her and her site was she had the word CHAOS which she said stands for "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome" Bingo!! That is how I feel!!

So, starting with baby step # 1 clean you dishes and shine your sink, I dug in.

(I realize, if you have read my blog before and are now thinking, "I have heard this all before....this Lizzy is on this eternal quest to get organized")....Yes...it is true. It is as if I keep falling off the clutter wagon and am looking for the program that will help me get back on...but for today, if you suffer like me, : ) The Fly Lady is worth checking out! : )

So, I did all my dishes....(broken dishwasher) and shined up my sink...

and then headed off to the movies! I saw "Midnight in Paris" at the Cape Cinema.
http://www.capecinema.com/

I got there just as it was about to begin...got my hot coffee and oatmeal cookie and was told that there was a balcony that I could go up onto since many of the seats were taken on the main floor. It was a perfect place to sit with not many people up there and no one to get in your way of vision....

I liked the movie and the ambiance of the theater so much I stayed for the second showing of it! This time with a cup of coffee and dark chocolate raisinettes. (sp?) Great movie...some of the characters were over my head but it was so clever and I loved the sites of Paris : )

If you love classic literature and Paris, you will love it too : )

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

I have a very special heart stone in my garden that was given to me by my friend Sue and her son Danny after my father had passed away.

I keep it tucked in the corner of my garden. Last year my neighbors were weeding out their perennials and asked if I would like some. I transplanted a rose bush that looked like sticks with roots but hoped for the best. The other morning, my last day of work, I walked out on to my patio to see that the roses were in full bloom and later in the day, they cast a shadow on my special heart.

A message from Dad saying, "I'm here, don't worry, it will all work out." : )

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

"The roses have gone by. We had 3 of them.........beautiful"

James Wheeler

The garden has lots of roses for you this summer Dad...

Happy Father's Day!

I love and miss you, xxoo

Liz

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

I love this photograph taken by my friend Tom Rourke.

I feel it says so much.

On this unofficial opening day of summer, let us remember those who served, those who lost their lives serving and those who are currently serving and their families who keep it all together while their loved ones are away.

As I was reminded at a beautiful ceremony at my school on Friday, honoring 2 young men from it's town, who lost their lives serving our Country,

"Freedom is not free."

God Bless those who make freedom possible.

2011-05-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

Life to date....

2011-05-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

Saying goodbye to a school I will always hold dear : )

Getting all my ducks in a row for the next chapter...
putting our condo on the market.

I was too embarrassed to take "before" pictures of all the boxes in this room from our attic. My son's friend thought maybe he could earn his upcoming Eagle Scout Award cleaning out our home.

(He was just kidding but that is how bad it looked! : )

Much cozier now!

Sometimes all I need is some good advice and a hot cup of chai (Starbuck's) when I start to feel overwhelmed.

(Wonderful book by Daphne Rose Kingma)

...and dinner with my brother and his wife while my son and his friends enjoy a day at Six Flags.

(Payback for helpng me get all those boxes out of the attic, redeeming over 500 cans (from our neighbor) which were stored in our outside closet, and for helping with the trips to Catholic Charities : )

Now onto the hallway and our bedrooms and maybe a catnap.

: )

I believe : )

2011-05-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

Video from You Tube uploaded by Habitation Tracy

"Iron Swirls" by elizabeth steele

2011-04-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

With a vintage suitcase and a floral carry-on bag. A short waisted coat and a belted dress. Looking up at the hotel as the cab driver pulls away...

taking it all in.

The concierge looks up my reservation and refers to me as "Miss". He gives me my door pass and points towards the elevator while giving me directions in his thick French accent.

Inside the elevator, (which is gold and brown and elegant), I watch as the numbers light up, one by one, above the double doors and then watch it stop at number 5.

Down the hall I go, with my suitcase and carry on and a skip in my step.

I place the key card in the slot, and push the handle down.

The room says hello with the coziest of fashions.

A flower duvet on the double bed. The matching pillowcases cover down pillows which are fluffed against the white wainscoted headrest.

A china cup and saucer are thoughtfully placed with a small vase of pansies on the night stand.

The cream frosted lamp is lit, giving the room the loveliest softest hue.

Rod iron swirls of the balcony await, as the sheer curtain lifts in the breeze against the gorgeous glass doors.

A writing desk and softly upholstered chair beckons to come to sit and write.

Something I hope to do lots of while here.

I plop down onto the bed, carefully remove my heels and take a long, deep breath.

Paris.

I knew someday I'd be here.

Happy Birthday to my Uber-Creative Sister!

2011-04-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a postage size picture of us

but a BIG Happy Birthday wish!!

In need of a shot of sparkle : )

2011-03-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

I have been advised that having a sacred space will help me to relax and get into my zen place. Whenever I get the chance, I take a drive and park to look out to what I have found to be my zen place.

The water was just so beautiful this morning (minus the blurry spot on my camera lens : (

So sparkly!

The sunlight was dancing so quickly it felt like my eyes were getting a workout trying to capture all of the sparkles.

Now...On to my list of To-Do's : )

Choosing to embrace the unknown....

2011-03-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure of working at a school that I have truly loved for the past 2 years.

Due to budget cuts my position will no longer be there for next year.

I am heartbroken....

but so grateful and a better teacher for having the privilege of working at such a wonderful school with such supportive administrators, hard working teachers and creative and fun-loving students.

I have learned over these past few years when the unknown looms overhead, I am so much better knowing what my options and choices are.

I asked on Friday what my fate was.
They planned on breaking the news on Monday...

but as I explained when I asked,
I am not good at the fork in the road.

I am so much better knowing.

So this weekend as I get all my ducks in a row in my search for something that feels like home, fits like a hand in a glove or a mitten...or for now, even just a comfy knit cuff will do : )
I must remember that things always work out....

it is just this space in between that can feel a little unnerving

but today.....

I am casting my line out, taking things slow and steady, and choosing to embrace the unknown.

Changes...

2011-03-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

Mary Engelbreit puts it best : )

Happy Tuesday!

2011-03-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

Busy day...late dinner...but I thought I'd at least make it interesting : )

Changes...

2011-03-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

Last night I went out with my friend Sue to talk about some possible big changes coming my way...then this morning I found this song entitled, "Frame The Clouds" by Christina Wells featuring Sara Groves (who Sue and I had the pleasure of hearing this past summer)

I thought the lyrics fit perfectly with how I felt last night trying to sort out my life...which is like trying to frame the clouds : ) with my good friend sitting across from me listening...

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_2097310

Thank you Sue! : )

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

2011-03-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

I won a pair of Converse sneakers on a talk radio show and I was so happy to see that they were green when I opened the box! Today was the first day I wore them to school in honor of Saint Patrick's Day! My students loved them and I felt right in style with my middle school students!

We baked loaves and loaves of Irish Soda Bread to the sound of all the Irish music I could find (that were not pub drinking songs)!! It took me hours last night to sift through the Irish selection on Itunes hoping all the while they would enjoy listening to songs about the Emerald Isle : ) I knew I was successful though when a periodically throughout the day students in their kitchens broke out into a jig!

It was a good day had by all....I only wish I had planned ahead and had a corn-beef dinner waiting at home for me in the crock-pot! Next year for sure! : )

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER PATRICK!!

Who is happily celebrating his special day in Ireland today!

February Vacation snippets...

2011-02-25T10:45:00.000-08:00

This vacation I am trying to take moments to rejuvenate my creative spirit and take mini vacations wherever I can find them...

Several years now, on our way home from visiting our family in Vermont, (which was a very nice visit by the way : ) we come to this intersection in Brattleboro in which this store called Dragonfly stands. I quickly try to take in all that I imagine is inside. I am immediately taken by the Emma Bridgewater cups in the window. We tried once before to stop but found parking difficult. But this time, on our way home, we managed to find parking and take a step inside.

The store was very cute with such a nice selection of Emma's dishes and cups. Honestly, I do not own any of her dishes but love them. I remember years ago when I first saw her dishes I loved the one that said, Bubble and Squeak. I waitressed with a girl from England who told me that was the name for leftover sausage and hash or something to that effect and that was the noise it made in the pan while heating up.

What I do own are some tins that Emma's husband illustrated, as he illustrates all of her pottery.

Brattleboro has an Artist type walk the first Friday night of every month. They feature different music and serve wine and cheese : ) It sounds like it would be lots of fun!

We only made it in 3 stores this visit with plans to visit 3 more our next time we are passing through.

The Blue Blinds Bakery has been mentioned by me before but it is worth mentioning again. It is located on North Street in Plymouth and it is such a cozy place to stop for a cup of tea or coffee. I chose hot chai with pumpkin pie. It was delicious. The murals around the bakery are incredible depicting the history of the Plimoth (as it was once spelled). The bakery also has a fireplace which really adds to the ambiance, but there were people sitting in front of it so I didn't want to disturb them : )

Across the street form where I was sitting is a wonderful old bookshop. It is chock full of all kinds of books and down in one corner I found a box of old "78's. I called my brother to see if there was anything he would be interested in for his victrola and we took a chance on this one. Looking forward to hearing it on a future family visit : )

I hope you too are finding time for mini vacations that bring you inspiration and respite : )

So nice to see the blue skies : )

2011-02-06T11:53:00.000-08:00

I went for a drive before Church this morning and stopped to take a picture of this snowy driveway. Imagine if this was what met you at the end of the driveway at the end of the day! : )

Wordless Wednesday : )

2011-02-02T16:42:00.000-08:00

Slate blue Snow shaded Sunday

2011-01-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

I took a few moments this afternoon while running errands to take the scenic route and snap a few photos : )

Setting the buzzer...ready, set, go!

2011-01-30T06:06:00.000-08:00

I know Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, but I so often find that Sunday is the day that I have only so many hours to get done all of the things I have put off for the week.

I wake up feeling pressure!!

One thing that I have found helpful in keeping me organized is to set the buzzer.

I know people have written about this, and I don't know if I read about it first, or used the buzzer and then read about it, but needless to say, it is a great tool if you find yourself getting caught up in one activity (like blogging : ) for too long and then finding there are not enough hours in the day to get accomplished what you had wished.

I set the buzzer for lets say, 30 minutes to get my laundry in the washer, dryer, folded and put away. It kind of becomes a game, like beat the clock as I look at my buzzer with 3 minutes left and 6 piles of laundry that need to find a home!

But I find this is really helpful for me, otherwise seconds turn into minutes and minutes so quickly, it seems, turn into hours... daylight into darkness and suddenly, it's like, where did this day go?? : )

As I write, my blogging time this morning is up!

The buzzer is going off!

I hope that you have what Sunday is supposed to be....

a day of rest full of reading your favorite book,

working on a favorite craft,

watching a favorite movie,

spending time with family and friends

or taking a cat nap.

For those of you like me....I hope you find this helpful and maybe it will make it possible to squeak out a bit of relaxation at the end of the day! : )

A little piece of heaven : )

2011-01-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

My first Country Living magazine from England delivered today.

A perfect snowy Friday night with my favorite cup of tea : )

Snowy day : )

2011-01-27T08:31:00.000-08:00

Post Script

2011-01-25T14:22:00.000-08:00

McCormick makes these for pork chops and chicken too! : )

Cheddar Biscuits

2011-01-24T17:05:00.000-08:00

While making our beef stew, I heard a commercial on the TV for a meal with cheddar biscuits. I thought, "That sounds delicious!" I had a bit of cheddar cheese in the fridge, so I went to one of my favorite sites for recipes- allrecipes and there I found this great recipe for cheddar biscuits. http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/cheddar-biscuits/Detail.aspx

One thing I love about this site is you can put in the number of servings you would like to make and they will recalculate the ingredient measurements! : )

I love Jiffy mix when making biscuits : )

It also makes good pancakes.

I found buying cheese in a block and shredding it yourself is less expensive.

Mix cheese, butter, and milk together.
The recipe calls for garlic powder and salt. I only had garlic salt so I figured I could use it and it would kind of count for both.

I like that you can just spoon the dough onto the cookie sheet.
So easy!
When I make something special like strawberry shortcake, I like to sprinkle some of the biscuit mix on a cutting board and roll the dough out and then cut the biscuits with a heart cookie cutter : )

Enjoy : )

Sunday Dinner Beef Stew

2011-01-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

I just discovered a few weeks ago (by accident) these great McCormick Bag 'N Season.

I thought I was buying spices for my crock pot only to find that you make this beef stew in the oven.

It only takes 1 1/2 hours so it is a bit quicker than a crock pot if you need dinner sooner than later.

I had a chance to visit the McCormick factory in Baltimore back in '80s.

It was very interesting to see the place where all these creative ideas come from : )

I love meat from the butcher in white paper.

It's the little things : )

I always forget to buy celery. But, I have onions, carrots and potatoes.

Sometimes when I cook I use toooo many potatoes. Dinner turns into potatoes with chicken or potatoes with meat : )

So this time I only used 2 potatoes : )

Place it all in the bag....

Mix the spices with 1 1/2 cups water, 1/4 cup flour and provided spices.

Tie with provided tie.

Place bag on it's side and poke 4 small holes.

Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees.
It puffs up like this.

Let is rest for 5 minutes.

Enjoy!
Cheddar biscuits in next post!

No Excuses : )

2011-01-22T13:19:00.000-08:00

My trip was successful thanks to my friend Sue who agreed to come along.

(I sliced up some of the banana bread from the second loaf and brought it along for the ride.)

We realized when I went to pick her up that her car was much cleaner than mine and would fit more boxes.

Good thing I listened to her : )

My cozy home is now sprinkled with boxes so I must get them packed and stored ASAP!!

This is a big project but I keep thinking of how good I will feel when I "tick" it off my list!

: )

Barbara's Banana Bread : )

2011-01-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

Busy Saturday planned...Credit Union, Catholic Charities, chores around the house...

A friend of mine who moved emailed me to say that she had boxes if I needed them. Since it is fresh on my New Year's list to pack, I thought it best I make the trip today to pick them up.

I wanted to bring something to along to wish her "Happy New Home"so I thought I would bake some banana bread. (Also on my list is to budget, so I am trying to be a bit more creative instead of running to the store to buy things I can't afford. I think it has more meaning too if it comes from the heart or the kitchen : )

These eggs are from Laurie the Librarian at my school. She just got chickens this summer. I love when she comes to my classroom with a fresh dozen.

The batter looked so bright with these fresh eggs.

I just happen to have sour cream on hand from our homemade chili this week : )

This recipe, as you can see has been used a lot. I actually love to see a cookbook with well worn pages or better yet, spills on pages.
A sure bet it is a good recipe : )
This recipe is from the cookbook, A Taste of Fenn

This recipe makes one large loaf or two small ones.

I had to loosely wrap the ends because it was still warm!
I will make it look neater when I arrive!

Snow day!! : )

2011-01-21T04:51:00.000-08:00

What I want to do....

What I need to do....laundry, dishes, vacuum.....

Hopefully, I will do a little bit of both : )

Wordless Wednesday : )

2011-01-19T16:00:00.000-08:00

Winter sunset at the beach

2011-01-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

On my way home from the grocery store I noticed that the sky looked pink so I took a drive down to the beach. I was going to blog tonight about homemade chili and cornbread but that can wait!
Enjoy! : )

Doughnut Pincushions

2011-01-16T05:45:00.000-08:00

I am a Family and Consumer Science Teacher at a WONDERFUL Middle School! (Can you tell I love my job?!)

One of the lessons in my curriculum is hand sewing. My sister had made some doughnut pincushions and I thought they would be a great project for my students!
I found directions here at Cut + Keep http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/delicious_felt_donut/versions/8

I made these originally with my 6th graders, and not be very experienced sewers at this point, I was concerned with them sewing the doughnut holes because I found the angle in which you had to sew them was awkward, even to someone with experience. When explaining this to my students one of the boys raised his hand and said, "What if we make Boston Cream instead?" "Perfect!!" I replied with a smile. This is one of the things I love about teaching, the creative input from my students!

Also, you must put vanilla in the stuffing or soak the doughnut with vanilla bit before putting the frosting on : )

When my 8th graders got wind (of vanilla) of what my 6th graders were making, they too wanted to join in the fun. My classroom was taken over by doughnuts and it really did smell like a bakeshop!

PS...We sewed the sprinkles on with embroidery floss with just straight stitches.
You could try french knots or even small beads.
I think the possibilities are endless! : )

This one looked like it had a doughnut heart!

Goodbye Christmas....until next year!

2011-01-15T13:57:00.000-08:00

Although this may seem late for some of you, I feel that I am getting a pretty good grip on the holiday clean up. I am embarrassed to admit that our Christmas things made it to the boxes last year, but only got as far as the upstairs hallway....It was really easy to find our things to decorate this year!!

With some help from my son, these boxes made there way to the attic, which should be on my New Year's list to organize. They are labeled and neatly tucked away!

Oh my gosh!! My list!! : )

2011-01-15T08:34:00.000-08:00

When posting my New Year's list, I didn't really put anything small and easy to "tick" off as Cathy from "tinniegirl" says. (I love hearing people's expressions from other countries : ) I did leave number 11 open though, and I was thinking I should put something like, do the dishes or fold laundry for that one, so I could feel like I am at least getting something accomplished!!
But, today I decided to start purging, sorting and packing! I read the other day something, (let's see if I can summerize this....) that if you start imagining that which you want to change, your mind will start to make the new connections as if you already did it. So I imagined myself packing, and as I passed the man at the grocery store unloading bottles of orange juice, I couldn't help but notice all of the empty boxes before him. I asked if I could have them and he loaded the folded empty boxes under my carriage. Off I went, and it was not until I was outside in the dark snowy parking lot crossing in front of a lane of cars did they all decide to slide out in front of me! Twice!! Thankfully no one beeped and I got them loaded in my car and today I am going to put them to use!! After I do the laundry and the dishes! : )

Morning after the storm : )

2011-01-13T04:56:00.000-08:00

Have a great day!!

Wordless Wednesday : )

2011-01-12T13:24:00.000-08:00

The morning before the snowstorm....

2011-01-11T19:23:00.000-08:00

I stopped on my way to work this morning to take this picture because tomorrow morning hopefully : ) it will be snowing! School is already cancelled! I love a good snow day! Especially when we find out the night before!

Comfort food : )

2011-01-10T17:14:00.000-08:00

My son has been feeling a bit under the weather this week.

Nothing like a Goober Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich to make you feel better : )

I wonder how many years Smucker's has sold this?

I feel very nostalgic when I see it on the grocery store shelf!

One of the most beautiful blogs....

2011-01-09T05:47:00.000-08:00

(Picture from Lisbeth's blog)

While blog hopping, I found some blogs with Swedish inspiration that I thought my sister-in-law would like.

Then I found this one!!

It is absolutely darling!

That truly is the best word to describe it!

The pictures are so sweet!

Enjoy on this snowy Sunday : )

http://lisbethsinlilleverden.blogspot.com/

This time next year...

2011-01-08T12:36:00.001-08:00

While doing errands today, I passed this homemade ice rink near the railroad bridge in Bourne.

I thought it looked like a clean slate....

On to my New Year's list...

This was not easy, because I know I will think of new things as the year progresses but I am going to post this anyways.

I decided on 11 things since it is 2011.

Some are BIG, but I am going to make the leap anyway!! : )

1. Draw up a will. ( I know!! This should have been done years ago!!)

2. Sell our condo and move...to a cozy, happy home.

3. Start sorting, purging and packing.

4. Budget to have a little fun money left over at the end of the month.

5. Sell my wares on Etsy.

6. Take a Graduate course towards my re-certification.

7. Create a blog for my classroom.

8. Publish children's book.

9. Learn how to knit mittens.

10. Pay off car.

11....Not sure?? Will have to check back to see what it is when I figure it out : )

P.S. I have decided that with each item I check off my list...I am going to add a new one!

What To Do...

2011-01-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

I was blog hopping and found http://tinniegirl.blogspot.com/ in which she challenges you to write a list for the new year.

I entered the challenge but will post my list this weekend when I can really think about it : )

I usually write a daily list filled with errands, appointments, miscellaneous...I feel really good when I check off each item on the list.

I am looking forward to checking off some bigger things this year

that will make our home

happier and cozier! : )

I made this collage a few years ago with my students. I was looking at the picture of it today and realized I still loved the words and pictures I cut out so I am going to use it for inspiration....

Check out tinniegirl's blog if you too want to create a special list this year!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-05T17:17:00.000-08:00

Snowy Misty Sunday

2011-01-02T06:17:00.001-08:00

Almost looked like it was snowing when I looked out my window this morning.

Talking with mom on the phone eating oatmeal...

remembering dad...

My new favorite sewing basket settling in.

I don't think I will ever take the tag off....I love it! : )

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T21:08:00.001-08:00

I don't know who said this, but as you can see, I painted this saying years ago, but never have the heart to throw it away when I start sorting through my things.

So today I hung it up, all crinkled as it may be.

I know how true this statement is and I hope this new year I make the most of my free time and tap into, more passionately, my creativity.

To all the blogs I love to pour over with my cups of tea, thank you for your inspiration !

Wishing you a blessed, happy creative New Year!!

Feeling at home with some things from England

2010-12-31T13:26:00.000-08:00

My day started out with Pillsbury Cinnabon rolls...not really homemade, but does the trick in a hurry before a morning of sledding for my man/boy son : )

This is one of my most favorite gifts this Christmas. My beloved Cath Kidston sewing basket!

Thanks to my sister who ordered it directly from England : )

I plan on filling it with lovely notions and will keep you updated on new projects : )

For Christmas, I purchased a Country Living magazine from UK for my sister-in-law, because I had been teased for being a bit reluctant to give away my beloved magazines on the day we came together for our Sewing Saturday when she and my sister came to my home laden down with gifts for me!

So, I found the last Christmas Edition of British Country Living at Borders and gave it to her on Christmas. I quickly flipped through the pages and thought of how much I would looovvvveee to read it with a cup of tea....but wanted to prove that I too can part with those things I hold dear....

My mom and friend Sue gave me some money to do something for me for Christmas, so instead of putting it towards a bill, I went to Border's today and bought a cup of coffee and British Edition of Country Living. The Christmas edition was gone but the January issue was there. I love this magazine! I then decided that I am going to treat myself all year with a monthly delivery from England.

This ad was so cute...I posted the Loop's blog on the side where all my favorite blogs are listed.

I hope you are having a cozy day today and are finding things in your life to make you smile : )

Merry Christmas : )

2010-12-18T20:48:00.000-08:00

Doughnut Shop

2010-12-14T17:59:00.000-08:00

I took one last picture of the student's pincushions before I passed them back. I just love them!!

My new (Old) Singer 99-13 born in 1931

2010-12-12T06:57:00.000-08:00

I lifted up my machine and found this bottle of oil tucked underneath.

I did some research and I found that my machine's birthday is October 6, 1931 and it was made in Elizabeth New Jersey at a factory called Elizabethport : )

Here is a great reference to look up your Singer if your have the serial number.

http://www.singerco.com/pdf/SINGER_AD_nos.pdf

I found this on Sleepy Cat Hollow's blog : )

Santa visits the auction!

2010-12-11T18:41:00.000-08:00

Santa made a surprise visit to the Sandwich Auction tonight!

There were prizes awarded and I won a poinsettia!

I bid on this Singer and got it for $10!!

It has everything...the instructions, bobbin, needle and even a key to lock the case, but no knee lever : (

I will have to check out Ebay!

It weighs about 50 lbs!!! : )

Not sure of the date....I think I need stronger Christmas Tree glasses!

Holiday season : )

2010-12-05T06:21:00.000-08:00

A Christmas wreath from the farm that smells wonderful!

Thanks~Eileen!

Seasons : )

2010-10-16T05:44:00.001-07:00

Cozy Sunday

2010-09-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

"Red sky in morning, sailors take warning"

2010-09-03T03:18:00.000-07:00

Welcome September

2010-09-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

soaking up the last days and evenings of summer : )

2010-08-30T05:15:00.000-07:00

Special delivery

2010-08-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

Thank you Tom and Sue for sharing your garden's tomatoes!

Love these!

2010-08-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

I just discovered these products last year from a woman at work. They work great, are non-toxic and smell terrific. The all purpose cleaner smells like tangerines and the glass cleaner smells like oranges with a touch of vanilla.

I am not going swimming today

2010-08-28T09:51:00.000-07:00

I have reached that weight when I stop and say to myself, Ok, If I keep going, I am going to be at the weight I was when I gave birth to my son 14 years ago : )

(And, at that time, I had gained 50 lbs!!)

I am at that place when I think, "Ok, enough."

I told one of my friends,

when it comes to my weight,

when my stomach looks like (what I call) "the bum in front" (lol!!!)

the time has come for me to do something!!

I have been at this place several times before. This time I am trying to apply all that I have learned so far and combine it all together.

Eat heathy.

Exercise.

Drink lots of water.

Commit.

The other night I was at the gym, looking at my chubby self in the floor to ceiling, wall to wall mirror, and maybe because I was dressed completely in grey, (which must have subconsciously brought to mind the thought of cement), I thought about the artist Michelangelo, and how he sculpted beautiful figures out of marble. .

I wondered what my ideal figure should look like under all this chubbiness. Not to be a perfect beach body per se, but the healthy happy body that is full of energy

that I was intended to have without an aching back (from the bum in front) lol!!

So this is my quest.

With inspiration from my brother Blog who has inspired me with his own success and, additional advice from my oldest brother, who told me reverse psychology has worked for some-telling yourself that you are not going to the pool or you are not going to the gym, but merely putting on your suit or workout clothes.

So far it has worked for me.

I have worked out and swam 11 times in the last 12 days.

The one day I missed I was having tea and toast at my hairdressers : )

Honestly, I am not seeing the results on the scale as quickly as in the past, but I know that if I am in this for the long haul, and for my overall health, the scale is just one piece of the pie...(with vanilla ice cream : )

So, I am not going to let it discourage me, but will continue to chip

away at this cement one day at a time : )

Even the clouds are beautiful today : )

2010-08-27T13:54:00.001-07:00

One of my summer's passions....

2010-08-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

I have been shopping for my fruits and vegetables at farm stands this summer

and at one of my new favorite places,

farmer's markets : )

Of all the markets, I visit the Plymouth Farmer's Market the most.

This swiss chard is from Web of Life Organic Farm from Carver, MA.

They have a booth every Thursday at the market.

I have never eaten swiss chard before. It tasted a bit like spinach, but not as bitter.

I sauteed it with olive oil and sprinkled it with salt. : )

The colors of the leaves and stems were so beautiful!

When I can't make it to the Thursday Market then I catch the one on Saturday morning.

This is Blue Blinds Bakery's Organic Four Seed Spelt Bread.

I tasted it last night for the first time at my hairdressers.

It was dinner time and I was starving and Diane (my hairdresser) was going upstairs (her shop is in her basement) while I was under the dryer with my hair covered in foil.

She asked if I was hungry and if I would like some tea and toast.

It was the best toast I have ever had!

I went right to the Blue Blinds booth today at the Farmer's Market and was so happy to see there was still a loaf left!

This is pre-peanut butter. It truly is the best toast ever!!

My mom and I went to this farmer's market in Londonderry Vermont on our way to

The Vermont Country Store.

What a nice place to stop for lunch : )

Check out what farmer's markets are close to you!!

Happy Breakfast on a rainy morning

2010-08-24T08:34:00.001-07:00

Eggs from Bull Frog Acres in West Wareham,

Homemade Brown Sugar Wheat bread made by Honey I'm Home in Plymouth.

I purchased these at the Plymouth Farmer's Market which is held every Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning in Plymouth, MA.

Tomatoes from my friends Tom and Sue's garden.

Smiley Toast's eyes from Kashi : )

Orange Juice compliments of Tropicana.

Dishes a great find from mom at the Weston Book Sale in Weston Vermont.

Have a happy day!

Love is....on a rainy day : )

2010-08-23T15:41:00.000-07:00

I love Cath Kidston and was so happy to have the chance to visit her store in New York a few years back. I went on her website and requested a catalog and was so happy to get this in the mail....it is more like a magazine and it's free!

To request a magazine go to www.cathkidston.com

Now for the wish list : )

Welcome Spring!

2010-03-21T07:45:00.001-07:00

Day 1 of inspiration : )

Favorite things...

2010-01-17T07:01:00.000-08:00

Blue Blue Ocean....
Bittersweet in the snow....

Favorite things...

2010-01-10T06:46:00.000-08:00

Winter morning snow shadows....

"These are a few of my favorite things"....The Library

2010-01-02T19:50:00.001-08:00

(Obviously I haven't taken these pictures lately with that nice green grass)
This is a new favorite library. It has been converted into a cozy coffee shop with used books for sale. It is on my way to work or my way home, whenever I need a pick me up : )

This is the cutest library in Dennis. I did not go inside but it must be tiny!! They must really notice when your books are overdue!!

This is one of my favorite libraries in Sandwich. Everyone is so friendly and they have a great book sale every Saturday.

January 5th 2010~Christmas ornaments and all the memories they hold.

January 4th 2010~Christmas company...

January 3rd 2010~I love books!! My dream is to have a library room in my home someday....must put that on my bucket list : )

January 2nd 2010~Strawberry Fair dishes....
I found 2 cups and saucers at the most adorable shop in Sandwich called Horsefeathers.

Let it snow....

2009-12-31T10:06:00.000-08:00

First encounters....

2009-11-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

Today I had my first encounter with "First Encounter" Beach in Eastham. I went this morning to pick up some fabric donations for my students from a very nice woman who is part of a quilt guild on the Cape...after I picked up the fabric....I went exploring : )

It was a chilly, beautiful morning.

I have never seen a seagull sit down. I asked a man who was ready to go out into the ocean with some type of sailing apparatus if he thought the seagull was ok. We then looked around and saw more. He said he thinks he was just trying to stay warm from the wind. : )

Nature's patterns.

I loved the look of this path with the fall colors on the bushes in front and the call of the ocean so small in the distance but so inviting!

This bike path crossed over the street leading to the beach.

Christmas is not far away. I was behind the big truck that delivered these trees to Log Cabin Farm in Eastham on my way to pick up the fabric.

Here we go....

Let the holiday season begin!

2009-11-01T09:52:00.000-08:00

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness." John Keats

2009-09-27T05:52:00.000-07:00

I have only gone to the Cape Cinema two times, last night being my second. It is on 6A in Dennis. Last night I saw the movie Bright Star about the poet John Keats and his 3 year romance with seamstress Fanny Brawne. I love this theater and I really enjoyed this movie. If you go, bring tissues! : )

Happy BELATED Birthday Sue : )

2009-08-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

I love this weatherwane!

Today I celebrated my other friend Sue's belated birthday. We went to the Dunbar Tea Room in Sandwich for High Tea and it was delicious! High tea is so much fun because there is such a variety of sandwiches and desserts to eat all in one sitting. It was a great day catching up with my creative friend : )

Home grown cucumbers : )

2009-08-24T16:16:00.001-07:00

What a nice treat! I stopped by my friend Sue's home to wish her luck at her new job that she starts tomorrow and she sent me home with 3 adorable cucumbers that she and her family grew in their own garden. I can't wait to slice them up and have them as a side dish or even all by themselves! : )

Shopping day in Wickford RI with one of the most patient men on the planet. : )

2009-08-23T16:52:00.001-07:00

Where we started the day....The Wickford Diner. You can sit at the counter or in a booth. Delicious breakfast! : )

This is the window of the Mermaid's Purl Knit Shop. I wanted so desperately to take a picture of how beautifully the buttons are displayed in the shop, but was too shy to ask if I could!! There was such a colorful assortment of beads, yarn and buttons! Can't wait to go back with a project in mind. : )

This is the cutest little garden shop called, Jules. The owner is a painter, photographer and interior designer. Very cute things inside and very affordable. : )

Such a cute quaint town to shop and eat. Can't wait to visit during the holidays!!

And, I'll ask to take a picture of those buttons! : )

PS....I forgot a very important fact, It has a beautiful waterfront too!

I had to laugh : )

2009-08-21T05:56:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I went to the grocery store to cash a check to get cash back so my son could go go-cart racing with his friends. Anyway, I needed to buy something in order to write the check, so I picked out a box of healthy granola bars and got in line. As I was was checking out I could not help but notice this kind of hippiesk man in line behind me and all of his healthy food choices. Greens, soy milk, plain yogurt, edamame (I had to look up the spelling for that one! : ) I started thinking as I walked out the door about how off track I have gotten with my eating habits. This past spring, I went on a pretty strict food plan while reading the book, "Total Health Makeover" by Marilu Henner. People would ask me, "Isn't she the Olymic gymnast?" "No" I would reply, "She was the actress on Taxi." : ) With no sugar, no wheat, no meat, no milk....my friends would ask, "What can you eat?" Actually, I could eat quite a bit. And I started to feel really good. But, just like many other habits I have tried to change, slowly but surely, I started to slip back into my old ways. When I walked out to my car in the parking lot, I thought about how tired I felt from all the sugar I had consumed earlier in the afternoon. I started with some healthy chocolate pudding. Well, it was all natural, with no artifical flavors : ) and then I had some ice-cream. I used the cute little pudding cup for it. I thought, I will have some ice-cream and put it in this cute little cup for portion control. I filled it 4 times. So, as I thought about my food intake in this sugar haze, I realized I need to detox, start again! Get healthy and get my energy back! I thought about all those healthy groceries that man had bought and thought I can do it too. Then, as I went to drive out of the parking lot, I stopped at the crosswalk to let the customers cross and there, low and behold was the healthy man, who inspired me to once again change my life, who's heathy habits forced me to take a good hard look at myself, and I had to laugh... as I watched him lighting up a cigarette!

I thought to myself, how many times had I done this before? You see someone and you assume that they have it all together, all their i's dotted and their t's crossed. As Don Miquel Ruiz writes in "The Four Agreements" Don't Make Assumptions. That is something I need to remember. We all have our habits, our struggles, our weaknesses, (mine being sugar and carbs, when it comes to food) that I suppose we all have trouble changing when we decide we want to. No one is perfect...I couldn't help but smile as I got on to the highway, letting myself off the hook and starting to talk a little bit kinder to myself : )

New Heartstone Cookie Jar : )

2009-08-20T06:13:00.000-07:00

Thank you Maureen for my Heartstone Cookie Jar! You always find the best pieces to go with my dishes. Now I need to get busy baking to fill it up : )

I love the auction : )

2009-08-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

I love going to the Auction in Sandwich. Not only is it fun to see all the treasures that are available, but the food is delicious. Even if I just get a cup of coffee and a homemade oatmeal cookie, I am set for a great evening. And, if I am lucky enough to get a seat, even better! : )

I love mail

2009-08-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

After cleaning out my kitchen, I went to Catholic Charities to drop off some things that I didn't need any more. On my way out, my eye caught this adorable figurine to hold pens and pencils. (No, it is not a hummel, I checked underneath as soon as I saw it. Although it really does look like one!)

I know I am not supposed to be accumulating things as I drop off items for charity, but I couldn't resist! After all, my favorite movie is You've got mail, and my heart does belong to a mailman. : )

Journaling about what's going well : )

2009-08-16T06:49:00.000-07:00

My son baked brownies...

We used corn holders (which I found tucked in the back of the silverware drawer) for our corn on the cob...

99% of the time, there is not one dish in my kitchen sink!

In Regina Leeds book, One Year To An Organized Life, she has you commit to "Habits of the Month." In Chapter 1, January-Understanding Time Management-Working in the Kitchen, one of the habit's is to wash, dry and put dishes away after use.

Since our dish washer has gone kaputt, I have gotten into the habit of leaving dishes in the sink until I am eating ice-cream on a plate with a fork. But not lately! : ) Regina states in her book that, "Psychologists have found that repeating an action for twenty-one consecutive days turns it into a habit." But, changing habits can be so difficult. It is so easy to want to go back to your old comfortable ways. So, as I stated in my first post, she writes that you should keep an, "Organizing Journal." She writes, "Sitting down and putting your thoughts on paper can help you determine why you've had difficulty getting organized in the past."

The day that I bought Regina's book I also bought a journal. I have kept journals for as far back I can remember. I am fascinated with people's journals and how they keep them. I am a fan of Author/Illustrator, Susan Branch and remember seeing on her website a picture of her journal which looked as thick as a great novel. With her photographs and unique way of writing, it was such a creative keeper of memories.

As I have come to learn, journals are also very important to my family. My dad, who sadly passed away a little more than a year ago, also kept journals filled with daily memories to much of our surprise. Just recently, I got to see a page from one of my brother's journals, in which he very artistically, I must say, : ) illustrated an old country store front during his lunch break in among his notes about his day. My nephew, who is on a volunteering mission has been keeping a daily journal as well, documenting all that he is learning about his experience as he lends a hand to those in need. And my sister, who is one of the most creative people I know, has kept daily journal entries on fabric, to which she will transform into something beautiful.

I am a fan of a journal that opens up easily. Being a lefty, I am always bothered by the left side of a book as it collapses in on me while trying to write on the right-hand pages. Also, I love blank pages, so if I get the urge to doodle, which for me is often, I have a free open range.

A journal that has become a favorite of mine is Moleskine.® You can purchase these with lined or blank pages and the books open wide, so there is no fighting with pages for lefties. Also, they come is many sizes and range in number of pages to meet your writing and illustrating needs. : )

Very often I find that I don't finish a journal when I start writing in one, and end up not having a clue where I've kept the last journal when I get the urge to journal again. So, I end up finding blank pages in an old journal to write in only to find I started that journal in 1973! With no consistency with the dates, I end up buying a new journal only to not use it all up again. So, as I stood in line at the bookstore perusing the journal assortment to use for my, Organizing Journal, I thought about this habit of mine. Then, I happily found a Moleskone® journal that is fairly thin, (but come in a package of 3), and thought, "Perfect, this is a journal for me! I think I could fill up from beginning to end, and if I don't, I can start another one!"

I also have become a fan of Post it notes for bookmarks and taking notes with me on the run. But, that I will tell you about soon when I tell you about a great calendar I found!

Trash days....the ying and the yang of it.

2009-08-11T22:53:00.000-07:00

I have started lately to love trash day, It's the getting ready for trash day that I don't love so much. On trash day, I make it a sort of competition with myself to see how much stuff I can get outside of my house and kind of gamble what the trash men will actually take. Sometimes, when I hear the truck coming, I run around my condo looking for any last minute items that I think I could chance, an old shade, a vacuum cleaner hose, what about an old broken table? Then I wait, hiding behind the curtain in the bathroom to see what pieces of trash make the cut. I am so overjoyed when it all goes...a clean slate. At least kind of, until the next week.

I imagine that if anyone watched me take bag after bag of trash out of my home in the course of a week, that it must be like watching 50 clowns getting out of a Volkswagen Bug at a circus. I remember a friend stopping by one day and commenting on all the trash barrels the ajoining condos, that I live at, had accumulated for the trash man. She was very surprised when I told her that all those barrels belonged to me!

I have a very, very small closet/shed in which I store my 5 trash barrels with covers, my Christmas tree stand, beach chairs, paint and all of the recyclable cans my neighbors collect for, mainly my son, for fun money...I also store all of my trash in there until trash day. It is quite a site. I try to get my trash ready late the night before the trash man comes, because of the fiasco I have to go through to get it all ready. I am too embarrassed in the light of day for my neighbors to see the ugly truth. I am beginning to see more and more how my lack of organization really does make me feel embarrassed, if not ashamed, of how out of control many things have gotten for me. I also realize again, where I am falling short as a mother. How can I expect my child to help out with certain chores, for example, this one, when in order to do the chore, it's as if I am asking my child to do it while stepping into a huge cobweb!

To shine a spotlight on the trash routine, here it is....First, I take out the beach chairs, then the Christmas tree stand, then all the little grocery store bags filled with various plastic bottles and soda cans, (One day the bottles and cans got so overwhelming, I filled up my car and redeemed the money myself. I believe I had over 450 of them that I had been moving back and forth!) then the barrel lids, then the barrels. Oh, and the trash. That's usually stuffed in an amongst all of these. I usually bring out a box of new trash bags so that I can double wrap any and all of the bags in case any of them started leaking....I then put back any barrels and covers not needed, the beach chairs, Christmas tree stand and bottles. (And then sadly, after the trash is picked up, I take it all out again to put the empty barrels back.)

All this taking out and putting back reminds me of when I was in college and I rented a space in a driveway. I rented space in a elderly woman's driveway with 2 other girls that had cars on campus. The only glitche was I was the only one with a stick shift that no one else knew how to drive. So, to solve this problem, I had to always park at the top of the driveway and the other girls parked behind me. When I wanted to leave to go to work, I had to move each one of their cars (I had an extra set of their keys) into the street, move my car out and then move their cars back in. When I came home, I had to move their cars out again into the street, move my car to the top of the driveway and then move their cars back behind mine. Now, doing this over a period of months and month either proves that I am a really patient person or crazy, or maybe a little bit of both! So, here I am, 25 years later, emulating the same thing, moving things out, moving things back, over and over and over and over. Yes, maybe just crazy! I have to say though, when I have all of the trash double bagged and in a trash barrel with their lids on tight all lined up for the trash man, I feel this great sense of accomplishment, like they are a row of birthday packages with neated curled bows ready for a party.

As I stated in my last post, the first chapter in Regina's book deals with the kitchen. I had lots of trash when I was done "tearing though" the kitchen. Funny, too, my son came home and said, "Mom, you tore through the kitchen." And I said, "That's just what the book said to do, I must be doing it right!" Well, as I dug though all my cabinets, I couldn't believe all the food that had expired. And, I truly thought I had at least looked at my food the last few months...How could I have spices that expired years ago? I also found something petrified... I thought it was a potato, but then I recalled that in my old apartment I had left some potatoes in a cabinet and totally forgot about them. One day I opened the cabinet and leapt back with a scream! There were what looked like trees growing in there! I had no idea that could happen from a potato!

Finally, as I continued to dig through, I found cans and cans of pumpkin. I used to make pumpkin bread for the Nation (as my sister has said) during the holidays when I was younger, but as the years have gone by, my intention is there, but my pumpkin bread baking has been dwindling. I hate when cans don't have dates and none of these did so, I thought, "Start fresh, toss it!" But, I felt bad on the morning of trash day when I heard from inside, the garbage man yell out something about my trash being so heavy....it must have been the pumpkin barrel. Sorry Mr. Trashman! I must remember to give him a Christmas card this year with a Dunkin's gift card and maybe a loaf of pumpkin bread.

PS. My dream, some day soon, when I am finished with Chapter 5, "Tackling the Hidden Areas: Attic, Basement, Garage, Laundry Room and Guest Room" in Regina Leeds, One Year to An Organized Life, is to call my son from the grocery store and say, "Please put out the trash." : )

A small milestone....

2009-08-11T03:58:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, one big reason I realized I need to get organized is because of the stress I have been feeling, and how every little project becomes a big project to me because of it....

Last night, as I was grocery shopping, my phone rang. It was my 13 year old son calling from home. He called to ask me if he could make cookies, slice and bake no less. Normally and honestly, this would have thrown me into a tizzy, a Lizzy Tizzy, thinking, "Ok, now...first, he'll have to take all of the pots and pans and lids, (some glass, which could break) out of the oven and put them all on the counter. Hopefully they won't all come crashing out from being overstuffed in there. Next, he will have to find a cookie sheet, and who knows where there is a cooling rack?? What about a pot holder?, I don't want him to burn himself. Finally there is no counter space to even put the cookies, with all that stuff on it, to slice and bake!! I know without a doubt, I would have said, "No, not right now, wait until I get home" (So, you can watch your mother in person become Lizzy Tizzy right before your eyes!) Sounds like tons of fun doesn't it??

Well, to my surprise, last night when he asked me, I thought about my kitchen and suddenly felt a calm and happy feeling and an unexpected sense of relief. One Year To An Organized Life is broken into chapters by month starting with January's, "Working on the Kitchen." Although it is summer, I decided to start with the first chapter when I bought this book a few weeks ago. It has taken me a few weeks to tackle my kitchen, but as I stood in the frozen food isle last night, I realized how much all that hard work paid off. My son told me he already had his cookie sheet out and he asked me if he needed to put anything on it? I told him if he wanted to use parchment paper it was in the drawer with the sandwich bags and aluminum foil(!) Next, I told him that there was a cooling rack in the cabinet in which he found the cookie sheet(!) He told me he had already preheated the oven, to which I breathed a huge sigh of relief knowing there were no longer any pots or pans or miscellaneous for that manner cooking in that preheated oven at this moment. And to boot, I had just cleaned the oven last week(!)

(I remember preheating my oven one Christmas Eve day to bake scones for my sister and niece only to realize I had forgotten to take out a plastic lid that I had stored in there. It had dripped all down the rungs of the oven rack....what a mess! No scones that Christmas Eve Day!)

Finally, I told my son where the pot holders were located (!) so he wouldn't burn himself.

....A small milestone, my son making slice and bake cookies. I realized though, most importantly, he will remember this moment, if he remembers it, as a moment of independence without his stressed out mother reacting as if he had asked me if he could make a cheesecake from scratch in a kitchen that always felt under construction.

Who knows? Now, with our clean kitchen, maybe he can make that next! : )

Getting organized....

2009-08-10T05:11:00.000-07:00

I have accumulated things since forever. I have a few memories of my room as a child being neat with my collection of favorite nicknacks placed exactly where I wanted them on my shelf and my stuffed animals all comfortable on the rocking chair in my room. But, for the most part, I remember my room being a disaster and it has remained that way through college as well as adulthood. I remember my mom contemplating when I was little whether to get me a rug or a long winter jacket one Christmas. My brother said, "Why don't you get her the jacket because she will end up throwing it on the floor when she's not wearing it and it will serve both purposes!" lol

Today, I live in a 2 bedroom condo with no basement and no place to hide from my stuff! I have been feeling like a prisoner of all of my things as I try to navigate around my home, in and out, around and over, the time has come, I have got to get organized.

A few weeks ago, I went to the bookstore with a gift card in hand to search for a new book on getting organized. I came across a bright blue book with rubber ducks all in a row called, One Year To An Organized Life by Regina Leeds. I sat down with a cup of coffee to preview and as I read page after page, I thought this is the book for me : )

Regina gives you a year to make changes so you can "plan carefully and never once be overwhelmed." That is exactly how I have felt lately, overwhelmed...where you wonder how on earth can I begin to tackle all of my stuff and you give up before even trying...Well, with her book never far from me I have begun the process of tackling my life's accumulations so that I can feel free from clutter and more open to being creative (which I miss) and most importantly, ready for company in a moments notice : ) I am tired of saying, I would have you over but my house is a disaster or telling my son if your friend comes over you need to stay outside because the house is a mess...

My neighbor came over the other day to drop of cans which my son and I redeem for fun money and she peeked in and said, "Oh my?!, cleaning out??" I was so embarrassed!! All of our stuff, my stuff, from my last job, my car (which is being repaired) is in my hallway and unavoidable as you look in our door. These days are over! I am determined! There is so much I look forward to as tackle my clutter.

I truly look at this as taking a class in getting organized. Because I am changing lifelong habits I really need to visit what Regina says daily. She encourages you to have a journal, answering questions about why you think you operate in the manner in which you do etc...She also tells you to get a calendar and create a "dream board" in which you put pictures of what you want your home to look like....

Here I go...hope all this good information sticks : )

2009-07-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

Sandwich is my favorite towns on Cape Cod. Here are some pretty roses along one of the picket fences on Main Street.

Rocky =^..^=

2009-06-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

Our cat Rocky enjoying the newly cleaned patio for summer : )

My favorite thing to collect ...

2009-06-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

I have been collecting heart rocks since I was 14 years old. I found my first one on Cape Cod.