Spring....

Spring has been here for several days now and the closest we have been to spring-like weather was yesterday when it was close to 70.  We drove with the sun roof open and the sun warming our hearts like there would be no tomorrow. But tomorrow did come, and it poured buckets...then it snowed. It snowed last week between rain showers.  Maybe there is a reason I see more "wellie" type boots in the store. I am tempted to buy a bright red pair to match my bright red umbrella. By then, maybe the weather will "spring" back to warmer temperatures! In the meantime, I keep snugging into my sweater as much as possible!

Inspiration!

I volunteer for Susan G Komen for the Cure as the Public Policy Chair for my local affiliate, which serves 14 counties in Eastern Washington. As a Breast Cancer Survivor myself, I know the importance of advocacy and how it impacted my survivor rate. Many have no voice at all in their diagnosis or their treatment. Many have no idea how to go about getting a mammogram let alone choosing the right doctor who will treat them against all odds. I was so inspired to learn about Bridget, the young survivor whose story is a very real reminder of why I work as hard as I do so we can live in a world without Breast Cancer.

Spring Cleaning already?

I like to think I am organized and on the job that is who I am. At home I am the packrat and the one who will leave things on the counter or worse yet, on my sewing table! Last year I worked to organize this room but as with all spaces, all the best intentions can go awry and before you know it, bam! Back  at square one or worse!

This week when I couldn't find a pattern to loan to my student I vowed to find it and put it in between the doors. I did not find it and did not fulfill my promise. It has taken me twice as long to find things and that means one thing. It is time to clean it out and get realistic on what can and cannot enter that room. Instead of a haven this afternoon I want to close the door and think about it another day. This hampers my creativity. Not a good thing. Mission Organization I am coming back for another dose.  I want it to look at least at organized as these pictures from when I began last time.  It isn't going to happen over night or over a week. This time I have to purge things that have nothing to do with sewing that landed on the spot for lack of anywhere else to go.

Does anyone else do this?

Happy Leaping Leap Year!

Leap Year is here only once in four years! Imagine having your birthday on February 29th. My dear late Aunt Eleanor was a Leap Day baby, born on that day in 1904. I calculated how old she would be in "leap birthdays" and she would be a mere 27 years old.

I was frightened of my Dad's older sister and for no good reason other than she was a tall large strict woman. As I grew older and far long after her death I learned so much about this kind woman that if she were alive we would have been close. Or...at least as close as possible for a woman born to German immigrants on a Midwest farm where "children were seen and not heard."  As the oldest daughter with a lot of responsibility, she put up with no nonsense and expressed herself with a booming voice that made one stop to give pause. She never stopped being my Dad's big sister and in their quiet remote ways I know they loved each other as only brothers and sisters can do.

She was a peacemaker, a great cook, compassionate, generous and loved to play pinochle.  She had a great capacity to love behind a facade that was in keeping with her old ways.

I celebrate her birth 108 years ago. I wonder...would she have celebrated March 1st or February 28?

Whew! What a Week...

This week I started a new 'day job' at a wonderful university in our city. It has been an exhausting week and I have a feeling that this weekend I will vegg out with a good book or Downton Abby marathon. I am not whining but it is tough getting into the routine.

My husband gets home from work before I do and he has had dinner ready every time I have walked in the door this week. Last night the aroma of tender baked chicken greeted my senses when I opened the door. Little things mean a lot to me and those little things show so much love.

 I received the following blog post from Tracie Miles in my email box earlier this week. Take a peek and see if you can identify with her in any part of this post. I know for myself, it struck a chord.  Happy Thursday!

Happy Valentines Day

I have fond memories of making my valentines mailbox in school.  It was most often made from a shoe box but once we decorated oatmeal boxes. Decorating that cylinder was challenging yet fun. I had dreams of the perfect mailbox made from that canister. I am sure the finished result was a masterpiece to my young little girl's enchanted eyes. Today there will be a lot of excitement for children celebrating this day of love with pink cookies and cupcakes. Conversation hearts will be read as each child accepts that personal message from a boy or girl and takes the message to heart. 

I wish you all a wonderful day this Valentines Day, a day of love and memories.

Remembering Whitney Houston

Tonight I remember Whitney Houston, a woman with a golden voice. I remember her singing The Greatest Love, a song I learned at a time I needed those words the most. I first heard this song sung by another woman but embraced it again when Whitney recorded it. You see, my children were in school by then and these words resonated for them. It became a popular song for the choirs to sing at school performances. The kids eagerly waiting for  us to hear them sing a cool song , one that was so popular, so hip with the times. As I look back I remember the times I heard her sing. I loved the movie The Bodyguard and hoped that in the end she would marry Kevin Costner's character and live happily ever after. I loved her singing One Moment in Time and of course, the Star Spangled Banner. Not many people can sing that wonderful song to my picky ears and linger on as a good singer in my book. She did. As I remember her tonight, I remember her as a beautiful, talented woman whom I hope will rest in peace. Her voice lingers on through technology and when we hear it again on the radio it will take us back to times we remember because of her, singing a song...like this!

A Penny Saved....

Benjamin Franklin said a "Penny saved is a penny earned"....the same thing doesn't apply to pounds...too bad they are harder to "spend" than pennies! 

A great day for a long drive.....

Yesterday, we took a long drive down through the Palouse, a farming region south of our home. We drove to Uniontown WA, where the Dahmen Barn holds court for artists of many mediums. The talent ranges from stunning watercolors, photography, jewelry and fiber arts, pottery and other forms of delightful art. I love this barn, lovingly restored to its beauty from days gone by. These frosty wheels are just a couple of many sizes and types that make up the fence along the barn.  the inside of the barn has three floors. You can visit a visiting artist in residence, take a class or simply spend your time enjoying the art as my husband and I like to do. There are tourists visiting with cameras, photography clubs taking advantage of many views to capture and art students who enjoy being able to express their view of this Palouse treasure.  I bought a lovely pair of handcrafted earrings, made by a local artist. I also purchased a bag of Joseph's Grainery Multigrain Pancake Mix at the barn. This is a family business spanning five generations over 70 years near Colfax WA. in the heart of the region. This is a close to the farmer as you can get for whole grain goodness. My family loves these pancakes, especially gathered around the big table at the cabin. Whether with huckleberry or pure maple syrup, these have become a tradition!  What a lovely trip it was and we were back for dinner and the comfort of our own home.  I love our area, so close to nature, so close to traditions that are a big part of the western part of the country.

Google+, Stumble Upon....

There are so many ways to connect on the web. Does anyone use Google+ or Stumble Upon?

Nutrition and Health

On any given day, especially in January, we are bombarded with commercials and magazine ads on diet, exercise touting the best way to lose weight. I have shared in the past my desire to get back to a healthier weight. I have not done that yet. There! I said it out loud. I have this weight that keeps hanging on like a clingy friend who won't let loose. That said, I have made progress.

I think one piece that is missing from many of our weight loss goals is learning how to eat and what to eat. Good whole foods are the best. I know some of you may think that is an expensive option. Take a trip around the grocery store and compare foods and prices. Look at serving sizes, nutrition and how many how many items on the label that you can't pronounce. What is this unpronounceable ingredient? Will it make it taste better, look better or last longer? Enough said.

I follow a blog called Musings of a Housewife and today her post about Food Safety VS Nourishment inspires me to push myself to challenge myself to really get off my duff and look in the pantry.  I'll weigh in next week to check my progress not only on the scale but also how well I feel.