Finished It But . . .

Finished It But . . .

This week I worked on using up my stash of fabrics . . . 
                                
I had this stack of precuts plus abijillion more.  And I made this . . . 

It turned out much cuter than I expected even with a mistake . . . 

That thankfully was the very last block. My poor doggies are upside down!
I made this in an attempt at using up all those cut blocks.  That were mostly florals.   Which needed to be used.  I certainly stepped out of my comfort zone by putting all these fabrics and themes together. 
And, I was on a roll until I ran out of thread.  So this little number sits and waits for the fabulous border  I have planned. 

But when I'm in a mood to sew I can't be stopped. 
I found a spool of navy thread and I produced these . . . 

And a close up of a couple of the blocks . . . 

I was using these pre-cuts.  Most of the center blocks were small. 
The centers are 2"

Love how the pink one turned out!

I seriously have no idea where that white thread came from. 
There is no white or even very light grey in this cottage. (that I know  of! ).  I sewed this entire group of blocks with Navy thread. 

I am indeed a Maverick quilter.  

Thanks for coming over.  I'm going back to the sewing room as soon as I finish cooking dinner!  

Tonight I'm linking with . . . 
Crazy Mom at Finish It Friday, Make My Saturday Sweet
and Blue Monday and a few other linky's I'll add later!  HeHe.

Smoothies For Runners-Book Review

Smoothies For Runners-Book Review

                                                            
Overview provided by Barnes and Noble . . .

Smoothie. Doesn't that word just roll off the tongue nicely?

The smoothie has to be one of the greatest inventions (or accidents) in the world of food. But for the runner, it can be one of our best friends. A smoothie can be the perfect recovery food after a long run, provide fuel before a workout and offer a quick and nutritious meal on the go.

CJ Has Been a Big Fan of Smoothies For Years

Not only are there endless combinations that taste great, but these same combinations can do wonders for your health. In every smoothie CJ makes, at least one fruit is listed in the ingredients. Some will have more. But in his humble opinion, when you remove fruit, you no longer have a smoothie on your hands.

What You'll Get:
Top 10 Tips and Tricks for Smoothie Prep
What To Eat Before The Run
8 Pre-Run Fuel Smoothie Recipes
What To Eat After The Run
8 Post-Run Recovery Smoothie Recipes
Finding Your Ideal (Racing) Weight
8 Raw Green Smoothie Recipes
8 Healthy Dessert Smoothie Recipes
Plus, a special bonuses at the end!

CJ looks forward to exploring the world of smoothies with you as we seek to give our bodies what they truly crave both before and after a run.

And I thought . . . I received a complimentary e-copy of this fabulous little book.  As I scrolled through the pages I couldn't help but want to go shopping and buy ingredients to make a smoothie.  And, I'm not a fan of smoothies!  I'm not a runner either but reading this book made me wish that I had/have a more active lifestyle.   

Some of the fabulous recipes inclue:

Cinnamon Roll Recovery

Blueberry Bonk

Savory Splits 

Mocha Morning Warm Up 

Each and everyone sounded delicious!  I am going to purchase this book for my daughter who is a new runner.  She would greatly benefit! 

I recommend this book for anyone who wants to get into shape!

I give Smoothies For Runners and high 5, a thumbs up and 5 big 'ole stars. 

I am also posting on Good Reads and linking at blog parties including:

The Art Of Homemaking,  Share Your Cup, Creatively Unleashed, Home Sweet Home Fri.,

Funtastic Friday, Simple Saturdays Blog Hop, Saturday Sparks, Sundays at Home,

Share It One More Time Sundays, Inspire Me Monday, Busy Mondays, The Scoop

Show/Share Tuesday, Tuesday with a Twist, and Wake Up Wednesday.

This review will be posted at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Books A Million.

Blue Ribbon Trail Ride--Book Review

Blue Ribbon Trail Ride--Book Review

                                       
                                                     
This Y/A was a fun read for me. (even as an adult) I was super impressed with the authors knowledge about horses and riding disciplines.  She did an excellent job propelling the reader into the story.  
The story is about Kate and her friends Tori and Colt and their plan to host a Trail Ride to raise money for autistic children to go to a special camp just for them.  
Everything is going well until the money box disappears just before the event!  The three decide the only thing to do is try to find it kind of Hardy Boys style as suggested by Colt.
I loved the story because it reminded me of my years of reading Trixie Belden. 

I expected the other books in the series would be 'mysterish' storylines but they are not. 

What I enjoyed most about the book(s) besides the horse theme was that the author brought into the storyline some other themes/life struggles that the youngsters learned to cope and deal with. 

This book includes Autism (Kate's younger brother is autistic) as well as the struggles of the elderly.  (the neighbor is a hoarder)

Kate learns to trust God and to ask him for direction in many situations.  Sometimes only after making a few mistakes on her own. 

I loved the the additional 'A Little More' follow up at the end.
And the 'Secrets for your diary' questions. 

This was an easy read.  I would love to share these books with my grand children when they are a little older.
I think these would be excellent books to read together as a family. 

This series would be a great addition to a school library.

I highly recommend this series Horses and Friends by Miralee Ferrell 5 Blue Ribbons

Buy yours today at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Christian Book(dot)com 
(click on the bold for a direct link to purchase)

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review.

This post is linked at
Blue Monday, The Art of Homemaking, Titus Tuesday at Cornerstone Confessions,Titus 2sday
at Time Warp Wife

Falling into Fall

Celebrating Fall . . .

   
Last September I got to take our grandson to a Pumpkin patch.  It was the first time a few years.
We had a great time.  He got a little 'put out' with photos.
So we took a break . . .

    
A boy can look at only sooooooooooooo many pumpkins . . .
                     
I am counting the days till the Pumpkin Patch opens!

Linking with the Fabulous Fall Linky party.

Messing with my mind

On my list....Starting a new blog.  I guess it really is time. 

Google is messing with my mind.  I guess my original blog is there but I am locked out. 

Here I am only able to post.  I can't get into settings to change anything because I am locked out. 

Just to let you  all know if your blog is associated with an an email address you don't use be aware.  They will close the email and lock you out.

If your not backed up on your phone so they can send you a text your toast.  As far as I can tell. 

If anyone knows any way around this I would love to know! 

My new/old blog home . . .

It has been way too long since I have been here.  Life got away.  I've been posting on my original blog until recently.  Somehow I have lost my password and google won't let met change it.
It reverts back to the original email address which I have never used. 

So here I am again.  I miss the old place.  I shared a lot there from my heart. 

But, maybe it's time for a change. 

Who knows.  We'll see what happens.  At least I can visit my friends and let you know I've visited and leave a comment now!

Round

Photo Inspiration prompt:  Round

Joining for Thursday Inspiration Click Here

 

Blue Monday

Someday I will have a . . .

It might look like this . . .

      
or something like this . . .

It might be sitting in a field . . .                     
And I will probably paint a quilt.  Or hang a quilt on it.  There might be snow on some days.

And it will be filled with these . . .




And there will be this sign . . .





I want a barn.  And even if it isn't Blue I'll be happy.  But wouldn't a Blue Barn be cool. 

Just ask Sally over at Smiling Sally.  She loves everything in Blue.  Click Here to join Sally at . . .

Blue Monday

All images via Google

How Do You Make Potato Soup?

So I am wondering?  Do you have a favorite Potato Soup Recipe?

Lunch at the Cottage today is a heapin' bowl of Potato Soup. 
It's a little rainy and cold today.  And Soup sounds perfect.

I don't really have a recipe.  And most of the time I just wing it. 
And so today I thought I would see if I could get a little help. 

My first stop is always Pioneer Woman.  Is she not amazing? 
Here's what her steaming bowl of yummy soup looks like . . .





And as always she has a cast of characters . . .



My little cast is a little different.  My method is a little different. 
But it turns out yummy just the same. 

So do you have a great recipe?  Wanna share it? 

Well if your like me and you don't have a real recipe click here to go Pioneer Woman's.  And well heck even if you do.  Just go on over there and visit.  You'll be smiling when you leave!

Linking with Melissa at

Click Here

So if you have a great Potato Soup recipe I'd love for you to share it with me! 

Blue Monday March 21

Random/Favorite Blue

sharin a little random and favorite blue photos. To start . . .


A favorite...his 1st bday....looking forward to the 3rd bday in May....wonder if there will be any Blue?

Waiting for these because they mean Spring!

Just think these are cute and Blue! Thanks for coming by. Have you already been to Sally's? No? Well Click here and go by and check out more Blue!

Random/Favorite Blue

Mosaic Monday

My husband teaches Drivers Ed. these are a few images he had on his computer. I thought they were fun. . .

Blue Monday on Saturday

Posting my Blue Monday photo's on Saturday in case I don't get to use a computer on Monday.
Loved some of these Country Living and Good Housekeeping images.
Enjoy . . .

Blue Monday

I am Blue today. Photo found on Yahoo story yesterday warning of a winter weather advisory. I want to go back to my photo the other day that showed spring!
So today I am Blue.
And, I am kinda Blue for another reason. My computer crashed yesterday. Don't know when I'll get another one. It was the computer
we use for our ministry.
We were setting up for church yesterday morning and it just crashed. We had a computer guy look at it and he said it is a goner.
So I am really, really Blue today. Would you say a prayer for us. I need a new computer by Thursday so my drama team can practise for a performance next week. For more info. about our ministry check out our blog. Click here.
Sally has lots of Happier Blue posts today click here to visit.