It feels a little weird to write 2013.  There is something about that number 13 that makes my body cringe.  I am not superstitious so to speak.  However, In 2001 I took back a license plate that was mailed to us, after sending in our renewal.  The number was 666.  Now, again I want to say I am not superstitious but that did bother me, being raised in church most of my life.

When I approached the desk to speak to the woman behind the counter at the MVD, she ask if she could help me.  I told her I needed a new number for my tag and showed her the 666 plate.  She immediatly grabbed a new plate and said quickly, "I don't blame you."  This was in August of 2001.  My husband died unexpectdly Oct. 11, 2001.  Now, I don't know that the plate had anything to do with it...I am sure not.  But it did cross my mind....

 On a more cheerful note;  I have made a committment to read every morning and journal something...anything.  A few lines to several pages.  Just depends on what is in my head.  This morning I had help.  This is Simon.  He is 17 years old.  Usually he has his head on my hand when I am reading.  I am not a cat lover persay...but I have 2 cats that have been left with me from my daughter and granddaughter.  They have both moved away,  and have their own families, but not cats!!!    

 

One more look at Christmas before it comes down!

This reminds me of when my Grandchildren were in the Nut-
cracker ballet.  My daughter Laurie, and all 3 of her children
were performers.  Soooo many years ago.

The stocking that was given to me at the hospital when I
had my youngest daughter Leslee, who is now 39.  It is on
my tree every year.

                  

Have a wonderful day, and come back.  I plan to share many stories, expecially now that I am old!!  xo                         

A scene from the last day of 2012

It is confusing to think about where this year has gone.  My head is swirling with memories of the winter dryness in Jan. to the healing of a loved one in March.  Summer was blistering hot, which made it uncomfortable to even enjoy the outdoors.  A/C was a blessing for many months.
November was filled with excitement for my Granddaughter's wedding, which followed Thanksgiving by 2 days!!

 Claire, my granddaughter is wearing a dress I made for her out of an old wedding dress I found at the Goodwill.  There was beading down the front and on her belt.  Box pleats all around the waist.  She was the flower girl.  That is my Grandson, Joe, the ring bearer. 5 and 6 years old.

 The Bride and Groom

My granddaughter Meggan
My new Grandson Ron.

The Lussier's






 I made all of the bouquets and flower arrangement for the chapel.  As you can read, there has been no time for blogging.

 

Me, Lois,Betty and Mary.  All in birth order 

 

Birthday party for 2 of my sisters who share Dec. dates with me, and 2 of my daughters.

Christmas was full and fun.  Family, prayers, grans and greatgran.  Life was good this year.  I look forward to the excitement of a new year with a new greatgran on the way.

Hello from the Land of Oz.  

We were blessed to have survived the terrible storms all around us last weekend!!

No damage at my home, however there were several area's very torn up in my city.

                                       http://www.kansas.com/2012/04/15/2297609/aerial-photos-of-storm-damage.htm

On a happier note, I am sharing some photo's that were inspired by a favorite blog, http://indulgeyourshelf.blogspot.com/.  Laurie posted some photo's of needle cases and sewing articles that reminded me of the items that I made a few years back.
Brenda, at http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/inspires me with her self-discipline making all the beautiful pillows, towels, etc.    Beth is a friend I met at Bird Song last year; http://bethleintz.typepad.com/gathering_dust/.  She loves to hand sew and does a fine job!!

The Hussif I made, is a little book  made out of silk dupione and then embellished with gathered treasures.  The lace was overdyed as well as the silk ribbon.  All the the items I have pictured, I made at Attic Heirlooms in Wichita, owner is Julie Craig.  She is an amazing artist and teacher.


I found this blog interesting as well;  http://secretleavespaperworks.blogspot.com/2010/02/hussif-victorian-sewing-kit.html

I hope you all enjoy my little post today.  I sure enjoy visiting all of you and peeking into your life just a little.
                  

 

 The binding lace is from France

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I wish for you a love letter, and a box of chocolate's...just the kind you like. XO

A time of Reflection

So far, this month has brought waves of change in my life.

A turning point in many homes. New's that brings fear and wonder.

For me it is a time of reflection and balancing what is important and what isn't. Two friends have been diagnosed with Cancer, both very serious. I have found that I have a lower back problem that has to do with aging, and I have a new pretty cane to walk with. I never expected this until maybe I was 80+ and then I could just sail on down life's highway and on to the next!! Funny how we think we will handle turning points..and funny how fast it happens!! I will see a Dr. that will inject happy juice in my back, (never have done this before), and then I will see the Surgeon just for a "meet and greet," so my PCP says. For now I go to PT 2 times a week, and wait for my appointment's next week. It is amazing what fear can conjure up in your mind when you do not know the unknown. I am sure what I will endure will be far less then my friends, and I am so grateful for them and their support of me.

Have a good day.

Leaving the Old Year......

The last day of 2011 is here. Thoughts of the past year flow through my memory like a river of no return.
I am looking forward to more travel this year, more creating, and time spent with friends.

I wish you all a peaceful end of the year, and a joyful new beginning.

And so....this was Christmas 2011

It finally came....and went. All the shopping, cooking, picture taking, visiting, wrapping, decorating...is gone for another year. Now, the dismantling of the decorations, the storing of boxes, etc. I have decided this year to throw away the tissue, ribbon and paper. I usually save everything but not this year. It will be fun to looks for the new next year.

I would love to say I will be a better blogger in 2012, but who am I kidding? I will try to post more of my escapades and creations....as I sure have plenty to do. I love reading all of my favorites and plan to incorporate some of their ideas into my furniture changes and painting. I have quilts to make, and dresses to sew for that cutie 4 yo grandaughter and now a cutie Great Granddaughter.

I send you best wishes for a New Year. I pray blessings on each and everyone of you who read my blog and hope to see some of you in an art class this coming year.

I will leave you with some of my Christmas memories this year....

A Great Granddaughter for Christmas. Welcome Harper Leigh Lussier

A little Charlotte doll I made into a snow queen. Don't you just love her?

Me and my girls.

Me and my grans, minus 2. Maggie and Myranda were out of town for Christmas. I will post after Wed. when I see them for Christmas celebrations.

My guy Scott getting ready to dive into an Apple Pie that Leslee made.

This is our four generation picture. Me, Laurie, her daughter Meggan, and Meggans daughter Harper. I am blessed. I wish Dick were still with us to see his beautiful growing family.

quilts

I call this follow the leader. My youngest daughter has always had a mind of her own and seldom followed the leader. If you look closely you will see one angel flying the opposite direction! lol

A little patriotic number that I gave away as well.

I loved the fabric I picked out for the backing.

Baby quilt August 2011

I made this one for my Granddaughter for her baby girl who is due in Sept.

Meggans baby shower....

Life is ever changing and my post this week is about becoming a Great Grandmother!!
That's right my first Granddaughter is expecting in Sept...the 19th to be exact.
We are all so excited. I hosted a luncheon for Ron, the Daddy, and his family before the shower. The flew in from Idaho. Ron's grandmother lives in Salina Ks.
These are just a few of the pictures taken.



This is my granddaughter Meggan who is expecting her very first child.

Her nursery colors are Black, Green, and Cream.

This is Ron. He is the daddy:-)

This is the quilt I made for Harper. My friend Dana Covey quilted it for me in record time. Don't you just love the colors? The back is flannel, to keep Harper warm.

COZY LITTLE HOUSE: Contact Me

COZY LITTLE HOUSE: Contact Me: "brendakula@gmail.com"
Holding you in my heart with prayers and hugs.
Tulsa is closer to me since I live in Wichita,
and I have a Niece who lives in Broken Arrow.
So, at some point we will meet.
Take this change, "one bite at a time."

Remembering...

I have an old doll trunk that I have filled with books by Tasha Tudor. I loved her no nonsense about living an authentic life and enjoying all the little things that make life seem so simple.
There is a creek across from my house, and I have often wanted to go there and set a small cake, with candles, afloat on the slow moving water. I have not done that because, "What would the neighbor's think." But I think that someday I will tip toe, after way dark, with a little gran faerie, and we will slip under the bridge and set a cake to float...with candles burning brightly.

~ The Feathered Nest ~: en masse ~

~ The Feathered Nest ~: en masse ~

P.S.

The outstanding white doggie in the last pictures is my friend and partner, Charlie.
He is a mix of Maltese, and The S breed that I can't spell but rhymes with spit!!
He is a doll and with me everywhere I go.