Hodge Podge

Wow, I don't know how the days pass so fast. I think I just posted then the date tells me it has been days. Maybe it is because I am still in the same clothes and haven't left the house eh? I prepare all these great posts in my head but then decide I need a special picture or something scanned...then time passes and when they don't magically appear on my computer I forget about them. If I can get hubby to clear off the scanner and scan a few things I will have a special Fourth of July food post for you, fingers crossed. But for now I am going to share a "hodge podge" of things from the last few days.


For the last few months every Friday and Saturday night I have been scanning Craig's List for local yard sales. Last weekend there were over 300 in the greater Boston Area. Granted, about 295 are eliminated due to location and car issues so I focus on the few right close to us. I know I would find some amazing stuff if I went to some of the estate sales out in places like Concord and Lexington, old families and old money. Part of the problem is the weird schedules they have them around here. Now, at home, each sale runs Thursday through Saturday. People start showing up before 6 am and they run until late in the afternoon. Now granted, in Arizona it gets hot really quick so the earlier the better but I know a lot of other places where it is the same way. Well, here they go from 10 or 11 (no early birds please) and run til 1 or 2. Seriously, three hours? The way they are spread out and with traffic there is no way to make to more than 3 or 4 at the most. Well by the time I get up, take my pills, wait and wait for them to kick in then get ready to go there is only time to really pick 1 or 2 if they are close. So I usually just bow out. Well last week there were only a few in my area but I did find one just up the hill that was actually on from 9-5. I was shocked. The best part was that they had listed huge amounts of quality fabric. I went back and forth about going but finally D and I mosied up the hill to see if they were still open. Sure enough, tucked in a little side street was a few tables of things. As I got looking, the fabric got better and better. Most of it was high quality designer home decor fabric, remnants and huge pieces. It turns out that the owner was or is a furniture decorater. He covered chairs and made pillows and drapes etc. Of course that meant he knew exactly what each piece was worth but I did get a few beauties. He said he had only brought out a little and had tons of cottons and blends in remnant pieces. He couldn't show me then but said he would call and I could come to his work shop and go through everything myself. Sweet! Of course he hasn't called yet, but I do still have his contact info from the sale add. He also had lots of little vintage stationary packets for 25 cents each and some beautiful china sets which I couldn't afford. The fabric I bought isn't my usual style but I am learning that anything can work with the right project and fabric/color combos. The pink one is 4-5 yard Robert Kaufman piece, that I know will be perfect for something. I love the subtle metallic in the fans. The other two are a bit heavier but perfect for bags and pillows. Seven dollars for the lot, not bad.

You should see the beautiful flowers Ros from Bloom got photos of in her local botanical gardens. Keep in mind she is in Australia and it is the dead of winter. She sent me this picture this morning of this flower tree.

There are tons of these long blooms hanging down from one tree. We don't know the name of it but I have decided to play it Anne of Green Gables style and name them "Angels Tresses". You heard it here first! Aren't they beautiful. Go check out her other photos and wonderful blog full of great ideas and craftiness. She posted these pancakes yesterday stacked with bananas and sugar covered in cream and they look fantastic!

I was reading a few of Amy's posts this morning over at Angry Chicken. She decided to make her own deodorant. I have to say, though I admire her for doing it I don't think I am ready for that step for awhile. I am barely warming up to the fabric grocery bag thing...I have a ways to go before the deodorant. She also mentioned however, that she has stopped using shampoo for her hair and is now using a baking soda wash with apple cider vinegar "conditioner". Basically you just dilute a tablespoon of each in a cup of water (separately) and run it through your hair every few days. Apparently shampoos actually strip your hair of its natural oils which is why you need conditioner. Hair is actually most healthy when left alone to let the natural oils coat and protect the hair. I have heard this before. I only wash my hair with shampoo once every 7-10 days. Any more and it is impossible to handle. So I think I will give this a go, especially with my hair getting longer. There is a great post explaining everything and answering questions here. I know it sounds weird but Amy is liking it and not one person that commented about it was disappointed. So from here on out I am going to be poo-free. You heard me, baking soda or bust baby. OK OK, I will at least try it for a few weeks then let you know the progress. Thanks for the info Amy.

Oh wow, I almost forgot the best part of my week so far. I think I was too distracted by the cupcakes she posted today, that I almost forgot the wonderful little package of fabrics Nanette sent me. Her neighbor Laura is a wonderful cook and constantly brings Nanette the most amazing treats. Today was the kicker though...S'mores cupcakes. I held up ok after these and these and even this, though it was a close call (just scroll down a little on the post, you will know what I am talking about!). S'mores are my absolute favorite and I am an amazing S'more maker. It's true! I am not good at a lot of things but I can make you the best S'more you have ever had. Until I saw these cupcakes...wowee. Laura better watch out because if she keeps making these things for me to see, one day she is gonna wake up with a new grown child living with her, LOL.

See how distracted I get when cupcakes are in the picture! Where were we? Right, the most adorable little fabric stack ever. I have a very small fabric collection(compared to all of you ladies, not my husband lol) as I just started in the last few years. This stack has linen, Japanese prints, vintage prints etc. Many of them have a kitcheny theme and I adore them. Every one is so precious I can't pick a favorite.

I am going to have to find some very special projects for these beauties! Thank you so so much Nanette, it means more than I could ever say!

Every year Doug's family including cousins gets together at the lake. We have gone the last five years and loved it but realized that this year it was just a little much. I am still dealing with my medication issues until my insurance comes through. Our car is leaking coolant and we don't think it is up for the two hour drive in the heat so we would need rides there and back etc. We miss you guys! Hope your having a great time. Instead we are going to hang out here, maybe cook up something tasy (in my new apron no less) and enjoy each others company. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday. God Bless America!

Out on the Town and other stories

We have been getting these incredible storms at least twice a day. The sun will be shining and suddenly it is dark as night and the winds pick up. Then the thunder starts rolling (poor Bertha) and it clashes non stop for about 30 minutes. At some point the skies open and the rain poors down, like it has never rained before. This goes on for 30-60 minutes then is suddenly gone and the sun shines again. We are used to a lot of rain in the spring and summer, but this is different. These storms remind me of the tropics. In a way they are refreshing, they usually bring cooler weather but they also make it so the humidity stays at about 85 %, whew. We all know what that does to the frizz factor! It looks like one may be coming in now as the winds have picked up and the sky is getting darker. I wonder what all this crazy weather means. I know a lot of people blame it on global warming but I have a hard time believing that is the only cause.
(The image above is of the Christian Science building in down town Boston. This is just after a rain storm with the sun going down. Behind the building there is this huge "park" with mirror pools and huge fountains. There is also fountains that come right out of the ground and form water tunnels you can walk/run through. Nice in the summer time!)

I promised some pictures of us out on the town last week, a rare occurrence, I admit. Each summer, the Boston Pops do this event called Edge Fest. They get popular rock and pop stars to come in and do 2 nights of shows with them. They are trying to reach out to new audiences. They had Tori Amos recently as well as Ben Folds. Well last week they had this girl named Amanda Palmer who is one half of a local band called "The Dresden Dolls". They model themselves after the cabaret performers in the 30's and 40's in Germany. They wear make up and dress the part. They are also very talented. A few years ago they did a play called "The Onion Cellar" based on a book of stories that take place in early 20th century Germany. She wrote most of it and it centered around their original songs. I took Doug for Christmas and we became fans. I love unique talent, and they certainly have that.


Amanda is about to come out with her first solo album, featuring a lot of her on the piano. When we heard she was playing with the Pops, we knew it would be something special. She doesn't do anything small, she is too big of a presence. Her fans really came out for this. I think the conductor was a little shocked. Outside the theater there were these living statues.

She loves performance art and for years made money being the "bride" as a living statue in Harvard square. For those of you who don't know, they dress up and paint themselves to look like a statue. They stay completely still until you drop some money into the cup then they do a little mime act or something like that. I think she gave people flowers being the bride and all.

Most of her fans dressed up, dress up style. Big thrifted dresses, heavy make up, slips and fish nets etc. I just wore dress pants.

The theater is beautiful. We were on the second balcony but had a perfect view. Around the whole top of the room they had these white statues. I like the image of this statue I captured, she looks like mother Mary.

The first half of the show was just the Pops playing selections from The Planets, which was nice.

But it really started when Amanda came out. She really engaged the orchestra, did some traditional show tunes, in a not so traditional way, did some new stuff, had actors in some songs, a choir in another and even burlesque dancers. Her regular band is more artsy punk rock but this really engaged a wider audience. Even those who had never heard of her would have really enjoyed themselves. I am so glad we went. The Boston Globe has a great little video of her opening song from the first night. It gives you a good taste of the show.

The following pictures are taken by Chris Devers and are in his Flickr. I wasn't close enough to get these shots.


Since the last three times I have been out to a show in the last few years, was to see Amanda and the Dresden Dolls, I thought I would share a bit of our evening. I hope you enjoyed it.

Bloggy Bling

Hello everyone! I want to thank you all again for your wonderful words of support, advise, and comfort. Without them I would have felt very alone. I was able to ask for help from my church, and they responded swiftly and with great love to get me the two most important meds. The others will last until Saturday when Doug and I will now be able to get those. I am always amazed at how people really are willing to help when your in need.

I am back to my normal self now, and want to share some pictures. I may do this in two posts, we will see. First, I want to show you all the blog love I have received recently.

I won the May giveaway at The Blind Pig and the Acorn. I was really excited about this because not only do I love reading Tippers thought provoking posts, but I love her Appalachian folk paintings. Typically when we think of how angels are portrayed in art, we think of young beautiful almost fairy like creatures, or glowing cherubim. Tippers angels are older women, standing watch over us. Much like all the women in my life. The portrayal feels more realistic to me. Comforting.

The painting came framed with a few wonderful homemade cards. I keep her right next to me at my computer! She sells them in her Etsy shop, you should take a look. When I make my fortune I am going to get a collection!

The same day (all the giveaways I have won have come in twos!), I won Upstate Lisa's bloggiversary quilt!
What a win! She has been exploring her wonky side lately and made this great wall quilt of wonky houses. When I get a rod, it is going on my office door. That spot has needed something for a long time. When I showed Doug a picture of the quilt, he was not totaly taken in, but when he saw it, he LOVED it.

He shows all his friends when they come over! I love it too, I can't thank you enough Lisa for the beauty you have brought into our house (I also won her last one around Easter where we got these, which Doug whisked off to the perfect spot almost before I could photo them!). You have a fan in Doug, Lisa.

She even quilted little houses into the border. I don't know if you can see them but they are darling!

Those of you that have been reading lately know I was involved in the Flirty Apron Swap, Celebrating Independence. I was making for Sue Ann and was a bit nervous because she is so talented, plus she has a lot of aprons so I wanted this one to be unique. I posted more about it here. I used the pinup girl fabric lined with a very vintage blue gingham and with red and white polkadot prairie points on the bottom.
I am really pleased with how it turned out, especially since it is my first ever apron. Sue Ann received it monday, and I think she loves it. I tried to eminate the style she likes. The secret swaps are so fun. When you are researching the person, you almost feel like a secret spy lol.

I knew my apron would be here soon, and sure enough, when I got home from the dreaded appointment Friday there was a patriotic gift box with my name on it, all the way from GA.

Laura from Beelicious made me a gorgeous apron and included several goodies including glitter and address labels! I adore the apron, I almost don't want to take it off or use it, ha ha. It will get plenty of use!

Thanks so much Laura. I know there is another Flirty swap coming soon so stay tuned for that.

Finally, my partner in the Mini Quilt Swap is a lot more on the ball than me, the perpetual procrastinator! My mini quilt also arrived Friday, all the way from Jen "Hedgehog" in Finland.

According to the postage stamp, it only took THREE day! Amazing. The quilt is darling! It has an appliqued tree with button and quilted berries. You know I love trees. It also has a tiny hedgehog button at the bottom and this adorable label. I don't have a photo, but you should see it next to the angel painting. Perfect!



With all I was dealing with this past week, I didn't get as much done as I wanted but should have mine ready to send off this weekend, when I can at least post teasers. July's mini quilt theme is "triangles" so it looks like I am going to try my hand at some mini piecing. It is so nice to be feeling better and have more control over things for the moment. I have some great photo's of Symphony Hall and the Boston Pops show we went to last week, so they will be surfacing soon! I took this last photo yesterday while I was waiting for the sun to shine, in our back courtyard. George has done miracles back there. I know the name of these flowers but cant think of it at the moment. I always loved them though. They are full of flower personality. Have a great day everyone! Love Stacy

A storm and a calmness

that doesn't look good...
Originally uploaded by joeshaw

We got this incredible storm today. The thunder rumbled non stop for hours. Poor Bertha, she doesn't do well with thunder. One time she peed herself because it scared her so much, poor thing. She was deep in the corner of a closet and peed all over Doug's t-shirts. Sometimes she is so hidden we can't even find her.
On our way to the drug store there were all these big stones covering the road. We couldn't figure out where they came from. As we drove up the hill, we saw they had been carried from a lot a block away by the fierce amount of water that poured down the hill from the rain. These are strange times.
Thank you all so much for your kind words and prayers. Things are getting sorted out one piece at a time. I have been able to stay calm which I know has helped immensely. More soon. Love Stacy

Tight Rope

I am hoping that after this first sentence writing this will get easier. I have had a very difficult time trying to get myself to post this week. I obviously didn't do very well. Do you ever have those times when you feel like your walking a tight rope? You are holding steady, even if your a little shaky, but you know with a gust of wind or loss of concentration you will fall. That is me these last few days. Every time I went to post, I could feel those turbulent emotions under the surface start to rumble and became afraid of what might come out. So I sit still, breathing in and out until the moments pass and I can direct my attention to something more comforting. Starting my blog in Feb. was the first writing I had done in close to ten years, for this exact reason. I was always so afraid what would come out. Then I begin to fear the feeling of fear when I would think about it. So I put it on the shelf, so to speak.


I have been doing quite well the past while, learning the right balance for myself. Learning how to listen to my body and to my mind. It takes a lot of energy to maintain and function with my health, but I am doing it little by little. The truth however, is that I am kind of at my threshold. Walking that tight rope. When something comes up or goes wrong It can throw me right off, and it takes me a long time to get my balance back. Most of the time it is a bad cold or not being able to get my prescriptions in time, but this is a big one. And I am scared.

I went to my doctors appointment Friday, and was told at check in that my insurance had expired! I had been waiting for the renewal letter for months and had received other letters making me think it was still in place. Apparently it had come while I was in AZ and was set aside in one of many piles of mail that I never realized were there. I finally did find it yesterday. The letter was unmarked, no return address and looked like junk mail. Regardless my insurance ended without me renewing it in time. It takes three weeks for the renewal to process once I send it in today, which would be ok if my prescriptions weren't due to be filled tomorrow.

Let me just say that it has taken several years for me to get a good combo of meds and doses. And they aren't cheap. At the end of March, Doug's contract work ended with only 4 days warning. Luckily he found a job quickly but we did go 3 weeks without pay. With me not able to work, this left us a bit behind and have not yet been able to catch up. He doesn't get paid til Friday, and 4 days without my meds would probably hospitalize me. To add to everything my parents left on a 2 week cruise and tour of Italy and Greece on Tues. so are completely out of touch. I have a hard time when my mumsy is away. She is the person I talk with, rant to, figure things out with. She is my stress reducer. Doug doesn't like when she is away either lol. I do have Bertha, my little feline friend but she isn't very good with the feedback part of the relationship.

Part of me is ashamed and angry for making such a huge mistake. The other part knows that I really do everything I can and it just happened. I have two clashing emotions, one of intense fear and shame of what tomorrow will bring, and a sense of calm knowing that getting worked up won't solve anything. The calm part is a testament to how much I have grown and improved, mostly made possible by my medication. That calm will disappear emotionally and physically if I have to go without. I keep thinking a solution will arise as long as I do everything I can and allow that calm side to guide me through.


I was able to accomplish a few things though including getting all my long over due packages put together and mailed. Without that weighing on my mind I was able to make some progress on my little quilts, which really are a joy once I get myself to start working on them. We also went to a show at the Boston Pops Friday night which was wonderful. We got the tickets way back before the job change, and after realizing my new problem Friday it was great to be able to get away for a few hours. I took this photo from the cab on the way to symphony hall.

I also received 3 swap/giveaway packages this week which also cheered me up. I am really able to appreciate how positive blogging has been for my life creatively and in helping me keep a positive attitude despite all the curve balls life has thrown me lately. The packages were wonderful. I will show everything soon, as well as Pops photos. I really just wanted to get myself to write something which I am glad I have done. But this is about all I can muster for now. Getting some sleep will probably be the best thing for me now, so I can get that renewal form off first thing. Thanks for bearing with me through this. As many commenters said on my anxiety post, writing things out (especially with my family out of reach) can also be great therapy for a difficult situation plus a prayer or 50!
Photos and more craftiness very soon. Love Stacy

And it's off...

Great news, my apron for the Flirty Apron Swap is finished! I came up with the pattern on my own but did take a lot of tips from a great tutorial over at Lululollylegs. Thanks for such clear instructions girl. Pending non stop rain tomorrow, I will be able to get it down to the P.O. and off to its new home! I can't wait for that secret someone to get it, and to receive my own. This has been such a fun thing to do. I know Shawnee always has new ideas going through that pretty head of hers so check back soon if you want in on the next one! She does a wonderful job!