Bad Dog or Circus Dog??

Abbey yelled from the other room, "Grammie, come quick!" Well, I don't know about you, but those words usually bring me to my feet fast to make sure everything is okay. Usually, the reason they want me to come quick is to see some TV commerical of a toy they want me to buy!! However, in this case, I came into the room to find my dog standing on two legs in the corner. All I could think of was that she looked as if she was in the "time out" corner! That would mean she is a "bad dog", but we think she is actually a "circus dog" with a long history of traveling the circus performing her tricks. Now we are her audience. Lucky us!!

Postage Stamp

I know this cartoon was supposed to make me laugh, but it did quite the opposite. It made me a little sad. Sad to think that this next generation will be rather unfamiliar with the concept of writing and sending anything ~ a card, a letter, a thank you note. Yes, we have many means of communicating in today's world. Email, text, cell phones all offer instant ways of reaching others. I just can't help but feel they are efficient and yet somewhat cold.

Remember receiving a birthday card from your grandma? I have several that have four cent stamps on the envelope! Remember receiving a note from a friend who just wanted to say "hi" and see how things were on your end? It somehow made your day. Remember receiving a thank you note for a gift you gave someone? I don't care what anyone says, thakn you notes are still, and always will be, necessary. My children knew they couldn't play with the toy or cash the check until they wrote the thank you note! Is that such a bad lesson to learn?

If you have read this blog this far, I challenge you to write a note, any note, to someone who matters to you and MAIL it...with a postage stamp!! It doesn't matter what it is, if the note is long or short. It may be an article you found in the paper or a magazine that made you think of them. Go the extra mile and rip it out and send it to them saying you were thinking about them. They will be touching the very paper you were touching when you wrote the note. They will feel your love and warmth. I promise. Who knows, it may just be the bright spot in their day!

TP Pumpkins

Being around a creative person, makes me want to be creative. Having spent the afternoon with my MOST creative friend, JoEllen (her quilts are legendary!), I couldn't wait to get home and start a few projects I had seen for fall.

For this one, you take a roll of toilet paper and "smush" it down a bit so it doesn't have the exact look of a roll of tp.

 Next, you wrap the roll with a sheet of newspaper. For all you perfectionists out there, accept the fact, right now, this will NOT be perfect!!! It is okay, I promise.

Then, you take a piece of fabric that is approx 22" x 18". In fabric lingo, I learned today, this is called a "fat quarter". My sewing guru friend explained that they were cut and wrapped in that size and sold, however, simply buying a 1/2 yard of fabric and splitting it down the middle does the same thing for a smaller price. The half yard will make two pumpkins. You begin the same wrapping process that you did with the newspaper. Again, it's not perfect and IT IS OKAY!!!

Raid your yard (or the neighbor's) for some sticks approximately 4" or 5" long. Poke them down inside the roll. You can glue gun or not glue gun the stick as you like. They stay pretty well without gluing.

Add some ribbon and Ta-Da!!! Adorable pumpkins in minutes that will really add some fall color to your home. Gotta go and make some more! I They are so cute! I'd love to see pictures of any you make.