THE VILULA TEA GARDEN

...it was a little tea room in my memories...ladies wearing white gloves and pretty hats; soft and mended old linens on the tables; and heirloom roses in crystal vases....lovely.

March 31, 2009

My new flip-flop socks!


75% Superwash Wool, 25% Polyamid

machine washable as per label

100g

With Aloe Vera

approx.:420m

30sts on 2.5-3.0mm needles (US2)

gorgeous set color effects

start each sock with the same color sequence

knits just beautiful

shades are scanned from large picture and may vary
made in Italy

I love knitting purses, scarves, and shawls, but as a hot-natured person, I never wanted to make socks...until I saw this yarn. It has a kind of Fair-Isle striping as you knit... If I ever finsh them I will show you. It even has aloe-vera in the yarn for your feetsies! Don't scoff, I am going to make them with a split between the toe to wear them with my flip-flops, yes, my FLIP-FLOPS!!! Let me know what you think, peoples!

March 30, 2009

Laughter is the best Medicine!



Y'all! I have just had a laughing fit over at Crazy Aunt Pearl's! That Purl Gurl 'just ain't right' as we say in Georgia...or some of us do, not my daughter, of course...(Mo-ther! she would say!) Anyway, I got lost on a tangent...Pu-leese drop over at her blog and read some of her shenanigans!!! She's more fun than a barrel of monkeys! Her link is on the lower right side of this blog in 'blogs I like to visit'! Check it out!

March 29, 2009

Whining about my tooth-ache!


Please bear with me as I cry and moan about my tooth-ache...When it rains, it pours, and it has surely been raining here in Newnan, Ga.! I stayed in bed ALL day yesterday in a daze, taking my pain pills which didn't kill the pain exactly, just took the edge off! I could have taken two, but heaven forbid that I become addicted!!! So, I lay around and didn't care if it hurt...that wasn't too bad, I guess. I have fractured the anchor tooth of a bridge in the upper right portion of my big mouth...possibly from sticking my foot in it! I was not eating popcorn as is the most common way of fracturing a tooth...check out Mr. Bean's dilemma near the bottom of the blog! Believe me, I laughed until I cried on this one! I sure needed it!
Donations will be appreciated when I find out how much this is going to cost; by the way, I have only had this permanent bridge for two years...I fractured the exact same tooth and had to have THIS bridge! This is mean, but the other bridge I had, my dentist committed suicide before he could finish, so a periodontist had to glue it on for me! If I didn't have bad luch, I wouldn't have no luck at all...not to mention the poor dentist; he was a nice man. I know this is in poor taste, but I am in a strange, pity-party mood...forgive me.

March 27, 2009

Aprons, and Teacloths, and Dishcloths, Oh My!


Go to the Flirty Apron Swap and check out my guest author post! What an honor!

March 25, 2009

Yahoo!!! Calamity Kim is hosting a GIVEAWAY on her blog!



Get on over there and sign up to win some AWESOME stuff...at

http://calamitykim.typepad.com/calamity_kim/ -

She is hosting the giveaway in honor of her apron being selected in the very first issue of Apronology Magazine! You can win an copy, autographed by the absolutely bodacious Miss Calamity Kim herself, not to mention boo-koodles of other goodies!!!

March 24, 2009


"I love participating in swaps.. but I sometimes feel that I get all hung up on the extras of a swap. Correct me if I'm wrong.. but isn't there something wrong with spending another $10-$30 dollars for the extras after you have made the required item. Then add in the shipping on top of all of that!!!
Yes, it's great to get the wonderful extras... don't get me wrong. I have had my share of wonderful items given to me ;) But I think... or should I say... I need to rein in our extras a bit... Really I only want you to spend no more than $5.00 on store purchased items. Feel free to use what ever you have on hand to make your extras. I am sure your partner would rather have wonderful handcrafted items vs. store purchased anyway. ;) "...from Aunt Pitty Pat

I know I would love these items :)

Here are some suggestions of what you can add to your package:
Spool of Thread
One Candy Bar
Small package of cookies
Handmade tea bag holder
Handmade check book cover
Handmade Eye glass case
Sew your favorite item and share that with your partner
Small cloth drawstring bags (nice for the special items in your panty drawer)
Handcrafted Potholder
Make a pillow cover (sham type .. from your stash)
Make a cloth head band
Pincushion (handmade of course)
Handmade Rotary cutter bag
Handmade Project bag ( simple no frills)
Handmade Grocery bag
Handmade drawstring shoe bag
Handmade Needle book
One of those handmade.. scissor and strawberry fob things (I forget what they are called)
Handmade micro-wave heat pack
Handmade Cloth lunch bag
Handmade... sewing machine scrap bag (the kind used for sergers)
Handmade can cozy
Handmade chair cozies.. (the ones that hang over and you put your remote control and TV Guide in it.)
Handmade Bed Cozy (the kind that fit between the mattresses. You put your glasses and book in them)
Handmade cloth boxes (or bowls)
Handcrafted Stuffie
Pkg of Needles
Pkg of Rick Rack
Felt squares
Embroidery Floss
Recycle your favorite book or magazine
Emery board
Small bottle of Hand lotion
Take something from your stash that you haven't used yet (fabric,lace,buttons,tape measure, snaps, floss, rickrack, etc)
Old buttons
Send an old craft pattern
Last but not least... send that gift that you got for Christmas that you hated and will never use :)

"My brain is fried on ideas... I know my creative women can come up with something wonderful to make for their partners!
I hope everyone gets the idea... small is more with my swaps from now on!!! Everyone knows I have had a huge chop in pay.. and I know there are a lot more like me out there that wants to play but can't afford the expensive extras... so let back up and reflect... the swap item is really what matters here :) That is what we sign up for not the extras!!!!" Aunt PittyPat

I 'stole' the list and comments from Aunt PittyPat and adapted some of it for me...so if I am your designated swap partner, PLEASE follow the guidlines of no more than $5.00 extra in my package! I love re-used, thrifted, pre-owned and dumpster-dived stuff...REALLY!

The Kitchen Linens Book

The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabrics of Our Daily Lives The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabrics of Our Daily Lives by EllynAnne Geisel


My review


rating: 5 of 5 stars
an absolute treasure! This book should be passed down as an heirloom to future generations!


View all my reviews.

Shawnee, swapmama at The Flirty Apron Swap, is giving this book away...midnight last night was the deadline. I could not wait and bought the book yesterday at Barnes and Nobles, although I tried to win it on the blog. I absolutely LOVE this book! If I win it, my swap partner will receive the copy in her package, lucky lady! If you love vintage linens as I do, you absolutely must buy this book! The Apron Book is also a treasure and another must have...I have read it cover to cover again and again...if I ever have a granddaughter I hope she will love vintage linens and aprons as much as I do...I will do my best to encourage it...and I will pass these books down to her. With no grandchildren, yet, that's just a secret little wish I have. Don't tell my son and daughter-in-law. I try to keep my big mouth shut on that topic, teehee, but I can wish, pray, and dream, can't I?

March 23, 2009

Spring Spring, It's slmost Spring!


I feel like putting on my shorts, grabbing my honey, and going for a ride! How about you? What feels like Spring to you?


I really have enjoyed having the doors open and feeling the fresh air on my face. My hairy children have enjoyed laying in the sunshine on the screened porch...this is Rufus and Roxy posing for you!


Believe it or not, 'gators remind me of Spring...I love to see them on the banks of Lake Walter F. George in South Georgia, this time of year. What can I say, I love them; I don't get in the water with them though, teehee!

March 22, 2009

Harvest


I love the wild green onions that appear in my unkept yard this time of the year. We don't have a green expanse of perfect grass...of course, my husband would like it...but I have tiny violets that have grown in the bare spaces for years, wild onions, dandelions for greens...these are not weeds to me, they are Spring. I love to pull the tiny onion bulbs out of the ground, and wash them good under running water. Then you just put them in a jar and snip what you need...they will keep growing for awhile.
This morning I made my hubby a beautiful omelet with big brown free-range eggs from my friend Joe's chickens. I save my egg cartons and he just fills them up again and again...recycling as well as the best eggs in the world! I added my snipped wild onions, ham and cheese...he was one happy man!!
Next, for lunch, chicken with green onions sprinkled on...yummy. I could put these onions on most everything, if I had my choice!

March 21, 2009

New Kitchen Stuff!


I have been looking for a Ransburg Hand-Painted breadbox for a long time...


I was so excited to find the whole set! The dealer called the seller in Texas and she was kind enough to cut me an unbelievable deal on the whole set! That's my secret...teehee

March 19, 2009

Two Kate Bag


Help!!! I'm Screaming!











I can't get the darn thing to work right and I have STILL not been able to list the blogs that I want to give the Sisterhood Award to!!! I am screaming and pulling my hair out!

Sisterhood Award



I am finally able to take the time to list the blogs I have given the Sisterhood Award to! But where does it end?!? I could go on and on...as you can see, some of the blogs on my list are not crafting blogs...it may be that one is ideas for dinner for busy families; one may be for knitting and life; one is even pittrehab, who is a man! But each personifies to me what is sassy, and helpful and good, with an attitude!!! I enjoy the friendships of some and the blogs of all! Check them out!


March 17, 2009

STUFF that!


I didn’t ask for the cancer that took my uterus, ovaries and breasts, but it came.


I didn’t ask for my body to turn on it’s self and get fibromyalgia, but it did.


I didn’t ask for the wrong medication to damage my pancreas and cause Diabetes, but it happened.


I didn’t ask for Advanced Degenerative Disk Disease, Arthritis and Peraformus syndrome to put me in a wheelchair, but they have.


I didn’t ask for early onset Parkinson’s, but I got it


I didn’t ask for high blood pressure, Osteoporosis, CIB,CID, CFS, Asthma,

Nor did I ask for any of the side affects that go with treating all these conditions..

but I live with them every day anyway.


What did I ask for?

Dignity.

Respect.

And to maintain as much independence and quality of life as humanly possible considering all that I fight to live with daily.


Do I get what I ask for ???

No.

No, not from over worked health care workers and agencies who frequently need to be reminded the I STILL have human rights.


No, not from healthy capable State agency workers who’s mercy I live at daily.


No, not from politicians who’s political agendas don’t include the disabled


No , not from the Wal-mart Worker to “busy” to hand you something off the top shelf, nor the grocery store worker who hears you asking for help and chooses to walk away anyway.


No, Not from the city government who chooses to remain blind to the fact that there are still business owners out there who in the name of the al mighty profit refuse to ramp doorways, and open isles and make their stores more disabled friendly..


No not for the public transportation system who’s employees don’t want to be bothered with having to take 30 seconds to help one onto/into the vehicle.


No, I do not get what I ask for.


So WHY SHOULD I give any of them what they ask for?..




NO!


Myself and those like me WILL NOT stay out of sight and out of mind…





And to those of you who expect us to......


PBPbpbpbpbpbpbpb! NOT hapen'en people !


NOT HAPEN'EN!!!!!

SO take that and Stuff it in your Bottom line!


When I read this post on Nanna Grace's blog, I asked her if I could copy it and post it on mine...I got sidetracked with family problems, but didn't want to forget to do it. She is a fine example that we can all learn from...get up, get going, don't dwell on your problems, physical or otherwise, and do what you can to live your life to the fullest! In spite of all her problems, she is always thinking of others - putting recipes and great tips/tidbits on her blogs, sewing, crafting; just enjoying herself and making others happy while she is doing it! Please take a moment and reflect on this post. Think about how you might look at people - in the grocery store, shopping at the mall, even just crossing the street. Some of them are physically challenged, but don't want your pity...we all have our own lives to live, in whatever capacity! I am going to make the most of mine and hopefully, you will, too! Let's live life to the fullest!!! Let's have a big smile for others whether we feel like it or not! Let's be the one to reach up for the box on the top shelf for someone, or whatever they need. Don't wait to be asked! If they don't want your help, then they will tell you...don't be offended, just tell them to have a wonderful day and smile! "Treat others as you would have them treat you"; Also, since I am full of platitudes today, "What goes around, comes around"! If everyone, me included, would just help one person, wouldn't the world be a wonderful place? Think about it...

March 12, 2009

Death in the family...


Billy Cason, the father of my two children, died Tuesday, March 10, 2009...we have been divorced for many years, but were friends and I was still part of his family. His mother, sister, and niece are still dear to me and I always make a point to see them all at Christmas or Thanksgiving, as we live in different towns. Please pray for us all in this time of grief...Billy loved the beach. He loved nothing better than to be on the water in a boat, riding and riding. He always made a point of living near or on a body of water. He will be greatly missed by his family and children...always take the time to mend bridges, right wrongs, tell someone you love them...hold no grudges, you may never have the chance to tell that person you forgive them and regrets are very hard to live with. Those of you that can, please pray for my children and his mother, sister and niece in their time of grief...it will be much appreciated...Paula

March 8, 2009

I have received an award from Aunt Pitty Pat!


The rules connected to the award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post -

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude -

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post -

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog -

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award -

Color is the sugar in the tea!




March 7, 2009

Saturday is Violet












My mother's bedroom is done in the flower violet - the floor-length curtains, comforters on the twin beds, dust ruffles...even a picture frame of her girls and her...this color to me means my Mother...comforter, loving, giving welcome...

March 6, 2009

Friday is Blue...








Linky

Roxy

Roxy

Blogs I love to visit!

My Flickr

www.flickr.com
nursdurkin's items Go to nursdurkin's photostream

The apron I made for theFlirty/Sassy Swap!