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Alice S
Louisiana
Interests: Movies, reading, gardening, occasional craft projects, cooking, canning home-grown vegetables, RV-ing, travel. Love to dote on my three rat terriers (terrorists!), Tee-Rex, Shug and the boy Pepper.
Recent Activity
You are so welcome! :-)
Economic Meltdown
Seriously, this last 2-and-a-half years have been hell for our family. How we've made it this far without losing our home is nothing short of God-intervention. But, today, I felt I needed to share with all you dear readers and friends the reasons why my posts have been sparingly. My state-of-...
I am truly sorry to hear y'all are going thru such a rough time. Doug and I have been there and back. Thank God you have been able to avoid the credit card trap!
When I read the part about Big Bear's wanting to treat yards, a light went on: take it one step further and get his commercial chemical applicator's license. This is what Doug does, treats turf and shrubs for pests and diseases. It's very lucrative. The best part is being his own boss -- no one can lay him off!
It's just a thought. If you want to know more on the subject, email me.
Good vibes coming your way, Alice
Economic Meltdown
Seriously, this last 2-and-a-half years have been hell for our family. How we've made it this far without losing our home is nothing short of God-intervention. But, today, I felt I needed to share with all you dear readers and friends the reasons why my posts have been sparingly. My state-of-...
Miss Sue, everything you touch becomes a work of art. Love your choice of fabrics/colors. If I owned a laptop, I'd pay you to make me a cover.
A Laptop Sleeve For My MacBook
Today I was productive. I've been procrastinating making my own laptop sleeve because I didn't have a pattern (not that I needed one really) and after looking around the web for the right instructions (because I don't have confidence in myself to do these things without instructions) I finally ...
Excellent, excellent post. The right thread does make a difference, and you thoughtfully have provided a very informative guide. Thank you!
How to Choose the Best Thread for your Sewing Project
As I have taught friends and family to sew, I have discovered that many think all threads are the same with the exception of the color. Not true. Threads are different - in blend, color, texture, shrinkage, and their ability to work well in your machine without breakage. Finding the best th...
Very interesting, informative post! As a lifelong seamstress, too, there is always something to learn with this fascinating, practical hobby. It's wonderful how machines have evolved with technology.
Thanks for the links. I have to get out of the brick Hancock Fabric mind set! That's all we have here, although I do love wandering among the bolts and trims, seeing and touching fabric.
My Readers Ask
I receive regular emails from readers who want to know what equipment I use and prefer for photography, fine art, and sewing, in addition to so much more! So here is where I answer your questions: PHOTOGRAPHY: Q. Hi Susan! What camera do you use to take your pictures? Megan, OR A: I use ...
Daddy used to tease us kids with:
With a knick knack paddy whack
Give a dog a kitty cat ...
"Oh, Dadeeeeee!"
Cute contest. Nice work there, Susan. Obviously, you care SO much for your family. Congrats to Kim.
Name That PackSack Contest!!
I finished making Glen's bookbag/backpack today and it came out great. So great in fact that I decided I needed to give these bags a nifty name. I only came up with half of the name - "PackSack." I like it. But, I need something before the "PackSack." Some-thing Packsack. (If you look at ...
I loved these. Well done, young lady.
Sarah's Creative Energy
My daughter, Sarah, has a lot of creative energy - sorta like her Mom, but I am so impressed with the little things she does. For a couple of years now, she has been making these "Picture Poems" as I call them, in Picnik and I wanted to share them with all of you! ...
Hahahahaa!
A Friday Funny
Havin' eggs? Blah ... Isn't love grand? ... E-ggads! No comment. "Dear Lord, please give me leggs so I can run." "NO! The Fork! The dreaded Fork! I don't want to die!" "OMG THIS IS HOT!" "He never had a chance poor guy." "Oh my! That is too fu...
This sounds scrumptious and hearty, perfect for these cold, wet winter days in South Louisiana.
Go Saints!
Tortellini Soup With Chicken and Spinach
Looking for a delicious soup that is quick and easy to make? The idea for this soup came from my sister's friend. But as with most things I make, I can't leave well enough alone. Having made a few changes, here is the simple recipe for a great meal in a bowl. This is so good, it's a must try!...
Talk about getting younger, hey, 58 is the new 48! Happy Birthday -- Alice (58)
Happy Birthday Beth!
Sometimes you just have to embarrass your friends. Well, maybe not, but there is one friend who laughs right along with me ... Beth. Today is her birthday. She is the only person I know who gets younger every year. Can you believe she is 21,170 days old?!!!! Or, somewhere there about. ...
Where's a kleenex when you need one? OMG, what a beautiful story. Your love for each other just leaps off the page. You bring out the best in each other.
Life with this Big Guy
To read the first part of this family saga - click HERE. Just before Bob and I got married, he told his parents that he was going to make sure that every day of our life together would be an adventure. His father waved his hand at us and said "Oh hell, you two haven't even had an argument ye...
Don't ya love spunky older folk? She reminds me of the "street" people in the French Quarter of New Orleans, where the locals are a cast of characters.
Also, your photo of fall color is awesome. Would you post some more? We don't get much of a display here in South Louisiana. Thanks!
Could My Life Get More Complicated?
Well, I'm sure it could get a lot more complicated, but I'm not going to think about that right now. For anyone who thinks I don't do much by being a stay-at-home mom - think again. This week alone I have been so busy I have completely neglected my laundry and now it looks like Mount Rushmo...
Zounds, Susan ... you've met my mother-in-law! How she produced such a wonderful son is a question for the ages.
Love the wisdome in this post, and I'll give face/vase ye olde college try.
Saturday Morning Skraw - Drawing Lesson 4 - Two-Faced
Two-Faced. If you get red flags about a so-called "friend" or someone else - run like hell. Believe me, if they talk about others negatively behind their back - be sure that they are doing the same to you. That's what you call "two-faced" or "back-stabber." They'll act like a friend and...
Gimme a sec while I pick my jaw up off the ground. I went to that site, Sara. On the 1-10 scale of toxicity, my Loreal med. blonde hair coloring is an 8. An *8*. Thanks for blogging on this topic, Susan. You may very well have saved a life. That was very good research and eye-opening discussion.
You see this pic of me here? It isn't recent -- I run from the camera these days -- but at the time, I was having it frosted (woven).
Now I color my own hair, have since high school. I tire of the hassle. The only way to let it go naturally gray is to let it grow out, cut it, let it grow, etc. What the heck. Put on that list of beautiful women one Ms. Jamie Lee Curtis with her short, glorious gray. Hmmm, been looking for a reason(s) to cut my hair really short in this South Louisiana heat. This is the kicker.
"If you think organic food is expensive, have you priced cancer lately?" Cindy Lou, that is so true.
The Color of Cancer
As most of you may know, I stopped coloring my hair years ago. As difficult as it was for me to accept the gray and whiteness of my natural hair, something innately told me that this was the right thing to do. I do not regret my decision one bit and I am going to tell you why. I am certain ...
I bet ya can do this, Beth, and do it well. You're a creative person, an awesome cook and published author, after all! You had to walk before you crawled, learn the cooking basics at someone's knee or from a book. And I'm betting Susie Q will say the same is true for 999 out of 1,000 artists.
You've said before that you want to be la artiste. Whatever your other reasons are, desire to accomplish is up there, desire to please as well. So, I say you will succeed!
It's also important that as we get older we continue to exercise those brain muscles by learning new things. As I turn 58 in a few weeks, I'll take my own advice and learn to draw with Madam Vaughn (don't you love the way that sounds ... really ... so elegant!), exercise those crystalizing brain cells by something other than crossword puzzles and the Daily Cipher.
Thank you for sharing your awesome talents with us, Susan! Can't tell you how much I've enjoyed Raisin Toast.
Saturday Morning Skraw - Drawing Lesson 1
I've had so many readers ask me if I could give them lessons in drawing that I decided to start something here just for you. I'm going to call it the "Saturday Morning Skraw" (Sketching and Drawing) and today will be the first lesson. I'm going to start with the very basics and work up to mo...
Yeah, she does seem level-headed, and even driving a tractor is practice in judging speed, distance, caution. She'll be a great help ferrying herself & sib around, too.
A Daughter and a Driver's License
This was the summer that my baby girl took driver's education. Every day for several weeks we drove her back and forth from her school to classes. My fears have started to set in. Fears that she won't always use good judgment and will be in an accident. Fears that she will ride with...
How touching! Thanks for sharing. Kids love nothing more than being taught at a loved one's side. Big Daddy's generous love and attention shapes your son into a man who knows how to give.
You are so right about his future wife being lucky to have a hubby who loves to cook. My Doug not only hunts it down and drags it home to the cave; he also cooks it! And yeah, sometimes it is wild game.
An Angel Making Deviled Eggs
Yes, he is an Angel. Yes, he is my son. No, he is not a "Mama's boy." Yes, I dote over him like crazy. No, he doesn't say "aw, Mom" when I hug him and kiss him and pinch his cheeks and rub his ear lobes. Yes, he is definitely a cutie pie. No, he doesn't like math. Yes, he does like help...
Yeah, it only takes once. Who says the body doesn't remember pain?
Your knowing spanish is like my knowing Cajun French. (I live in the heart of Cajun country.) We either have the opportunity or need, or we don't. And here my mother was Cajun French; traced her roots to France. I can only say a few words and phrases, like "lache pas la patat" which means "don't drop the potato." Pretty useful, huh!
Jalapeno and Sundried Tomato Twice Baked Potatoes
For a nice, not so heavy, vegetarian, summer dinner, Beth whipped up a delicious jalapeno and sundried tomato twice baked potatoes, and now you can too! Start with the humble out of focus baking potato. Beth's buying a tripod tomorrow. Veg-ing out tonight. Here are the simple ingredi...
Beth, that looks good, something hub Doug would love, anything that hints of Mexican food, and stuffed baked potatoes are a **fave**.
I like pickled jalapeno and fresh jalapeno for their own character, two different tastes, both good. We usually grow our own jalapeno, and Doug makes pico de gallo with it or he just plain old cooks with it.
If I may offer, after seeding those suckers, ya gotta be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Anything you touch will burn like the hinges of Hades. One time I forgot and rubbed my eye. Ayeeee, caliente!
Many thanks, Susan and Beth. Y'all are so talented!
Jalapeno and Sundried Tomato Twice Baked Potatoes
For a nice, not so heavy, vegetarian, summer dinner, Beth whipped up a delicious jalapeno and sundried tomato twice baked potatoes, and now you can too! Start with the humble out of focus baking potato. Beth's buying a tripod tomorrow. Veg-ing out tonight. Here are the simple ingredi...
I just got your e-mail that I won. So sorry, I guess that was a senior moment, forgetting to check who won.
Thanks again. My grandkids will love these books as much as I will -- also my husband who loves to cook!
:-D
Summertime Craft & Cooking Fun with Kids!
WE HAVE A WINNER! I know, I fell off the wagon and ran late on this contest. Sorry 'bout that. Guess I've had a lot on my mind lately. But, we have a winner and I am proud to say that Alice is the lucky recipient of Rae Grant's books Cooking Fun and Crafting Fun. Oh boy, is she ever going...
Hey Sweets,
Thanks, and glad you liked it! I love
those nifty littlehints that save money while making life
easier.
How to Make Your Own Shower Curtains
See this bolt of fabric? I bought it 3 years ago to make a shower curtain for the children's bathroom. I'm the Queen of Procrastination. It's one of my personality defects. But today, I got off my tuff and decided to do something about it. So, I set up my sewing table and pulled out my s...
Very nice touch, the pleats. Anyone who sews can appreciate the effort you put into this, but then, it seems you do nothing half-way.
Really nice, store-bought shower curtains are so expensive! In the past, I've made a curtain out of a twin bed flat sheet. It's the perfect width of a standard bath stall.
How to Make Your Own Shower Curtains
See this bolt of fabric? I bought it 3 years ago to make a shower curtain for the children's bathroom. I'm the Queen of Procrastination. It's one of my personality defects. But today, I got off my tuff and decided to do something about it. So, I set up my sewing table and pulled out my s...
We were three girls so Mom divided the chores, and mine was ironing ... such that I didn't get to learn to cook as sis Jeannie did, to my chagrin: Mom could make shoe leather taste good. I loved homemade crafts, though.
Christmas ornaments:
Flour, salt and water and a cookie cutter or your imagination. The recipe is probably Googleable (boy, what a word). Make a hole for string or ornament hanger. Then let dry; paint, use glitter, whatever's available. We also decorated styrofoam balls using straight pins and sequins.
Christmas candy wreath:
Open up a hanger into a round shape. Use yarn or ribbon to twist around the hanger, starting at the top, catching the tail of hard candy's wrapping in it. Do this for the whole wreath, wrapping tightly. Finish by attaching a length of ribbon/yarn to the wreath's neck, and a small safety scissor at the other end for cutting the candy off, then hang the wreath on your door for guests to cut a piece off.
I guess you could do this for any holiday, keeping with the colors like pastels for Easter.
Thanks for the memories!
Summertime Craft & Cooking Fun with Kids!
WE HAVE A WINNER! I know, I fell off the wagon and ran late on this contest. Sorry 'bout that. Guess I've had a lot on my mind lately. But, we have a winner and I am proud to say that Alice is the lucky recipient of Rae Grant's books Cooking Fun and Crafting Fun. Oh boy, is she ever going...
Thank you, Michele. That's what I get for being married to a plant. :-D Actually, I worked while Doug got his degree in horticulture so I learned a lot thru default, helping him study. Afterwards, we had a landscape company & I was the grower of annuals and shopped the local nurseries for plant material. You learn a lot real fast!
A Quiet Morning Walk
I don't know what got into me this morning. I actually got up at 6:15 and decided to take a walk with Adolf. I rarely ever go for a walk, and I realize that I desperately need to change my ways. I am not getting enough exercise. It wasn't exactly sunny out this morning, but it was clear...
Starting after paddleboat:
red daylily, white amaryllis, shasta daisy, blue hydrangea, pink buddleia (a/k/a butterfly bush 'cause it attracts them), purple salvia, red/yellow gazania or dianthus?, then pink dianthus, orange pansy, blue pansy, yellow daylily.
This is a very lovely yard and such nice photos. Sure wish I could walk around with you ... I need the exercise, too!
Kathleen, you're so right. My Doug had a hard time finding work after we moved back here from Memphis. Potential employers lacked the manners God gave a gnat. Eventually, he started his own business & couldn't be happier.
A Quiet Morning Walk
I don't know what got into me this morning. I actually got up at 6:15 and decided to take a walk with Adolf. I rarely ever go for a walk, and I realize that I desperately need to change my ways. I am not getting enough exercise. It wasn't exactly sunny out this morning, but it was clear...
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