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January....

The year has gotten off to a rather crazy start. But crazy makes the time go by faster right?

My husband and I are putting the finishing touches on our little upstairs "apartment". We donated quite a few items, sold some of the larger things and threw out a lot of useless junk! Now we are debating whether to keep our ugly old TV / entertainment center or just get one of the smaller flatscreen ones that we could even hang on the wall for space purposes.

I LIKE this!


Looks clean and clutter free! It doesn't even NEED the candle holders or pictures on the wall. Looks like I'll need to downsize even MORE stuff!

Our area of California has been unseasonably warm.... in the 70's! We took our scooters out to Lopez Lake and made some reservations to camp this upcoming weekend. Here is a map of the "Blue Jay" section.... we will be in Space 31. We are VERY excited to go on our first campout of the year and are already planning something in April as well.




I've been spending quite a bit of time sewing in my new little area. Last week I found some really cute baby flannel and cut out a bunch of 8 in. squares to make a little "Rag Quilt". My husband helped me hang some flannel on one of my sewing walls and I've been working out the pattern. If you've never tried using a "design wall", I highly recommend it. You just take your piece and pat it onto the flannel and it stays in place like MAGIC!! This is probably going to be the front and I'm working on what to do for the back now. If you'd like to try one yourself, you can find some really good directions and a video HERE.


Lucky me, one of my Facebook friends gifted me with some GORGEOUS antique pillow slipcovers all done in linen. Here is a sampling of them....

These were hand embroidered!

Look at the cutwork!


And lead buttons! Thank you so much again Bette!! Your Shabby Chic items are finding a good home here!


And since January is typically a month to think about finances and taxes... Wes and I are have been spending time making plans for retirement. Yes, it is still a few years off, but good planning is one of the BEST ways to ensure we will be able to live comfortably as we age. By living more frugally and saving more of what we make each month, we should reach our goal when Wes is about 62. I'm actually very excited and motivated because I LOVE having my husband home every day. We are going to make our little "Nest Egg" a priority!
Yes, yes.... I have been having so much fun with all my little grandchildren. When they all come over, you can barely hear yourself think! But I wouldn't have it any other way! We hosted a little "potato bar" dinner here in early January.... good food, good family, lots of grandkids.... IT WAS THE BEST!! I'm trying to get them to each couple to set up a "date night" every other week or so and drop the kids here. They love to play together and the time flies by.

And last but not least.... my little backyard garden beds are growing so well! When the weather started warming up, I planted cauliflower, broccoli and snow peas in box 1 and English peas, onion, celery and asparagus in box 2. Wow, look at them them now!

Box 1
Box 2


"Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity."
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