Catching My Breath

Hi all! I really thought I would become more faithful in posting after the homecoming surprise my sweet husband had waiting for me when I returned from my recent vacation. But alas (hand to forehead and swoon), I'm as negligent of this poor, old blog as ever I was. I have been extremely busy sewing gifts for the multitude of babies that have been or will be arriving

But I have also been busy, busy, busy adding things to my Etsy Shoppe. Here's a teeny-weeny peek of the most recent additions.

Oh, you're wondering what my homecoming surprise was!

Drumroll please....

High Speed Internet Service

Yes, I know that's really old hat to most, but here at Brambleberry Cottage we have been struggling along with DIAL UP service until just a couple of weeks ago.

HOORAAAAAY! for no more dial-up.

It also gave us unlimited long-distance service.

HOORAAAAAY! for unlimited long-distance service.

This is such a blessing for me because nearly all of my phonecalls to family and friends are long-distance calls.

And thank you, thank you, thank you

to my dear, dear, dear beloved husband.

Quick Asian Chicken and Noodle Recipe

• 1 pkg. (3 oz.) chicken flavor instant ramen noodles (I use the "oriental flavor" variety
• 1-16 oz. bag Birds Eye Frozen farm fresh mixture\

or just use some broccoli, carrots, and water chestnuts

• 1 tbsp. Vegetable Oil
• 1 lb. boneless chicken
• 1/4 cup stirfry sauce

Reserve seasoning packet from noodles

Bring 2 cups of water to boil in a large saucepan. Add noodles and cooked vegetables. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large non stick skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, cook and stir until until browned, about 8 minutes

Stir in noodles, vegetables, stir fry sauce, and reserved seasoning packet. Heat through.

Make 4 servings

Prep Time - 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Progress Notes

Hope everyone will bear with me on this very NON-EXCITING post, but I wanted to have a little picture-record of my garden progress. Since I have a tendency to misplace things, it is rather senseless for me to keep a garden journal . This seems to be the best place for me to remember where I put it since I don't keep a garden journal.

After cutting back the lavender (to the ground) last fall, it has made a very nice and full return. Last fall I, also, took 2 cuttings from my one mum and placed them in the propagation pot. In the spring I transplanted them to the garden at the front of the house. Both plants are filling out nicely and are loaded with buds. Red flower (in the daisy family) is spreading like wild fire and needs to be divided and given away or planted elsewhere.

I'm really thrilled with my flower pots this year. I planted several varieties of petunias which thrived, but had to be watered morning and night.



Knowing that I wanted a Hydrangea to plant in the yard, my first born had given me one for Mother's Day. After a few months in the house, it came as close to death as possible without being declared DOA. In desperation, I finally took it outside and continued to water it. I figured it was a lost cause, but I was pleasantly surprised (read "shocked") when it's crumply brown foliage fell off and was replaced with some beautiful, fresh green leaves. Then it went the extra mile and re-bloomed this past week. Who would have thought?

I shot this photo of it for Foto Friday when the topic was "Blue". Now I guess the topic would have to be "Pink" since it has changed its color.

I need to get it in the ground and give it some time to settle in before winter.

Some of you may remember this picture of a Rose of Sharon shrub I had started from seed in the fall of 2008. This is what it looked like in May of 2009; by August of last summer it had
managed to produce 2 lonely blooms.

Here it is today. It has grown approximately a foot since I planted it and has several blooms and dozens of buds.

All of these plants would probably have died while I was away because of the hot dry weather. So I owe a real BIG THANK YOU to my male child (who can hardly be called a child anymore) because he had carefully tended and watered them for me each day while I was gone.

Pattern Sale at JoAnn Fabrics - First Half of aUGUST 2010

Arrrgh! August is almost upon us. Who can believe it?

Why do winters drag on and on and on

while

summers fly by us at supersonic speed?

Okay, that's out of my system now (well, sort of).

Since August is almost here, it high time I post the dates for the pattern sales at JoAnn Fabrics.

Friday through Sunday

August 6 - 8, 2010

McCall's Patterns - $1.99 each

MSRP $6.95 - $19.95 each

Limit 10 -- No Special Orders

Excludes Easy Stitch and Save

Vogue Patterns - $3.99 each

MSRP $8.95 - $30.00 each

Limit 10 -- No Special Orders

Remember to check the in-store flyers for coupons on other items.

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Anyone planning or making Christmas gifts yet?

Feel free to share your ideas in our Comments?

We'd all love to hear about them.

Like Rain that Refreshes

I hate being an observer, and I LOVE being a participant. So it seems that the more I am enjoying myself or the more comfortable I am in a given setting, the fewer photos I take. Such was the case of a wonderful refreshing week with a dear, dear friend of mine. I am shocked when I think that I've really only known her and her family for four years, and that she lived nearby for only two short (much too short) years.

Last week I did something I have not done in twenty-one years of marriage. I spent a week away from home by myself and visited a friend. I have missed her so badly. I have missed talking with her and making things together and enjoying her company. I am often amazed at our friendship; afterall, I am twice her age at this time. Yet, it is as true and cherished a friendship as I have ever had with anyone. And when we get together, it seems to me as if the years between us seem to slip away, and we are just two moms who love Christ Jesus, our husbands, our children, and our homes -- oh yes, and to make things ;-)

It was such an enjoyable week. . .

filled with such things as
having an indoor picnics, when rain interupted our plans to have one outside

Walking in dry creekbeds and finding fossils.

Reading stories

Listening to stories

Cuddling with little ones

Answering the familiar question, Mrs. *, will you tell me a story about when you were a little girl?"

Watching the little "man of the house" helping Mama with chores, as each morning he brought produce from the garden without being asked to do so and helping to feed and water the animals.

Working on projects

And asking Rebecca every question about raising chickens I could think of except, "Why did the Chicken cross the road?"

and snapping a few pictures the very day that I was to come home

of children that love working with their Papa


and working with their Mama

But I knew my visit with them was over when Andrew came in the house on Saturday afternoon and announced, " Mrs. *, I'm sorry to tell you, your family is here." They had come to pick me up. I was so glad to see my family, and so sorry to leave this wonderful friend and her family behind. But first we made plans to have them to come to our house for a week next summer.

Among God's great blessings on our lives are treasured and faithful friends.

Pattern Sale - July 2010 (Last Half of Month)

In a continuing effort to cut costs, I try to reuse patterns, and if I do have to buy a new one, I try to buy it when it's on sale. You know the old adage, "A Penny Saved IS a Penny Earned." Here are the sale dates for patterns at JoAnn Fabric Stores for the last half of July 2010. So if you have a sewing project you're thinking about, check out your local Jo Ann Fabric store for your pattern on the dates listed below.

THURSDAY - SATURDAY

JULY 29 - 31, 2010

Simplicity Patterns - $1.99 each

(MSRP $6.95 - $17.95 ea.) Limit of 10

No Special Orders - Excludes "It's So Easy", New Look,

Burda & Simplicity Books

* * * * * * * * *

SUNDAY - SATURDAY

JULY 18 - 24, 2010

Butterick Patterns - 99¢

(MSRP $7.95- $19.95 ea.) Limit of 10

No Special Orders - Excludes See & Sew

Y So, what are you going to sew?

Nanci

Ahoy! Matey

I'm behind in everything. . . sewing . . .posting. . .you name it. I finished this outfit last week. The little fella' for which I made it is already close to six months old. I took it to church to give it to him last week, and his family was away for the Fourth. So I'll try again tomorrow. He is such a little cutie and growing quickly.

It is a traditional "John John" romper and sun hat made in blue and white seersucker. I always find it difficult to come up with ideas for baby boys, but I DO really like this.

In keeping with the nautical theme, I wanted the buttons to have anchors on them. Easy to find. . .right? Well, I searched every store I could think of locally and NADA -- no such button was to be found anywhere. I finally found them here on Etsy. They were even a great price. Next time I have a specialty item in mind, I think I'll just head over to Etsy and save the running around town. A lot of the Etsy shops sell supplies, too.

I was pleased with the results of the applique. The cute thing is that the boat is actually a pocket that holds a little Teddy Bear Sailor made from fleece fabric. (I must say I'm not really anxious to make the teddy again real soon. It was a real "bear" to make him, if you'll pardon the pun)

The bear can be taken out of the pocket to play with. A ribbon anchors him to the boat so that he isn't lost if he falls overboard.

The back of his middy collar.

The finished product.

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

I've been trying to remember to carry my camera in the car lately. I was so glad I had it with me on Sunday because I was able to get this picture of this little sweetheart when she wore the dress I made her to church. Can you tell that her mama is smitten with her?

Her grandparents, who were here from Korea to see her, told me that she is the first girl in their family in 60 years. So you can be sure that she has stolen more than just her mama's heart.