More than Conquerors gifted me with these awards this evening

Sharing The Love Award

She wrote...
I would like to share this award with all of you, my dear blogging friends and visitors.

This lovely award is created by Crystal @ Memoirs of a Mommy in honor of Noah and the donor of his sweet little heart who ENCOURAGES us to SHARE THE LOVE ! Thanks Crystal! [Click on Memoirs of a Mommy to learn and read this special love story!] The rules for this award are to pass it along to some people whose blogs you love. They make you laugh, smile, leave encouraging comments on your blog. You would like to share some love with them because they have uplifted, inspired, encouraged or prayed for you. Please include this paragraph with the link to Memoirs of a Mommy so that everyone know where this award originated from.


Friendship Award

I would like to share this award with all of you, my dear blogging friends and visitors. Feel free to pass these on to your precious friends.

So these 2 special awards are for you my dear friends and visitors (I am still adding you....):


A Life Uncommon Donetta

You sweet to find this this evening
Thank you for you kindness.

Tackle It Tuesday

Good Day to you all!
It is 9:40 P.M. and I just finished my tackle of the day!
Wow am I fresh (showered) and tired (exhausted!).

After the morning chores of husbands lunch, kid lunches, breakfasts and children off to school.

Kitchen and laundry a quick trip to the nursery for garden information on red wiggler worms.
I had received an hour and a half lesson on gardening. I met a wonderful fellow who shared his knowledge. I researched trees and soil preparation for the garden and compost information for soil building through composting. I had a really nice time , However hot it was (100*) it still did not dampen my inspiration, although I was soaked with perspiration:)
I was greated by this fellow who followed me happily declaring the Joy of life every 2 minutes. He was a crowing dude!
This beauty was a bite of candy for the lens as well as my eye.

I played in the "candy store" a gardeners paradice for a while.

I like this vine a lot.

This vine also pleased me much.

OH Joy JOY!

This cobault thrilled my soul right to the marrow!
So fat and sassy with the candy shop I got right down to some nutricious living!
I shoped for all the food bearing trees that will thrive for me here in this desert paradise.

Any one who has ever tasted my pomagranate jelly has begged another jar, Or three.
So this will fit a good corner.

Researching... This apple does well as log as you pick it fat when the suger rises. It has to be canned soon after. Will last indoors for a week but lots of apple butter and apple sauce. IT is a self polinater.

Now I have a good friend who will love to can up some plum jam with me. What you think Julie>? YUM YUM!

Next season...
I walked out with this

thoughtfully loaded into my truck by some real nice fellow.
Thanked my howt and gave him an offering of gratitude for sharing his knowledge with me.

I left and unloaded and took a trip up to the home improvement store to so some more research.
I need this for my clothes line (I got a 4 line 25 ft. line on clearence last year for $20.) , and I really am looking forward to reducing the electric dependence even more.

I found 6 of these to add some ventalation to the chicken trackor.

Speaking of the chicken tractor, I need to paint it this week. I have a couple of gallon left from the panters did this house in the spring. So it will even match the house.

I love my chickens!
Maud is a rooster and I will dearly miss him. :)
he is the long legged "duck wing".

So this week I have spread the straw.
I began a compost over in the corner.

To hold in moisture.
I had time with the kids and then did the kitchen.
After I made a big batch of eggs and bacon I feed the family and had time with Dove.
I then went out to work around 7 p.m.

Tonight I was out spreading this...

and this...I raked over the straw to one side and then added all three things and then took a shovel and turned the one side then watered...raked the straw to that side and repeated it.
I covered it all over with the straw and watered it all in.
I amended the compost with the worm castings, organic fertalizer and kitchen scraps and turned it all in with the manure. covered the compost heap with the staw and there is no foul smell.
I came in and showered aroun 9:15!
So I sid now it is 10:15
Tackle done!

The chickens are growing and thriving . I think I am a month out from eggs.
I am a few moments out from falling asleep!

Retard? "Tropic Thunder"...How dare they!

Once Upon A Time There Was A Retard….

Written by Tammy

Such is the tag line to a new, big budget, R-rated summer movie opening this week. “Tropic Thunder” is a comedy produced by DreamWorks/Paramount, and directed and written by Ben Stiller, who also stars in the movie.

The plot includes a group of pampered actors, lost in the jungle while making a war movie. Tugg Speedman, Ben Stiller’s character, is a fading action hero who missed his Oscar opportunity with his portrayal of Simple, a character with an intellectual disability. Speedman’s portrayal of Simple is a movie within the movie, “Simple Jack.”

Already “Tropic Thunder” has presented audiences with a new go to phrase, “Never Go Full Retard.”

For the full post go over to 5 minutes for mom. Join in the protest!

A comment of interest..."A" has a point, I am just posting in support. I am not raging or in raged over it. Just upset by the term.

" A" Wrote...

"You might want to get your facts straight. The tag line "Once Upon A Time, There Was A Retard," is not the tag line for Tropic Thunder. The tagline is for a FAKE movie called "Simple Jack," which is part of a small backstory in the movie Tropic Thunder."

Go watch a preview or read some of the news you're so angry about before you blow your load."

Dear "A"....Thank you for sharing your view, point well taken." I will need to take more time out to do that.A question for you Dear "A",..."Do YOU have any special needs children?"Have you ever encountered the hurt in the eyes of a "special needs kid or adult when they were minimized and ridiculed? If so I wonder what you would say to them to help them overcome the ignorance? Would you then desire to educate the ignorant who hurt them (whether intentionally or not)? As a parent of one who is "different", I have wept with her. As a teacher of those who were "different" I have watched their crest fallen spirits when they do a simple task( that we take for granted), when they are then minimized in the midst of the struggle.

So I suppose a have a box to stand on. More fortunate then some who are "different", in that I can stand, speak and articulate the pain I have not only witnessed but have spent many an hour consoling.

I am not blowing my load,

I am carrying theirs.

Forgive the strife folks I have to speak on this one.

"A" My feeling are strong but I do appriciate your point.

Dogs, first day of school and deals.

Good Evening!
Wow! What a full day!
Last night while I was listening to the story time in the other room and resting myself at the computer I had company.
This was so sweet and so normal a beauty that I thought I might pause a moment and share it with you.
Recently a lovely woman lost her sweet companion dog (Rosie) of many many years. It gave me pause of gratitude for those dear friends I often take for granted.

With my Choc Lab at foot and my Golden at my right hand I stopped the world and remembered the joy they give me.
YOu see it has been hard won. If any of you have ever raised a lab you understand.
My sweet golden is getting up in years. I thought to withhold their names because of security for the family. Though most of you know them.
As the images were down loading I pet My dear Golden with my right hand and rubbed my labs with my foot.

He is so soft. I just find it so relaxing to rub him at my foot.
He will groan with pleasure, it is difficult to get up however from my rocker.
He blocks the way, all 80 pounds of him.

My sweet little girl sits at my side. She speaks when they need a drink. She speaks for them when they need out. She is an old girl now 12 yrs I think. I have neglects about her life with me sometimes. She was adopted from a hard situation and she is a necrotic pup. It is hard sometimes when a dog is a nut case to be as patient as you wish to be.

My beloved replaced the big board yesterday.
I am sure you can just imagine how I feel. I missed this invaluable tool so much.
Sometimes a home is just needing to be a little imperfect and look a tad bit cluttered to run smoothly and efficiently.
It is not a show house this is a working home.

I called the produce fellow and got a half box of scrap for the chickens. Went back in with the lead in adds and then scoured the clearance. I found several packages of T bone steaks, family packages. Now t bones can be best when to their date. You see that type of beef is good these however were well dated and so I just froze them in the deep freezer. Look at that savings. I left that store with just short of $300. in groceries and had spent only $131.! Boy howdy! With the free chicken food to boot!

The children were met out on the front porch , where I was watering the flowers as discussed. This was a ploy to use the watering /parental supervision to save face with all those kids who make fun of children who are loved and parents who are able to take good care of. Kids who envey often tease. So I removed the apperence of waiting to watch them walk home.
They were met on the porch with a cup of ice water each.
The children returned happy.
The food I packed uneaten for the most part for Dove.
Dove was well humored. Tired and mature about her homework and such. she made a good choice about reading before the TV show. I told her her options and she chose work before pleasure. I was really happy to see her doing what was harder at first and delaying the gratification. It was so neet!
She melted down a little at supper. She got a bit testy with me while we were doing the meal and table preperations for supper. Later she curled up to me and told me of her love for me. she said that several people were saying "you got new braces and you cut your hair". She told of one girl who was a bit unkind and made a face at her and it hurt her feelings. she really opened up and felt better for it. She has been pretty happy the rest of the evening.

Dash ate nothing! All day nor did he drink!
Needless to say when a choclate his teacher gave him had melted and gotten on his new pack he too melted down!
I was savy to the fitigue and possible stress of the day and was able to be patient.
However when it got worse and worse I set my boundries as I unpacked his untouched lunch and drink. I told him no wonder your blood sugar must be totally crashed!
He ate all of his lunch and fruit and snacks too.
Drank his cherry juice and changed into a very repentant prince charming.

This is 15 minutes into food! My Silly boy regrouping and returning to his good humor. I was able to easily clean off the chocolate kiss his teacher gave him. I also was able to wash off the nice note it was taped too. He is so dear, he then told me all ablut his day. He did real well with his hearing aids today. He said that the amplifyers were there and that the teacher had him remove them right before the bell. She acted discreatly thank goodness. He had a good experence with it.

I learned a bit more about the composting worms they are a bit harder to come by here due to our heat and few gardeners. I will try to locate a good nursery tomorrow to order some. I may be able to sell them back to the garden center as I get a good amount of them.

After a wonderful t bone supper we went out to do the yard chores. We moved the coop after the mow , and then I scooped poop , beloved mowed and I spread the straw at the side. We used the clean grass clippings to begin the compost pile. He dumped the grass and I then loaded a pile of straw onto it. I watered it a bit.
We went in to play with the chickens ( Dove and I) and then off to join Daddy Man at getting showers. .
Well I am up for mine now so I am off.
I smell of sweet straw.
It itches though!

Now this is just funny!

I am a Sunflower What Flower Are You? You Are a Sunflower "When your friends think smile, they think of you. There is not a day that goes by that you can't find something good about the world and your fellow human."

Sunday Smiles

bloopers from hide and seek

Sewing a shower drapery and valence

Before Color!

After!

Close up of valence fabric.

This is the Drapery fabric close up.

Sewing a shower drapery and valence can be done simply at home for a fraction of the costs and a high quality washable long lasting product.

The Drapery
You too, can do it!
Measure your length (height)
To a sure up have the nap (direction) of the fabric going the same way...

lay them out after you hem the edges Hem the sides by folding over 5/8th inch and then again and hem using a long stitch or basting stitch this does not need the strength.

Look for the color code and the print on the salvage edges.
These are good codes to keep for decor later when you might purchase accent items.

Just make sure they are in the same direction.

Measure your height. Measure your width (side to side) Twice the width makes for a rich fullness. Hem the sides by folding over 5/8th inch and then again and hem using a long stitch or basting stitch this does not need the strength.
However when you stitch the casing for the rod reduce the stitch width and always remember to back tack. This will be out of eye view so no need to knot by hand.

They will hang nicely open or easily pull closed.

I did not hem mine yet for I am still considering the length.

The valence.
This takes consideration.
Again double the width makes a much fuller richer look(at the very least 1 and a half the width).

I designed a three part valence.
Get your ideas off line or out of magazines or decor books.

Starting with the center panel hem all salvage (edges that are a finished) edges, and raw(cut edges). Same way turn under 5/8ths twice.By doing this you make a very stable strong drapery.
Note: on garments all selvage edges should be trimmed.

The center or right panel has been hemmed the side panels (the left one)have not.

Pressing the edge that is cut on the angle is a must . This is called the bias. The bias is very unstable. If you want go ahead and press all edges before sewing. I have just been at this so many years I know what steps I can skip. This is different than garment sewing less precision.

Trim off the extra

I hope this shows I trimmed it in such a way as to lesson the bulk.

zoom, zoom, zoom.
I love fast cars and fast sewing machines.
Once you gain your confidence so will you.
It is about sewing with your whole body. It may sound strange.
See how I make use of the open drawer and the ironing board. The more stress removed from the needle the better to ZOOM ZOOM.

Once at the end I then stop needle in down position, turn and ...

Finish it off. Back tack. This is all basting for it does not need to be a strong stitch.

Working ergonomically , when you sew with your whole self conserves your energy.
Saves your back as well. When you have less need to stand or get up to move around you can use your time more efficently.

My foot is out a ways because of the knee issues I have I have learned that sewing with a straighter leg is much better on my joint.

Behind me is the cutting table and the supplies. The rotatory cutters are in the drawer there as are the measuring tools and the tapes.

To my Right the serger and the old Phaff if I need to use it.
That drawer holds the serger threds and supplies.
There also as you see is my computer and rocker.
Looking out the window are the feeders. For wild birds bring me great joy!
I do need to fill the feeders.

If you click on the image you may be able to see the chicken tracter (coop).

Back to the Valence.
Here is the center panel. I had to piece this of two sections. I used a seam called a french fell or flat fell. Look at a pair of jeans it is the seam on the outside of the leg. All raw edges muct be secured to make this a high quality item. It will be able to be washed time after time and still hold it's integrety . No fraying or shedding as in store bought items. This just takes a little time and know how.

It is hard to see. But the raw edge is encased in a secondary seam.

Now notice my seam is not JUST Perfect...Get the point ? It does not need to be perfect . Just do your best. If this were a garmet I might unpick it and fix it. This is going to be 6 foot up in the air where nobody will be looking to see if it is just perfect. My time is valuable to I accept flaws and imperfections as part of a balenced life. :)

What matters is that all lower edges match.

Flip it all over. See the center panel, I am adjusting the turned over upper edge. I want it all to be uniform.

I used the old store bought valence for my example. I purchaced it 9 years ago and will soon pass it on or recyle the fabric. It has a nice batenburg effect I might incorperate into a garmet.

My upper casing is three inches. With all three sections being uniform at this point all you have to do is be consistent. That tool is a seam gauge. Dash thought it a cool thing to mess with. Note it is now a bit bent. I have three of thes floating aroung because they are a great sewing tool.

Sew all the casings.

Note the matching edges.

Sew it at the edge. NOW is the time for a finer stitch count. This is now important because this is where the waer will occure on your drap and valence. Here back tacking is important as well.

Using your foot plate as a guied sew your secont seam. You see the tight seam at edge (at the left) then your basting center (this is from when you hemmed it earlier. Now do your secont tight seam...back tack and sew use your plate guied.

This trimming I have has so many years.
I remember 18 years ago in our basement we had no furniture and I made pillows with this trim and we all sat arround when we had Bible study group at our house. I had this trim many a year.
Time to use it.

Now note that I am only dangling the tassels and the trim is sewn up onto the fabric.
This is an unfinished undersided trim.
I clip the tassels just by the secureing thred so it does not unravel.

When I turn this the underside is secured but the tassels are not doubbled.

Finished edges give a look of qualith. This trim sewn on with a wide basting stitch.

Keeping the needle down turn. Lower the presser foot and
Travel all the way down ..back tack, clip all threads.

On the back side it will have the finished fabric behind the trim to hide it.

Now run another seam (wide stitch) and you will have a strong trim that will last washing after washing.

The hemmed edge will be what you see if you look up at it when it is hanging.

On the back side there will be two stitch lines for the trim(the white tread) and one for the fabric hem (the blue). Secure, stable and strong. Made with quality.

After all those years of holding onto this trim this is what I had left over. Just enough to trim a hand towel. Provision.

I used two simple spring tension rods. One for the drapery and one for the valence. The shower curtin that hold the water back is on a very strong shower rod. Unscrew the screw and the rod is easily sized.

Remove the rubber stopper thred the sections through.

Replace the rubber stopper and hang up your work.

Walla!
See the cute wall paper boarder I found for $1.60 a 5 yard roll. Provision.
The fabric was purchased last year for 90% off and the whole thing was around $15. or so.
Now you too can do this to your liking .
Or like me use what is provided and rejoice in the provision. I loved this fabric when I saw it.
Now to see what I found to use it for...well I really like the flowers, colors and the sweet little insects that are pollenating all those flowers.
Life. The fabric represents life.

I will also hang this sign.
I still need to make the window treatment,and
hang the wallpaper boarder.