Bloglovin vs Google Reader

Thanks to a tip from one of my readers I checked out Bloglovin.com to replace Google Reader ... which is going away. I was able to switch over without too much trouble. So it looks like this is what I will be using unless I find something else better. My main issue is that I was following well over 200 blogs but only 17 showed up when I changed over.

LOL ... maybe that is a good thing because I spent a lot of time blog hopping and now maybe I can save a little time by letting some go. Of course there are some that I don't want to miss so I'm manually adding them to the list. Change is good ... or so they say!

Derby is in the air!

It's been a busy week around here as I continue to get back into the swing of things. I have a package of goodies ready to go out to Jamie - please send me your contact information so I can get it in the mail to you!

I worked in the garden a lot the past week and now I'm resting up for the next round this weekend. I can't do as much at one time as I would like but I'm adjusting to my medical restrictions and learning to live life one day at a time and do what I can when I can!

It's Derby time around here once again and I'm looking forward to all the excitement around the city. I was in the airport today and they are getting ready for the 1,000's of visitors coming in for the races. I will be escorting several of the bands that will be playing in the terminal this week. Maybe I will see some celebrities and I'm sure I'll see lots of hats. What fun! The stage is almost ready.

I came home today to more work being done to prepare my sister's room. I use to have a 'pass through' between the kitchen and her room but today it was closed in. The plan is to put shelves in the space on the kitchen side and eventually glass doors will be added. It's all coming together!

I've been reading a book on digital photography and hopefully I will pick up some tips to take better pictures. It feels good to be getting back into the swing of things around here. One thing I've learned this past year it's that life is short and I still have a lot I want to accomplish!

Spring is finally here!

I hope to get out in the garden today and get some work done.

My Dogwood is starting to bloom. It's been a cold spring!

Now for the big job! My sister is moving in with me and my sewing room has to be converted into a bedroom. I started about two weeks ago and I'm getting a lot done. Still need to paint, do a little drywall work, new carpet ... the list is long but the room should be nice when finished.

This is what I started with - lots of fabric and other goodies. My oh My .... where did it all come from?

Thanks everyone for stopping by and leaving your comments. I'm going to figure out how to put a button on my page so people can follow me easier, thanks to a suggestion from one of my visitors.

Which reminds me I need to find a new way to track the blogs I read since google reader is closing down. I've  checked out a few but I haven't found one that I can figure out. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I also got my camera out today and charged the batteries so I will be posting pics soon. I need to show you how much organization I have accomplished in my sewing room ... soon to be my sister's room.

Just getting back in the swing of things here. I can still post pictures ... it's coming back to me now!

I'm back and I missed everyone

I'm back! Did you miss me while I was gone? Life is finally settling down and I'm back to blogging again. I will be posting a lot more in the days to come and I plan on getting back into my stitching as things settle down around my house.

I've been organizing my Crazy Quilt supplies and boy is that an overwhelming job. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. If anyone is still following my blog and you leave a comment and say hi I will put you in a drawing for a package of a bunch of CQ supplies. It will include fabric, lace, buttons and beads ... a little of this and that!

So leave your comments and be sure to check back as I reenter the blogging world!

I worked on a few of my other blocks while in St. Louis. I really miss stitching when I don't do it for a while.

I think I may finish these if I keep with it!

The last four blocks ... I really like the look and feel of these blocks. I had to shop for more threads while in St Louis because the reds I had were not the right shade. The red in the blocks have more 'blue' in them. Always looking for an excuse to shop.

Lots to do on my blocks so I better get to work. My goal is to complete by Christmas 2010. Six blocks have a Santa center and six blocks don't have a Santa in the center.

Christmas Quilt Blocks

I started piecing 12 blocks for my Christmas project a few months ago. I finished piecing them and now I'm ready to embellish the blocks. I got started working the pile - the process of doing a little work on each block - at the St. Louis retreat. It doesn't look like I got very far with my embellishing but I did get a lot of seams started.

St. Louis 2010

Kate checking out one of the wedding dresses Mary Anne brought to share.

Mary Anne and Martha - all packed up on the last day getting in one more conversation.

Lisa shows Yvonne a tatting tip.

Mona took a look at the wedding dresses. She had a bride in mind who might just wear it in her wedding. Others of us had the vision of cutting them up and using them in a project.

St. Louis 2010

I thought I'd post a few pics from our St. Louis retreat. I find it hard to believe it has only been 5 days since I returned. I really, really, really am ready for work to lighten up and some sort of normal to return to my life.



These pictures show a relaxed group of stitchers enjoying sharing tips and having a good time. Monica is new to crazy quilting and is getting a lesson from Martha Green.

Mary Anne, Freda and Sherrill enjoy looking at Freda's latest project

Yvonne, Kate and Martha enjoying a story. Retreats go a long way to keeping me sane in this crazy world.

My Garden this week ...

The garden is full of beautiful blooms this week. Coming home from work in the evening is always a treat. I come around the corner of my street and the first thing I see is my front yard ablaze with blooms!

Free Book by Robin Atkins

Robin Atkins is offering a free download of her first beading book. I bought it years ago and refer to it often. Be sure to stop by her blog and receive your free copy.

Spring is here ....

Spring is in the air ... the garden is starting to bloom.

New Gardeing Book

I've been thinking a lot about spring this past month with our record breaking snow days and cold temps. I found this book on perennials and have been looking at the pictures all week long just dreaming of spring and hoping it will come sooner than later! I can't wait for sunshine and warm days!