Happiness = A Finish

Life is simple, it's just not easy.

~Author Unknown

Wednesday  proved to be weird and wacky.  In fact, almost everything I attempted in the morning seemed to be whacked.  My blog was still displaying the nasty little photoblog signs that are continually in the way.  I tried to reset things myself in the design area and that made everything weird.  Luckily my blog designer, Kassie, came to the rescue and restored my header.  Hopefully most of you didn't see the debacle I made of it.  Then I was sewing sashing and my sewing machine kept stopping.  Weird!  After some detective work I discovered that the poor thing's bobbin case needed a good cleaning.  Did that and then it ran like a dream.  The weather changed cool again - wacky!  We didn't get above 53 degrees until well after noon.  I can do with a little less weird and wacky.  Let's hope that Thursday will be tranquil and mundane - lol!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Pecans

Today is National Pecan Day.  The history of pecans can be traced back to the 16th century. The only major tree nut that grows naturally in North America, the pecan is considered one of the most valuable North American nut species. The name "pecan" is a Native American word of Algonquin origin that was used to describe "all nuts requiring a stone to crack.”  Because wild pecans were readily available, many Native American tribes in the U.S. and Mexico used the wild pecan as a major food source during autumn. It is speculated that pecans were used to produce a fermented intoxicating drink called "Powcohicora" (where the word "hickory" comes from). It also is said that Native Americans first cultivated the pecan tree.

During the 1700’s and the early 1800’s, the pecan became an item of commerce for the American colonists and the pecan industry was born. (In San Antonio, the wild pecan harvest was more valuable than popular row crops like cotton!)

So go enjoy you pecans and be a little bit nutty!

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HAPPY SQUISHY

Yesterday I received a wonderful, squishy envelope in the mail.

I opened it to find this package just for me.  Couldn't wait to open it......

And look what was inside!  Isn't this just the cutest hot pad you have ever seen?  Sandy Hobbs was my secret swap partner in the Hot Pad Swap hosted by Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin'.  Sandy included a little note that said she "really don't know how to do hand quilting" but it certainly looks good to me.  She also included a postcard showing where she lives in Australia.  This little creation is much to adorable to have some old hot pot sitting on it.  I now have it decorating a small table in my living room.  I absolutely love it!  Thank you so much, Sandy!  This made me feel happy after a rather disastrous morning.

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TOP FINISHED

Yesterday I didn't do any quilting on the blue and brown quilt. I just couldn't take the struggle and my neck muscles were already in major cramp mode.  So, instead, I worked on my Layer Cake quilt top and even managed to complete it!

Here it is!  This is a picture of it hanging up in my entry way.  At the time I wasn't sure if the sun would come out for me to take a picture in natural light.  This picture is a little dark but you can get the general idea of what it looks like.  Then the sun came out and I rushed outside......

well, it wasn't full sun but at least you can see the colors a little bit better.  Do you see the little rock at the very top?  It was breezy and every time I would get it all nice and flat, turn around to get up on the step stool with the camera in hand, I'd turn around and the top would be flipped over.......grrrr......  Situation remedied with a little rock.  After I get the backing pieced together, this will be on its way to the long arm quilter.  Hooray!!!

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A LITTLE HUMOR

I just had to share this little bit of humor I read in the April edition of the Reader's Digest.

Taxing Taxes

To publicize colon cancer screenings, an Idaho doctor suggested that a reminder be included in every tax notice. The idea was nixed. "Recommending a colonoscopy in the same envelope as the tax notice may be considered ironic," said the county treasure.  Source: AP

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan to make two blocks for the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia. 

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GIVEAWAYS

Sunshower Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win 10 die-cut Butterflies and Dragonflies.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 17.

Cross Stitch and Cupcakes is having a blogoversary giveaway.  To celebrate her first anniversary in blogland she is giving away all sorts of fantastic goodies for those of us interested in cross stitch and stitchery.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, April 19.

U Create is having a Fashionable Fabrics giveaway.  You could win a $50 gift certificate.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, April 19.

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FINAL THOUGHT

As you can tell, it doesn't take much to make me happy.  A smiling face, a cute little stitchery, or a well working blog.  Yesterday when my blog was plagued by those little floating boxes, I sort of felt violated.  Someone had messed with something that was mine.  Something that I put my feelings in and where I express my thoughts.  My blog is part of me.  That sounds strange doesn't it.  But then I guess it's no different than an artist putting life to a painting or an author giving life to the subjects in a book.  This is part of my life.  A part I enjoy.  Now that it is back to normal and looking like me again, I am happy. 

Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open.
~John Barrymore


Thank goodness it's Thursday, a brand new day to create!