Happy Friday One and All, I've had a post ready to go since early this morning, but for some reason my photos on my IPhone that I sent to my email haven't arrived-they must have gone on vacation. I've sent them three times; I decided just to do a quick catch-up here and post the photos Monday.  It's been a great week and sewing with the grands went so well. Today I had my monthly quilt group meeting, here at our nest; it is a small group-we had about 8 gals.  We only stay for about two hours and it is always so encouraging and filled with teaching.  Our leader showed us a new square called Tipsy Turby, I think.  Anyway, it is an easy square to do, plus the teacher is on youtube.  While I want to try it, I don't want to make a quilt top that I don't really have to have- so I am pondering it.  Hate to waste money on fabric I need for a quilt I'm not sure I like.  Another benefit of the group is we share tips and tools. Today I saw three tools that I must get for my sewing room; in fact, next Friday morning I'm going out with a friend who is a beginner quilter-guess what I'll be looking for.  This weekend is busy as well-tonight I'm going out for dinner with two girlfriends, tomorrow I'm watching 9 grands so the parents can go to the book fair(school materials) and tomorrow night we have the birthday party for our oldest grandson.  Such fun.
It's a gorgeous day here today and hubby is out back cleaning, so I best go help him.
Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Hugs,
Noreen

Orijen Free-Run Duck Dog Treats From Mr. Chewy

It's that time again when we review a product we received from Mr.Chewy. All opinions are our own and we have received these treats, free of charge, for our honest review.  Hunter always loves it when we get a delivery to the front door-he knows it's from Mr. Chewy. 

I'm never know for sure how Hunter will react and I love it when he dances for the treat.
Here is the description of these great treats:
"Product Description
Orijen Free Run Duck Singles Freeze-Dried Dog Treats provide a simple and pure way to reward and nourish your dog with natural tastes he will love. Made from cage-free duck raised on natural grains and well water in Ontario, Canada, these unique treats are loaded with goodness and natural flavor. They're gently freeze-dried to keep your cherished dog healthy, happy and strong, and are made without cooking or preservatives so you can feel good about treating him.
Key Benefits

• Single-source treats
• Made from 100% meat and nothing else!
• Freeze-dried to lock in flavor and nutrition
• Guaranteed analysis to mirror Mother Nature
• Low calorie and carbohydrate free
• Approximately 55 treats per 2-oz bag and 95 treats per 3.5-oz bag"

I love the size of the treats and the only negative thing is that they have a strong smell.
These are definitely a Win-Win in our opinion and Hunter rates them 4 Paws.
We want to thank Sydney and the entire staff at Chewy for their excellent customer service.  You can find these treats at  http://www.chewy.com/dog/orijen-free-run-duck-singles-freeze/dp/46205

Your #Chewy Influencer,
Noreen and Hunter 

Star Fruit

Happy Tuesday to you! Yesterday morning, after the rain moved in, I took my friend up to our local Sprouts. I was out of a wellness vitamin and I always love shopping there, even though my wallet protests a bit. I happened to see a Star Fruit, which I've seen in the Islands before and decided to splurge. I also got a Papaya, which was more than I usually pay~however, since our trip to the Islands was cancelled, I was in the mood for some tropical fruit. This morning I decided to cut into the Star Fruit-it is so beautiful and have it for breakfast.

In case you've never seen one or know about it, here is so info I retrieved. " The star fruit (Carambola) is actually a member of the Oxalidaceae (Wood Sorrel) family. It originated in Indochina and is considered a tropical fruit. "The fruits are star-shaped when cut across and are crisp, juicy, and aromatic, although usually acid in taste. One form is called the "sweet carambola" because it lacks the acid taste. The fruits have been reported to contain 50 percent of reducing sugars on a dry-weight basis and to be a good source of vitamins A and C. The ripe fruits are used for preserves, jams, and jellies. The star- shaped cross sections make an attractive addition to salads." I have to say the taste is unusual-almost like a cross between a pear and an apple but it reminds me of a quince fruit as well; the smell is definitely different. I know I'll enjoy this treat until my Papaya is ripe-I love Papaya's.
I had a fun day yesterday with my friend and look forward to spending more time with her.
Today I'm headed downstairs to sew.  I hope you get some time in today to do something you enjoy!
Hugs,
Noreen

Thoughts on Organizing

Happy Monday to you! With spring almost here(in my dreams)and my finishing piecing our queen Log Cabin, my sewing closet and fabric bins was a mess. I'd been wanting to organize it, but initially thought I'd wait until I took my machine in for servicing. This last week though,I decided it was a good time to start; let's just say the mess in my closet was driving me nuts. I am sharing this because some have asked for it. My sewing closet is not like some-you know the ones with with baskets that hold their stash and perfectly folded fabric. I will say that I'm getting better about cutting pieces before I'm done with them-meaning I take off the odd edges etc. so they fold in neat little squares.  So although for now I count this as being good, I still have one area to work on more. I choose to use plastic bins for my fabric because we always seem to have dust everywhere and being allergic to dust would cause me a problem. So I divided up my fabrics into colors-tan, white, green, blue, pink, purple, batik's, seasonal fabrics. I did iron and fold them all neatly; I also had two bins for larger pieces of fabric-from 1/2 yard to 2 yards. I also put all my fabric from the Log Cabin into one bin as I will need to make pillow shams;  my fabric and square for the Honor Flight went in a separate bin, which I need to use this week.

This is the area that I need to do more work on; what you don't see if the pieces of wool batting that will be used for the pillow shams. Yes, I do hope to quilt those too-but we'll see.

This is the other end of the closet-mainly I have hanging bags up there, some misc. quilted runners and my templates. You can see I always have a couple of stuffed treasures and pillows for the grands.

This week is already shaping up to be very busy.  I have a friend coming over today to spend the day with me~she broke her shoulder and can't drive, plus she and her hubby live with their daughter, sil, seven kids and two German Shepherds.  To say she needs time away from the noise and hectic life is an understatement.  We will walk this morning before the rain rolls in and then find something fun to do after lunch. Tomorrow will find me sewing~I've got to prep and cut fabric for the granddaughters sewing-which will be Honor Flight squares and then have commitments with friends on Wednesday and Thursday as well as sewing.  On Friday I have my quilt group here, so need to get goodies for the ladies.
We had a nice weekend and yesterday I spent 6 hours quilting; I've got 10 out of 36 squares done.  Don't know how much time, except in the evenings, I'll have this week. I think the most exciting thing happening this week is our oldest grandson is turning 15!  Wow, is all I can say.  Besides that Carrie's family gets the new puppy on Friday-I for one, can't wait to meet her. 
I hope you had a great weekend and that your week will start out well.
Joy to you!
Noreen

A Fun Kid's Craft

Happy Friday to you. Can you believe it is already March?! The week has been good but busy, I've been reorganizing my sewing room and it feels good. I am not done yet, but hope to get it finished by this morning. In order to do this, I needed more plastic bins for fabric and had to take all my fabric out, cut some pieces to square them up and iron them before placing them in the bins. Oh boy, what a job; I also weeded out fabric that I have no use for-I will give it to friends or donate it. Last night I was invited to a craft night, free of charge, for adults at our local library. Trust me when I say I don't need any more crafts-love to do them, but been there and don't need to go back. However, two neighbors were going so I went; it was a fun evening out and the crafts are cute. I am giving them to both families and granddaughters today-like I said I just don't need more things. Both of these crafts would be so fun to make with children or grandchildren. The first one was simply a large plastic egg-I think the supplies came from the dollar store. We added in spanish moss, rocks, plastic eggs and silk flowers. Close it up and tie a ribbon around it.

This is the craft I preferred, the supplies were a small wreath and you wrap burlap around it-bad idea for me, because I'm allergic to burlap. Then add some green yarn, silk flowers and a butterfly. Use a ribbon to hang it up.

This afternoon I have a tea with both daughters and their girls-should  be lots of fun.
I hope you have a great day and wonderful weekend!
Joy to you!
Noreen

Happy Wednesday to you! Today's weather is looking pretty stormy, so don't think I'll be spending time outdoors. Here is the latest block I made for the Splendid Sampler; it was easy and I love the look. It is very similar to the disappearing nine patch a friend showed me. Not much on the agenda today; I have to vacuum downstairs this morning, last night I dropped a needle and couldn't find it. Don't want any chances of someone else finding it. I may be working on another Honor Flight block  and also spend time quilting.

Yesterday was a big day here at my blog~I posted my 2,000th post. That seems like it took me a lot of years, considering I've been blogging for almost 8 years-I so remember when I started. There are still days when I feel I've nothing to share, but I'm so thankful to be here. I've made some incredible friends here!
I hope you have a fantastic day and spend some time doing something you enjoy.
Hugs,
Noreen

Happy March

Happy March to you! March always signifies spring weather, new life with plants and animals and celebrating the great outdoors~of course that is what it signified for me living in northern California. I still remember the scent of the Cherry Trees in bloom; the winds that allowed for kite flying and especially daffodils blooming. Here in Colorado, March can be such a different month; one of blizzards, high winds,heavy rains or a bit of all three. I usually stock up on some canned goods for the basement, just in case of a natural disaster.
 This week it is a week of anticipation, a week where my daughter's family will possibly get their new puppy-that brings me great joy. I've shown this before, but here is the Momma dog. She's a beauty and I'm hoping the female puppy they get isn't any taller.

Here is the latest picture the breeder sent. At first, I thought it was a stuffed dog until I looked closer. Our grandson wasn't happy with the nose being shaved, but that will grow out. As you can see from the photo of the Mother dog, the cut is not a traditional show cut. This is the cut that they will have for the puppy.

I love the eyes on this pup-she is beautiful and the breeder says she is so sweet and laid back.  She will be joining a household of 6 kiddos and another dog, so she better be laid back. 
I'm heading down to sew right now, but hope you have a wonderful start to a new month.
Joy to you!
Noreen