Last weekend when we stopped at the yarn shop to pick up the circular needle that I needed and we had to drive through this neighborhood.  Someone had shoveled out the pond and this man was enjoying the afternoon with his dog.  I wish you could have been with me going through this neighborhood.  It has a feel all it's own.  Each house has it's own distinct look.  It's almost like being in another world.  In the summer it looks like a town out on the prairie somewhere or somewhere from the Twilight Zone.  The grass is left to grow to it's natural state.  When the snow melts and the grass is grown, I will do a photo tour of this neighborhood for you.  This is not your typical neighborhood, it has a complete look of it's own.  I can't explain it and maybe I won't even be able to capture the feeling in a photo.  I'm going to try but sometimes you have to be there to feel it.

Look what came in the mail yesterday, Thursday...no wonder it's my favorite day of the week.

Doesn't it just make your mouth water looking at it?  I ordered this from Fresh-Squeezed Fabrics, Randi from I have to say has this shop.  I finally broke down after resisting the temptation since her shop opened up to buy any fabric, plus I had to clean out my sewing room before I could even think about buying any more fabric.  So, now that the sewing room is cleaned out and seeing the wonderful fabric that Anna bought I broke down.  So, if you want some delicious fabric just head on over and check it out...the fabric is wonderful.  I already have plans for it.

Another package arrived yesterday too.  I'm so excited I found these over at Cath Kidston clearance sale, and there's not much left anymore, so I'm glad I bought when I did.

They're all washed and put away...the pillowcases will match my white sheets.

Not much going on here...trying to get the knitting project done.  I've been sewing some and today I plan to cut some of that beautiful fabric up and I just hate to do it.  I'm like that with fabric and yarn, I could look at it all day.  But, before I can do that I have to get up to the office and work.  Work...sigh...there are a few good things tho about my job.

1. I don't have to leave the house, I just head up the stairs to the office above the garage.

2. I can make my own hours.

3. I'm married to my boss, but I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

4. I do get paid so that I can buy the things I need for my habit...like the photos above.

Tonight I'm going on a date with my hubby.  Yes that's what I said...a DATE.  I don't think we've called going out for dinner a "date" in a very long time.

So, you all have a wonderful Friday and I'll see you next week.

I've been doing some sewing the past couple of days.  My ASG neighborhood group challenge for February is pillowcases for The Ronald McDonald House, the ASG National Community Service Project.  So far I have made 4 and have 2 more cut out ready to be sewed together and I bought more fabric to make some more.  The pattern I use is called the "hot dog" pillow case, it's very easy and simple to make.  Here is a link to one I found that is very similar to the one I use.

The pillowcases fit a standard size pillow. 

 I have 40 of the 60 Siggy Blocks made, only 20 to go...then I have to personalize each block.

It's still cold here but at least the sun is shinning.  DH is slowly on the mend...Thanks so much for the well wishes.  I'm crossing my fingers that I"m not next.  I believe in sharing but that I'll pass on.

The other day I arose before the sun came up and this is what I saw when it appeared.  The picture really doesn't do it justice. 

Lots of giveaways in blogland and I've entered quite a few.  I've got some purchases coming in the mail and I can't wait to share them with you.

Is sick with chills, aches, stomach flu and just can't keep the old body warm.  So I fed him some sick food...sprite and english muffin.  I was wishing I had a flower to put on the tray.   The tray is one I used as a young girl.  My dad made it when he was in High School.

 Look what walked in my door yesterday.  My mom has made a few quilts over the years and started this quilt awhile back...and I get to finish it.

This is the quilt pattern.  

Such detail with putting it together.

My mom even put the year that she bought the fabric, February 26, 1988, almost 21 years old.

The only thing I have to do is finish the rest of the hand quilting and put on the binding edge. 

I had to stop at the yarn shop the other day to get a longer circular needle so I can keep going on the project I'm making and saw this item.

Isn't it cute?  It's a tape measure and I just couldn't pass it up.

Now I'm hoping that I don't get sick.

There's an awesome giveaway over at bitty bits & pieces, and if you go over and enter the giveaway let Kim know that I sent you.

A page from the Apronisms (Pocket Wisdom for Every Day) Book by EllynAnne Geisel. 

I love my apron books and when I opened the Apronisms book this was the page that I opened to.  I guess I need to start preparing myself for when the last one flies the coop.  Do you think opening the book to this page means something? (lol) 

Hey all you apron lovers in case you haven't heard there is a "new" apron magazine coming out called Apronology and you can read all about it over at Apron Memories.

The weekend turned pretty cold, but not as cold as we've had a couple of weeks ago.  I forgot to show you something I won in a giveaway.  A cute knitted mug cozy that wraps great round our Waffle House coffee cup. 

I made a wonderful recipe the other night.  This one I found over at Warm Pie, Happy Home, called Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie.  I had to pick up two of the Grandkids from their bus stop so they had dinner with us, and they loved this different form of Spaghetti.

I also made this recipe from Anna at Thimbleanna last week and I made Nikki's Challah bread to go with it....YUM!!!  Dummy me I forgot to snap pictures.  I remembered after it was all gone....sigh!

I saw something over at my friend Diane's Blog.  It was so cute I thought I would make one myself and since Valentine's Day is fast approaching I thought I would decorate mine for Valentines Day.

A view from the top. 

Sorry the pictures are a bit dark.  I went to Hobby Lobby and found oodles of things on sale to put in it.  It's one way to get some use out of my cake plate. 

I have all my blocks cut out for the Siggy Swap and I've started sewing them together.  It's been fun doing it and now I know why people quilt.  I don't think I will ever get like this lady AmandaJean, she calls her blog "crazy mom quilts", and she not only quilts she knits too.

Now I'm off to the races with getting things done around here.

You all have an awesome day today.

Here is some FYI on the J&P Coats and Clarks Thread spools.  My friend Zaroga gave me a link to the Coats history, it's very interesting, just click on the link below.

History of Coats and Clark.

Thanks Zaroga!

It's been a while since I did Show & Tell Friday over at Kelli's blog.  To see more just click on her name.

I'm going to show you a few items that I have displayed in my sewing room.  I'm sure most of you remember J&P Coats spools of thread.  I have this sign hanging in my sewing room.  The sign however is not old, it's a replica that I found somewhere.

The next few pictures are items that I found in the bag that I "bought" at my ASG Auction in 2007.  Now, these items are old.  When I was deep cleaning my sewing room I found these tuck away.  I almost threw out the bag, but then I took a second look and found these treasures.  I put them on the embellishment center that my husband has recently put up for me. 

How fitting to find these spools of thread.  I'm interested in knowing why one spool says J&P Coats, one spool says Clark's and one spool says Coats & Clark's.  Did Coats and Clark's combine some how or is it a totally separate company from J&P Coats.  Ladies, any ideas?

 The next interesting treasure in the bag is standing in the corner behind the spools of thread.  This obviously was an advertisement.  Inside there are sewing needles.

Inside the gold pocket there are 17 nickle plated sewing needles and there are two needles on the right side. 

There is not a year on it so I can't say how old this is.  I noticed on the front there's the company name, town and state but no zip code.  I think if I remember right from when my dad collected vintage items that having no zip code on an item meant that it was from certain years.

I'm also hoping that someone has seen something like this and can give me an idea as to how old this might be.

Thanks for stopping by to see my Show & Tell.

I know it's still January and there's snow still on the ground.  I'm longing for Spring to come early this year.  So, off went the winter banner and a change of colors. 

I can't wait to see the lilacs blooming again and to drink in their fragrance.

Tuesday night we had an overnight guest who left his shoes tucked under a cubby in the breezeway.  Well, I guess Sadie isn't over that chewing stage yet.

I could have died a thousand deaths.  Luckily Drew had to wear his Army uniform for his appointment that morning.  What a "fine" way to treat an Army Soldier....sigh.

This morning I could see the chick-a-dee's flitting around the yard.  They look so warm with their fluffy thick feathers.

Off to start my day with a bit more cutting and sewing for the Siggy Swap, and a bit more knitting on the secret project.

You all have a wonderful day.

Late last fall Jim's brother Joe poured his driveway...here are some shots from that day November 1st.

Our son Philip really getting into the job making sure it's just right. 

Our son Peter has the patience of a saint doing the finishing work to get the finish just right. 

Pete and his Uncle Joe checking out the finish.

Jim and our son Joshua troweling the concrete. 

Jim talking to his brother Joe.  I'm not sure which one has the most grey hair :)