These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

Just a quick look at 2010!

I'm linking up with Kathleen at Faded Charm for the last White Wednesday of 2010.

Christmas Florals And The Cutest Little Sweet Treat

My cancer recent illness has slowed me down a bit, but I've still managed to do a bit of decorating (inch by inch).  Just wanted to share a few pics:

I love the fresh cedar garland which my husband brought home with the tree.  He's a good guy!

I purchased the fresh bay leaf wreaths on Etsy. Several friends will be receiving these as gifts this season! I added the bird...

Picked lots of these tiniest tangerines from a friend's tree....They are so cute, but much to sour to eat!

Only planted one batch of paperwhites also!

Lemon leaf (Salal) wreath over my kitchen window!

Aren't these the cuttest little iced gingerbread star cookies?  They are only about 1 1/2" in diameter.  I found them at Aldi's Supermarket!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Blessings,

Susie

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful...it was a good day!

Susie

A New Style ~ Got Any Hats?

So, I have lost my hair, but here's the good news:

~I'll save $ on haircuts, color, shampoo, etc.
~Faster showers
~Less time to get dressed
~It feels funny

People tell me my head has a nice shape, and my ears are nice too
I'm believing it will grow back thick and curly

But, in the meantime, got any extra hats?

Cancer Update

Thanks to everyone who has offered strength and encourgement as I deal with Ovarian Cancer. I'm in the hospital for my second round of chemo.  I got really sick after my first round, and ended up back in the hospital for 4 days.  This time, I will have a home care nurse checking up on me and make sure I stay hydrated.

This is definitely putting a damper on my holiday plans, but I'm just going to do things a little 'smaller' this year.....there'll be plenty more to go all out!

In the meantime, I have my lap top with me and am totally enjoying everyone's plans for the holidays unfold.

Be Blessed....I AM!
Susie

Happy Birthday Winner is Carole.... Yea

Thanks everyone for your birthday well wishes.  I've had an okay day, but definitely feeling better than yesterday.  My Son didn't bring over my Grandson, so I had 7 comments and asked my Husband to pick a number between 1 and 7.  He picked...........#5.

So my friend, Carole, you made the fifth comment and are therefore the winner of my birthday present!  This was fun to do on the spur of the moment!  Just let me know what you would like from my Etsy Shop and I'll send it out next week!

Off to bed now...I'm tired,
Blessings,
Susie

I Have A Birthday Present From Me to You!

I''ve always enjoyed giving presents, and so on my own birthday, it's no exception.  Yep...I'm 56 today!  It's certainly not going to be a momumental day....still feeling exhausted from the chemo and not bouncing back as I had hoped.
So I dediced that I'm going to give away a $50 gift certificate for any item in my Etsy Shop.  I actually just went in and reactivated a lot of stuff.

Just leave a comment or just say "hey"and this evening when my Grandson comes over, we'll put names in a basket, and let him draw one!  Just check back tonight or tomorrow am and email me your address and we'll get 'er done!

So, Happy Birthday To Me, and Good Luck and Best Wishes To You!

Blessings,
Susie

So Glad To Be Home

Just a quick update on my week.  I was able to come home from the hospital last night after my fifth day of chemotherapy.  I had NO side effects and tolerated all well...thank GOD!  I am thankful for my family and friends who have been supporting me so graciously!

It feels GREAT to be home....the best!  Now I just have to pace myself this week and try not to do too much....but there's pillows to be be made and stuff to fluff!

Blessings to all and thanks for your well wishes and prayers.....it works!

Susie

When Live Throws You Curves....Ya Gotta Learn To Swerve

So I guess today, I'm swerving.  Well at least my head is spinning.  Two weeks ago I had a hysterectomy, where I had a 15 lb. tumor removed from my right ovary.  We met with my Doctor today, and she is definitely recommending 3 rounds of chemo as there were definitely signs of stage 1 cancer.  The chemo will be done in the hospital for 4 days every 21 days.  They will install a port to administer the three types of chemo.  Bummer!

I don't want to bring anyone down and please don't feel sorry for me.  I have faith and know that God will bring me through this time.....it's just that right now I'm kinda numb, ya know?

They say the hospital has Wi-Fi so at least I can have ny laptop with me, and maybe even finish my rug hooking project that I started years ago.....That's a good thing.

Blessings,
Susie

Falling For White Wednesday

Quick Decorating

"Putting stuff together that you have available really fast"

 

I had purchased the bittersweet vine on Etsy a couple'a weeks ago.  This is the only 'orange' that will be in my Fall decor this year.  The crow is vintage paper mache'...my fav!

Check out the size of the sunflower head on the left! (Also an Etsy find).

I love this Audubon print of the crow.  I don't do 'halloween', but I do love crows!

"What is it?"

My collection of pumpkin stems under an old glass dome.  The base is a neat piece of hypertufa.

Just gotta get me some more white pumpkins....hope I can find 'em easily this year!

I'm linking up with Kathleen at Faded Charm for WW. 

Our prayers are with her son as he heals from a broken leg.....so sad.

Blessings,

Susie



We Will Remember

We shall never forget

We shall keep this day,

We shall keep the events and the tears

In our minds, our memory and our hearts

and take them with us as we carry on.

God Bless America! 

May we never take our freedom for granted.

"As The Crow Flies"

  ~ The most direct route between two places~

I always wondered what that phrase meant...so today I googled it..

Just gearing up for Fall, Ya'll...

Zinc

I love zinc...it catches my eye and makes me happy!  So....I was trying to figure out how to incorporate zinc into White Wednesday, googled it and here's what I found:

Definitions of zinc (n)
Bluish metallic element: a bluish white metallic element....Good enough for me!

Zinc'n  Linkin' up with Faded Charm for another Wonderful White Wednesday!

Susie's Composting 101 - Project Genesis

I'm hooking up with Suzan at Old Grey Mare for Project Genesis.  If you haven't already, head on over and take some time to read about it.  Suzan is an amazing advocate for keeping our planet healthy, has a wealth of information and if she doesn't inspire you....nothing will!  I know I have a long way to go to live as 'Green' as I would like....it's a process.  It makes us do things we aren't 'used' to.  Change is good, and there's so many 'simple and easy' things we can all do.

One thing that I am totally sold on is "Composting". I can remember searching for information about composting.  There's entire books about the subject:

Check out this book....all 1007 pages!

If I have one gardening book, I have 25 and most of them have information about composting.

I have a folder with magazine articles about composting, and how to build a 'fancy' way to keep it intact!

"Composting:  Make It or Buy It?"

"How to Bake Compost"

"Layering Green and Brown"

"Ratios"

"Build Your Perfect Compost Bin"

Well, I say "phooey" on all that....it's just way to complicated for my simple little country mind!

So, here's "Composting Susie's Way": 

1.  Know what to compost (now you may want to read up on this a bit, but here's the condensed version)

 ~Brown materials:  leaves, branches, wood chips, straw  - These add carbon

 ~Green materials:  grass clippings, discarded plants, well rotted manure (personally I don't have any of this laying around), kitchen scraps (no meat or bones)  - These add nitrogen

2.  Now don't get me wrong, I would love to have a fancy bin.....but I just find an outta the way place (easily accessible and not too far from the kitchen) and get started:

    Here's My Compost Pile (not so pretty, but effective)

2.  The books will give you complicated measurements for  layering.  Here's what I say:

~Start out with some brown stuff, add some green
~Throw on kitchen scraps, brown and green whenever you have 'em

3.  Get ya a good pitch fork and turn it when you feel like it (if I throw in a lotta kitchen scraps, I usually dig 'em in a bit).

4.   Water it now and then

5.   Wait a little bit, and before you know it, you'll have the most wonderful 'dark, garden gold' and it doesn't cost a penny!

Could it be any easier?

I don't know about you, but composting makes me feel good!

Now go dig them salad scraps outta the garbage and feed your compost pile!

Keep it Green,

Susie

White Wednesday ~ My Favorite White Things

 I'm linking up today with Faded Charm for White Wednesday. I thought today I would show some of my favorite white things.

 This is one of my latest finds....wonderful old dough bowl with original white paint.  Check out the repair...love it!

Have a Wonderful White Wednesday