A Simple Woman Failure

I can't do it. I tried. I really love reading all the Simple Woman Daybook's on Monday. I will continue to read them, but I am having a hard time with it. I have too much to say, especially on Monday's. I have even found myself posting on the weekends, knowing I won't be able to be my usual blabber mouth self on Monday! I can hear Linda laughing all the way from Oklahoma!!! Shush!!! Anyway, living simply and blogging simply are two different things. I am not living simply by most "plain" standards, but I have really pared things down around here...I will never be able to raise all my own food (nor do I want to), but a little kitchen garden is my simple step. I am not consuming as much....well, just about everything...as I was before. We eat simpler, making more scratch foods to save on the grocery bill (and our health), we use less energy, making sure lights are off, we are buying less frivolous...except my trip to Galena ;), I am using more stash fabrics to make quilts. I have a baby quilt to make and may go buy one accent fabric, but will use mostly stash...maybe all, we'll see. I think making changes in your life to live more simply are great, but don't lose who you are (even if you are a blabber mouth!). I am terrible with coupons. They make me a wreck. If I run across one I will use it, but I can't spend my time or energy hunting them down. If, and when the time comes that I NEED to do this, I am thrilled at the blogs who have owners that are coupon Queens!! I will know where to go! Now, my Daybook would never have allowed me that rant!!!

Monday. I love Mondays. Unlike alot of people, I never feel like my little friend in the picture on Mondays. Everyone here easily gets back in the weekly groove, and Sweetheart is home for dinner. There are 3 nights during the week that he is gone 12+ hours. Monday's are nice. Today, laundry is part of the plan, along with school and, guess what??? (Zachary's famous words...you have to answer with "what?" or he will not stop saying it) I have worked sewing time back into my schedule. I love to sew in the mornings and I have lots of machine work to do...("G" I have not forgotten your apron!). Charlotte has finished her math for the year...she is doing a daily review now and requires little assistance. Zach is almost done, and though he "gets" it, he requires some assistance with the directions. This means I need to be ever present for him. Here is the plan....He can do his math at my desk while I am 5 ft away sitting at my machine. I did LOTS of sewing over the weekend. Here are some of my finished projects.... 216, 2 and 1/2 inch squares all cut for the 24 nine patches. It took 24 fabrics to do this...all stash fabric!Here are 6 of the finished blocks...there are 6 more exactly like these! A set for me and one for Linda! I have 12 more and those will get done today during math and writing (also done at my desk). I also finished my 4 Seasons Swap. Follow the link here and you can see some wonderful spring quilts. The baskets are 6" finished and the entire quilt measures 18x18. It has a definite Spring feel to it. I am terrible with labels...I need to buy some pre-made labels for future use. Here is the label I made for this piece. (I blanked out pertinent information) You can see my machine quilting on the back. Not terrible. It is totally hidden in the seams on the front. I can at least say it is done...and on time!!

I loaned my favorite chair to my daughter as it fit better with her desk. I noticed yesterday that the chair was not being cared for, so I asked Sweetheart if he could fix it. He re-painted it and reupholstered the seat...I LOVE it.
Sue gave me the cherry fabric and I just LOVE it. Now I can enjoy it everyday! I was able to keep my sewing mess under control, so today I have a nice neat area to work in. It is a cloudy dreary day here...perfect for sewing and cleaning...who says you can't do both!!?? As Kyle left for work this morning, here is what was happening outside... Yes, that is snow! It didn't last long and melted right away. Tomorrow is looking better weather wise, but for today, let it do whatever it wants...I have plenty to keep me busy right here in my home. Well it is time to sew....er, I mean do math....you get the idea!! Praying your Monday is a blessed one!