Friday, August 17, 2007

Potpourri Friday



I am going to try a new thing on my blog. It seems like throughout the week I collect things to blog about but I never am able to find the time to devote to each little topic. So now on Friday's I am going to do a post and mention everything that I collect during the week. Warning - this week may be kind of long (smile).

This past week we celebrated my mom's 70th birthday. She sure doesn't seem 70 to me. She can still work circles around me. She loves projects of any kind and all of us girls appreciate all the help she gives us from babysitting, dog-sitting, painting rooms, refinishing wood floors - you name it and she loves to help! She is in the center of the picture on the left. She looks so young - you probably can't pick her out!

Our family took her to the Olive Garden to celebrate. There were 23 of us! We put 8 of the kids at a table across the room by themselves - it was the best the staff could do to accomodate us. We were a bit nervous about it - these kids can be rambunctios - but they were perfect little angels. I guess they felt all important being off by themselves in a big restaurant. They did get a lot of funny looks from customers who walked by wondering how they got there and why they were alone.

I have been reading on a lot of blogs about how everyone is getting in the Christmas spirit and starting all their projects for the holidays - and you inspired me! So I spent some time in my sewing room this week organizing my plans. I can't share everything with you because each year I handmake an ornament for my daughters and our church board members. So many of them read my blog that if I posted about it there wouldn't be a surprise - so those things will have to remain a secret. However I did find this project I started years ago and I have determined to finish it:


I also found this adorable pattern for Quiet Books that I am going to make for two special little 3 year olds in my life. My mom used to make these when my sisters were babies and I loved them then. This pattern looks a little simpler and I can't wait to start.


I have also found a great idea for a gift to make for each of my daughters. Sorry girls, I know you are reading this - it's Top Secret! But you're going to like it. And it is very practical. And very pretty. And I can't wait to see how much you are going to like them - and that's all I have to say about that!

Then awhile back I got tagged by Becky at The Butler's Wife to spell out your fellow blogger friends names in a unique manner. The idea is you spell the name of the person that tagged you and then several other blogging friends. Becky used buttons - because she is retired and she sews a lot. Lucky her. I wish I was retired. But I digress - anyhow, I decided that since I breed Yorkshire Terriers and I always have a lot of dog food on hand - I would spell our names in dog food! However, I had to wait until I was at home alone because I'm pretty sure I couldn't spin the sight of me spelling names with dogfood to my family in any other way other than - "Yep, I've finally lost it." So here goes:

Becky is first - she is just the sweetest person. She calls me a kindred spirit and I like that. It makes me feel like Diana to Anne Shirley. Becky is a fellow pastor's wife, she is a retired teacher, a mom to three boys and she has her own Butler! I love Becky's practicality and her personality. I'm pretty sure if we ever get to meet in person we will be instant sister chicks!


Here are a few more bloggy friends whom I enjoy each and every day:

Corrie at One Gal's Life in the Raw is a young mom whom I really admire. I love her outlook on life and she is just the kind of mom I hope my girls are someday.


Angie at The Knightly News is a new friend. I really like the feel of her blog. I have just started reading her and I am looking forward to getting to know her better. Here you go Angie:



And then finally, I want to introduce you all to a new blogger whom I think is just awesome. She is a stay at home mom to four kids and she babysits so she can continue to stay at home. You never know how many little ones are going to be at her house. She is a great mom, her house is always clean, her laundry is most always done and she is just a great person. Oh, and did I mention that she is my sister! Everyone welcome Mindy from Mindy's Life! Here Mindy- here is your name all done up fancy like in dog food!


You might wonder where my dogs were while I was being so cleverly creative with their lunch. Well, for sure they couldn't be anywhere around or they would have gobbled your names up before I could get a picture. So here is where they were:



And finally I wanted to say a big thank-you to Laura from Laura William's Musings for bestowing this lovely award on me.



“This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.”

I can't think of any award I would be more proud to have. Being nice isn't always the most natural or the easiest thing to be. I have to work at it. I suspect we all do sometimes. I can't possible limit this award to only7 others. Sorry, can't do it. I haven't run across anyone not nice in this little blog land we have. I think you are all nice!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'm spending some time with my husband and am going to try to lay a bit low. It's been such a busy summer and I just long to stay home and get rejuvinated!

16 comments:

Unknown said...

OH! You are so right. I have not run into a not-nice blogger either. What a great way to put it into words. So NICE of you :) Well deserved and congratulations.

You are hilarious with the dog food. That was perfect! And I giggled at the part about you playing with their lunch and how they would gobble up our names. And thank you so much for the nice things you said. You're a dear!

Your quilt is incredible. I am SO JEALOUS. What a lovely, lovely project. And I do hope you put pictures up of the other surprises you are working on AFTER the holidays. I can't wait to see so I can be inspired to start on next year's fun :)

What a great post. And doing a Friday wrap up is the best idea. I have one blogging friend that posts when she can, but she can really do a wonderful one on Sundays, when she wraps up her week, gives us a devotional, has a favorite picture of the week, quote of the week (comment), etc. I wait anxiously for her Sunday posts every week. Lately ... they have come on Monday. She's busy too.

Good to catch up with you Robin. Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for playing along on the name game.

kris said...

Love the dog food names! I was thinking as I was reading this that my dogs would have been eating the food faster than I could get a photo of it - so I loved the pic of yours watching you!! Happy birthday to your mom - my dad turns 80 this month. I used to think 80 was old - but not anymore! And 70 is getting started. :)

kris said...

(OR "just" getting started! Need to hit preview before I hit publish!)

Mindy said...

Hey Robin! Thanks for spelling my name out in dogfood, I have to say I've never had that done for me before! It was great! Also, thanks for the intro, I think this blogging thing is going to become a favorite pasttime! -Mindy

Sonya said...

Love that you used dogfood! I think my hubby would have thought I was crazy if he saw me doing that! LOL! Very creative!

pei girl said...

Robin what a great post as always,love the quilt it is just lovely,sending birthday wishes to your mom and you are right Robin she is very young looking.have an awesome day Robin.:0) (hugs from the Island)

Mishel said...

What a neat post! It was fun to read about your week. And good for you, getting a head start on those Christmas projects! I am just itching to do something creative, but because we are remodeling our home, all my sewing/crafting/scrapbooking stuff is in storage. : (

Have a great weekend!!

Unknown said...

That is TOOOOO funny. No popcorn before microwaves!!! I love it!

Good to hear from you this Sunday morning. I'll let all know how the Butler's trip goes. Thanks for praying with me.

Have a great week, Robin.

Aunt Angie said...

Robin how neat! My name may never be in "lights" but I can now say it has been in "dog-food"!! That was sweet!!! I am going to have to "think" hard to come up with something to do names in! I have little hands that keep trying to "mash" buttons on my computer! So no telling what is typed!!!/
I tried to divert his attention with your puppies...but he wanted to "get them".
The birthday celebration looked like a blast!
I like the idea of a potpourri Friday!
I absolutely love the bloggity friends I have met. I cannot get over the goodness of the Lord to me sometimes.
"Talk" to you sometime tomorrow!!!--BTW, I am having a book give-away if you have time to stop by---:)

Unknown said...

Robin, I know that yearning, believe me. That is why I refer to you as my kindred spirit.

I am praying for your perseverance sister!

Corrie said...

Glad your mom's birthday went well. How fun!
I have never been more honored to have my name spelled out in dog food before!!! Okay, I've never really had my name spelled out in dog food before...I can't wait to do this meme. Stay tuned to see your name soon!
Have a great day, Robin. I am thankful for your friendship!

Karen said...

Hi Robin,
I'm sending you in e-mail with my address (in about 2 minutes here). Let me know if you don't get it. I sent you one about a week ago?, but I must've had your address wrong if it didn't go through. BTW, my email address is shellseeker1958 at msn dot com, incase you think it's spam:)

Ashleigh Baker said...

Your mom does look young... I can barely tell which one is her! :)

I love that quiet book pattern... I may have to look that one up. It looks like a good thing to have for church or while I'm nursing the new baby and want to keep my toddler occupied. :)

Diane @ A Watered Garden said...

Hi Robin, I'm back and trying to make my rounds in blogville this week. I like your idea about posting a "catch-up" type post. I've been thinking about the same thing...just a way to share lots of little "tid-bits" vs. an every day play-by-play of what life looks like on this end. I think that's why I haven't been posting much...kind of an all-or-nothing blogging approach! LOL Your Christmas quilt looks beautiful. I'm also interested in your quiet book pattern. I've never seen that before and it would certainly be fun to make those up for grandkids (someday, Lord willing). Have a great week! Blessings, Diane

gail@more than a song said...

I love your dog food names, cute! There are so many nice bloggers out here, glad I found yours too!
You and Becky are so smart doing all this quilting, I so need to learn how....and I love the little books. Is that a simplicity pattern? I've got a few little ones I might could do that for but I would definitely need a pattern.
I'm behind on all my sewing right now but need to get on it again.

Fun family pics!

Aunt Angie said...

Robin,
Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my post today. I didn't have your e-mail address to reply to the comment you left....But I have been there---in that painful place of mothering. I would love to share more w/you and how the Lord brought me through---up to this point that is :)---He still carries me! Like you, there are some things I can't post on my blog. But God is good...through all of it. He hears our prayers and I will not give up praying for my prodigal child---and her husband...and all the prodigals in our life!
Be blessed---you are such an encouragement to me! Thank you for all your prayers and sweetness!
(((HUGS)))