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From Sue Fitzmaurice's Facebook (with Nelda Brock).

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Cheyenne, Here I Come

Tomorrow morning, it's back to work, judging at the Cheyenne Heritage Quilters' annual show. I have a few days of appraising afterward, as well. 
     I've been doing this gig for years -- at least 7 or 8, and maybe a decade. The show is wonderful. This guild has a real knack especially for scrap quilts, as well as mixing applique with other quilt styles. I always learn something new from them. 
     The Mama will stay home this time, and cook for the Brick. He needs someone to baby him, after my being gone most of the summer. 
     Meanwhile:

The "hidden city" trick to saving on airfare. (From Tight Fisted Miser)

Four ways to get the item you want, at the price you want. (From Penny Hoarder)

Interesting ways to hustle up (and save money on) lunch box prep. This focuses on kids, but I know plenty of adults who would enjoy it, too. (From She Knows.com) 

Easy refreshments for a baby shower (or any other social event) -- including some wonderful Rice Krispie Pops. (From Pretty/Hungry)

Two ingredients - one yummy cake. (And it's been around for more than 84 years now!) Don't miss out on Food52's five-step process for making any kind of flavor of 'icebox cake,' either. (Here's the link.)

The only fried chicken recipe you'll ever need. (From Epicurious)

The best teacher gifts...written by a teacher. Good for starting to plan.


A duck tape belt pouch to make yourself. (I thought it was "duct tape," but what do I know...) Camo-style tape gives this customized pouch visual flair. (From Frugal Upstate)

Ten celebrities who may have been (or were diagnosed as) autistic.

An AMAZING pallet wood deck.  Yow, this is nice! (But then, you knew I'm a little pallet-crazy already.) From Scrapality.com. She's got an interesting shed made out of pallets, too...

Have a great week -- and stop by the show, if you can! Here's the link.

What Could You Do with a Pallet?

It's difficult for me to drive by a dumpster, see a wooden pallet leaning up against it...and not stop to grab one. (Or more, if I'm lucky.) Maybe they originally held products, like electronics, appliances, even motorcycles. But now I'm nutso for these wooden foundations. Why? Because they're the start to so many interesting projects.

At first, I was just interested because  pallets are generally free. And we were looking for firewood. Then I used a few to make a compost bin. Hmmm...

Funky Junk Interiors got me started down the primrose path, by showing her amazing farm table desk. All made from pallets.

(She also has a weekly 'upcycling' DIY ideas party that often includes pallet projects.)

One of my other inspirations is Road Kill Rescue. Their posts feature all sorts of reworked projects, but the pages and pages of pallet-related items are fascinating. Like this wonderful antique-looking clock, courtesy of Designed Decor.

 Or a reclaimed wood fireplace surround from I Think We Could Be Friends. Wow.

Here's what's on my mind right now: a narrow grow-box that will span the edge of our concrete deck. Georgia Pellagrini did a similar project with purchased lumber.

I feel quite certain I can get this look with pallet lumber. We'd have to make more than one box, anyways,  to span the length of the deck.

This might well be my fall project...that is, after I get back from Cheyenne. I'm headed there Tuesday to judge the Cheyenne Heritage Quilters' annual show, then appraise for a few days. I've been going there for years -- and have never failed to be amazed at what these spirited Western quilters come up with. If you're in the area, stop by. You'll be pleased!

Work first...then play.

Dogs on Hogs

   The Huffington Post did a video mix of something that Charley would love --
                   Dogs riding on motorcycles! 

Click on the link above if you want a grin...or check out these videos below, gleaned from Youtube.

Yes, we have a bike. (A Yamaha Virago)

No, I am not getting Abby and Charley their own helmets and goggles.

Piles, Piles, Piles

...no, I am not talking about health issues.

Coming back, after 2 1/2 months away, means you're not only going to bring a bunch of stuff back...that stuff, after it comes out of the car, is going to accumulate in big messy glops of stuff.

And your partner, however well-meaning, has been contributing to his own piles ever since you left.

Right now the Brick house has STUFF. Some are my piles, some are the Brick's...and some are contributions from friend Constance, who moved shortly before I left. (And brought over her leftover cleaning products, unused spices, as well as things like ironing boards and storage crates.)

Guess where these piles are?

Basically everywhere you look.

I've been trying to tackle at least one pile a day, by:

*pouring cleaning products together
*throwing out stained or damaged clothing (we've got enough, based on the piles, to merit this)
*taking items out of their packaging
*using boxes and other storage (hello, crates!) to consolidate things like fabric, leftover kits and embellishments

Oh, and ironing and Putting Away. The Brick kept his clothes washed, but let the ironing accumulate big-time. I spent a few hours last night ironing, and more's on the docket today.

Sooner or later, I should start seeing results. Meanwhile, there's another pile that needs organizing...wish me luck.


(Here's a slideshow on how organizing a house can only make it look more messy!)

Oh my goodness, it's a.... floor!

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Back in the Harness Again

A beautiful day, laundry on the line...and suddenly I am feeling a strong urge to be out on the road again...but with the Brick in tow this time. He said that it was probably a response to going back to the 'responsible' parts of life: the business, taking care of the Mama, doing dishes, cleaning up, etc. 
    I think he's right. Meanwhile:

How to sell things online fast -- through Facebook! (From My Money Design)

A day at the dog park. 

A particularly good Readers Mailbag at The Simple Dollar. I try to read this regular feature (Mondays and Thursdays)...you should, too. This version offers a free way to earn some extra income, free music and other stuff.

'Sharknado's' touched off its own feeding frenzy. I got to watch Sharknado 2 this past week...maybe sillier than the first one (can you really swing a chainsaw around like a toothpick?!), but had its funny moments. And who can argue with watching a whole bunch of New Yawkers fight back? If you can handle the occasional gore with more than a little willing suspension of disbelief, you'll enjoy it.

Eleven celebrities who aren't leaving much to their kids. For good reason, too. Sting's take on this subject (and his growing-up days) is particularly interesting.

James Brady just died. Remember him? He was Reagan's Press Secretary...and took a bullet for his president. Click on the link for an interview just a few years ago. 

Strawberry ice cream without the ice cream freezer. Yum. (From Soupbelly)

Ten ways to save on back to school costs. From yours truly, via Midlife Finance.


Thanks for stopping by. It's great to see you.

There's No Place Like Home

...really.

The Mama and I drove into Colorado late on Thursday evening. After driving for three out of the four previous days, I was ready for it to be DONE.

A few days sleeping in, putzing around the house (and trying hard to ignore The Mama, who has her own agenda of What I Should Be Doing, whether or not I agree), playing with the dogs and snuggling up to the Brick have worked wonders. I feel much better. I've been slowly putting away things, catching up on paperwork, and starting to go back into normal life. It feels strange, like speaking a language I'm fluent in, but haven't used for months. 2 1/2 months, to be exact.

But it's lovely to be here. In other words: