R&R

What an amazing day. Yes it's hot but I don't care. I spent the entire day with my husband (we rarely have the same days off) and it could not have been better! We  started off with breakfast at a cute little cafe then spent the afternoon shopping. I picked up a little Kate Spade case for my phone...pooka dots...I love me some pooka dots, then relaxed the rest of the evening. Also, I painted my toenails red.

New Bird Feeder!

I know...that's not a bird feeder, it's a colander full of kidney beans. I just wanted to say something about kidney beans before I get to the bird feeder. Umm, they are so pretty I think they deserve a new name. Kidney beans makes them sounds like gross organ meat that kids across the land would not touch with a ten foot fork. I make a motion that we rename the kidney bean! If you have any suggestions please share!

 



 

OK, now on to matters of bird feeders. I picked up this bird feeder over the winter and am just now getting around to putting it out. I've stalled on putting it out because it's so cute (I think it looks like a tiny modern house) and I don't want the squirrels to mess it up. I know they have to eat too, but they completely destroy every feeder I put out. It makes no sense to not put it out, but I had to wait till I was mentally prepared to have my new feeder turn to chewed, clawed lumps of plastic.

Alright! So far so good, the birdies are enjoying it, the "squirrel baffler" that it's hanging from appears to be working! Maybe the shape of this one is not interesting to them! This is awesome!
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Well, it was cute while it lasted...OK that squirrel is pretty cute too. Have a lovely day lovely people! I'll talk to you soon!

-Shelly

The Way of the Kentuckian

There are two things I've learned since moving to Kentucky.
1. GO CATS!
2. Sweet Tea is a given.

As for number one, as far as I'm concerned a cat is a domestic animal that does what it wants so much so that we even let it do it's "business" indoors. What other furry animal can say that? As for number 2, sweet tea, it's just something I cannot get on board with. It amazed me that when I first moved to Kentucky I had to specify that I wanted "Un-sweet tea", then the server would repeat back to me "you want un-swait tay?" with a very judgmental look in their eyes. There is however another drink that seems to be acceptable...BIG RED. I give you a true southern mess of a meal...

Oh my, I think I love Kentucky. This meal provided by Marks Feed Store. What an appropriate name. Because what you're doing when you're there is FEEDING. Shoving amazing BBQ in your face and washing it down with BIG RED. Don't even think about eating the fries, there fine, but you won't have room for dessert. Honestly, if you eat the entire sandwich you won't have room, but somehow we tried.

Did I mention what dessert was? Some crazy thing I had never eaten before called Buttermilk Pie. Holy Cow, it's amazing. 2-3 bites is more than enough, after the BIG RED your teeth will curl up and run for cover.

I love Kentucky.

I think Pippa wants some BBQ.

Wishing for things today...

I think I'm getting sick (scratchy throat) so I'm really just wishing I didn't have to go to work today because all day long I talk to people and this feeling in my throat is the feeling I get when laryngitis sets in. I wish I could just be quiet and domestic today...Here are some photos of my former domestic life. I'm longing for doing just one of these things today.



Baking Amish white bread...then eating the ends with butter.

Doing some needlework or knitting.



Snuggling with my two favorite girls.

Playing in the garden.

Painting cups of tea.

Picking strawberries.



Airing out the quilts.

Spirituality Over Rice Cereal

Every so often I get a letter from my very dear friend Beth. Beth is a missionary and she has to fundraise for her own salary every year. Can you imagine doing this? I suppose I take for granted that I can just show up at my job, do what they ask and I'm guaranteed a check at the end of the week...no worries.

Beth and I don't have the same views about religious matters or political matters but it has never mattered in the 20+ years that we've been friends. I love getting her newsletter and seeing the work she is doing because I know how important it is to her. I know it is filling up her spiritual cup. I think we as a human race all have a need and a curiosity to know what is beyond. It's in our blood, it's part of our nature. How could we watch the cycle of life year after year and not have this be part of us? I only wish people could be accepting of others and how they choose to seek out these answers. Or respect that many people choose not to go searching and just live every day for what it is. I'm awake, I'm breathing in fresh air, and I'm going to make the very best of this day that I've been given by God by Nature, by whatever. Oops...there went the laundry buzzer...I'll be right back.

 



How convenient was that? Things were starting to get heavy. OK so above is photo of a mala necklace I just made. Not only a fun little craft project but it has turned out to be a great tool for meditating. I'm new to meditation but I know a few people who do it and they are always encouraging me to give a try. I've tried in the past but honestly my brain has about 5 hamsters running on the same wheel so trying to calm it down is really difficult. A mala necklace is a beaded necklace used for meditation or prayer. There are 108 beads, you start at the end where the head is and use each bead to say your mantra or prayer and when you get to the head you go back the other direction. This has been wonderful for calming my mind. This may sound crazy, but allowing my mind to relax is making me feel more awake during the day. Even if I wake and am very sleepy, after 20 minutes of meditation I feel wide awake. Amazing. I got everything to make the necklace at JoAnne Fabrics (even the little Buddha head). The beads are made from shell and the red string is just embroidery floss.

So since we are on the topic of spirituality I wanted to share my new favorite hymn. My husband and I were so lucky to see Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers and Edie Brickell last week. Hope you get a good laugh and enjoy this!

One more thing, if you would like to learn more about my friend Beth and give you can visit her page with One Mission Society here http://www.onemissionsociety.org/give/bethjordal .

-Shelly

 

http://youtu.be/wogta8alHiU