good reasons

I am cleaning house for company that we are getting next week...

thank heaven for company and a good reason to clean house right?

I could definitely use more company.

I couldn't dust my way past the computer

 without stopping to check e-mails and blogs.

Or blogging about my newest bag creation.

It's burlap on the top with large french print pockets

on both sides.

Very shabby chic!

It's a Noodlehead pattern.

Now back to my dusting.

Thank goodness I don't have to dust

 my way past my sewing machine.

~b

granny's

This project-in-progress sat in one of my antique bowls

taunting me for more than a few years.

Maybe I just liked the way they looked in that bowl?

I began making granny square vests as a teenager...

that was a long time ago!

The blanket turned out very sweet.

~b

artisan bread

I've said it before...

making bread is an art.

But I'm not quite sure why they call this artisan bread

when it is so easy to make.

Just four ingredients...

flour, water, salt and yeast!

Mix it up in the evening for baking the next day.

No need to knead either.

Isn't the English language strange?

You bake the bread in a dutch oven...

the picture of mine turned out blurry.

And I really wanted to show you my Le Creuset...

I gave an arm for that pan.

This bread is very crusty and a little tough...

like an Italian dipping bread.

It tastes like sour dough bread.

And with that thought...

 I may open up a jar of my homemade spaghetti sauce

for a spaghetti and meatball supper.

Artisan Crusty bread...look it up online for recipes and instructions.

~b

sunny and grow'n

The sun was shining when we woke up this morning...

finally!

Can you tell I was craving sunshine 

when I shopped for fabric this weekend?

I started a another granny square baby blanket. 

Would you say flower or sun?

Some sunshine for Mother's Day from son and family.

Lemon bars always make me happy.

Our resident squirrel loves yellow too!.

~b 

Herb

Today I am wearing my herbalist apron.

Picture me in a peasant dress...

Birkenstock's...

with a long grey braid under my straw hat.

I'm such a dreamer!

Reality: Cut-offs, crocs,

and short curly hair under a beat-up straw hat.

Planting herbs is therapy to me.

Cilantro for salsa...

thyme in my chicken soup...

basil for my favorite tomato soup...

chives in potato salad...

sage for Thanksgiving dressing...

parsley goes in everything...

and lavender for a good nights sleep.

~b

36

Happy Birthday to our daughter today.

I made her this window pouch and put a few notions in it.

I loved the fabric I used for it.

Actually I made two of them.

Yes that's my featherweight sewing machine in the picture.

I haven't had it long.

 I recently had it serviced so it is ready to use.

I may call her Bertha.

Singer's Featherweights were workhorses...

just like my Grandma Bertha was.

"Have a great day Tara!"

~b

pie time

"Will work for rhubarb!"

When the lilacs are done blooming...

it's time to make rhubarb pie.

And who cares about lilacs when there's rhubarb growing.

I've been known to beg for rhubarb.

Pathetic right?

I could be a closet pie eater.

Beautiful! Isn't it?

~b