Too long...

It has been too long since I posted here...
We've had a crazy month weather-wise. After a really nice December and January (well, for the most part), February brought us many cold days and lots of rain. I think those gray, rainy days make me lazy. At least that will be my excuse. I took this picture of my daffodils yesterday and they were a little sad looking on the cloudy day after being beaten down by the rain.

Along with the other things I have not been doing lately, I had a very light quilting month. Two members in my GardenWeb Quilt Forum Birthday Block Exchange (in addition to me), however, have March birthdays so I completed one of those blocks yesterday. I don't think I should show a picture because it just went out in the mail, but she requested blue and yellow stars and that's such a great combination!

I presented one of my quilt talks for my guild last week and really enjoyed sharing information with them. The period of time I cover in "History and Politics Reflected in Quilting" fascinates me. I keep gathering more and more information. If I had to live in an alternate time, that would be my pick.

I'll wrap this up for today by wishing my triplet grandsons a very Happy Birthday! They are 2 years old today. Triple the fun! A big hug from Grandma Jeanne.

Here's Piper

Here's Piper

Hooray, I got the pictures to load on my blog. I have no idea why they wouldn't load the last time I tried.
Our weather has been crazy, going back and forth from warm to cold. These pictures were taken on a really pretty day.

New Horse!

My new horse has been selected! Wow, I am so glad to be finished with the shopping process. I was spending lots of time on it since early November of last year. She's getting a new name which will be Piper.
I'm thinking of starting a new blog about my adventures with her so look and see if there is a new one listed in a few days. That way those who are interested in horses or pets in general can read more about her.

For some reason I can't get a picture to load right now. I'll attempt it a bit later.

Just Horsin' Around

I hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start. This week is so warm with beautiful weather. I know it will turn cold again, but this is a nice break and sure makes you feel like being outdoors.

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been looking for a horse. As I went from horse to horse and put lots of miles on my car, I really began to appreciate the two horses I had before.  Can you say absence makes the heart grow fonder? Anyway, some people will let you take a horse "on trial" and see if it does well at your place and let you get more used to the horse and it more used to you. I have one here on trial this week so the beautiful weather has really been appreciated.  So far things are going well. We take her to the vet for a pre-purchase exam on Monday and then I will decide. I will certainly put a picture in my next post if I keep her!

Wish me luck.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year 2013

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, and successful new year! The nativity set is one that my older daughter and her husband gave me several years ago. I love Blue Delft items so she knew I would love this unusual set.

I hope everyone made it through the Christmas season just fine. There seem to be lots of illnesses going around. I woke up Christmas morning with what I thought was a bad cold. I took some medicine and went back to bed for a few more hours. I was still sniffling and sneezing when I got up, but by the next day it was gone. I call that close to a Christmas miracle.

Some of you know I have done this in the past, but once again I am participating in the GardenWeb Quilt Forum Birthday Block Exchange. Two in the group have January birthdays so the first two blocks to be sent this year have already been mailed. Another craft group that I belong to has a 12 Days of Christmas Swap. We receive 12 individually wrapped packages early in December and begin opening one a day on Dec. 26th. It sure helps to extend the holiday and is lots of fun. The old way to celebrate Christmas did not end until the Epiphany (when the Three Wise Men gave gifts to Baby Jesus) so that is where the idea of the 12 Days of Christmas originated.

Goals for this year: Lose weight (ha, ha, that is always on the list). To complete more of my UFO's and to find a new horse that I will love forever. It has been a difficult and long search. Hopefully at some point I will post a picture of a horse here and you will know that I found the perfect one. I thought I was at that point before Christmas, but went for a final ride on that horse and she spooked and I ended up on the ground and she ended up coming off the list.

Enjoy time with your family and friends. Both are so important to us.



It's Beginning to Look a Little Like Christmas

Yes, I'm sure many of us feel the same way - too much to do in December! It has been warm here so it makes you feel like there must be two more months before Christmas gets here. Yesterday we finally brought down the boxes from the attic so we could start decorating and our tree is 75% decorated! I'm also working on writing Christmas cards, shopping for gifts, and the holiday parties begin tomorrow.

Did I comment earlier than I am shopping for a horse? I probably did. Anyway, that has been taking up a lot of my free time. It has been hard to find one that is as short as I like and as safe as I like, but I'm getting there. It sure would be nice if Santa could arrange for there to be a horse here for Christmas Day, but if he can't fit a horse in his pack, I understand and I'm sure one will be here by Spring.

Anyway, I stopped in to say if you are not quite there with your Christmas preparations, don't worry I am right there with you! Keep plugging away and Christmas will come if we are ready or not.

I Love Feedback

What is it about us that we all love feedback. Here at my blog, please feel welcome to leave a comment. I love to hear from you!

I try not to spend an unreasonable amount of time talking about my Etsy shop, but you'll see the listing of my items over to the right side and please come by to visit my shop. I have been adding vintage Christmas ornaments recently. Aren't these pretty? Someday I would like to decorate a small tree primarily in pink. Wouldn't that be great?

Anyway, I'll get back to the topic of feedback. I have been so thankful that many buyers have left positive feedback for my Etsy shop which is named The Sandlapper Shop. (On Etsy, just leave out all the spaces and you'll get there.) Out of 32 sales, I have 26 people who left feedback which is a very high percentage and I thank each one of them. When you buy from someone and like the service or the product, be sure to let them know.

Here are some of the great comments I have received:

"Thanks, you are the best seller I have ever encountered on Etsy!"

"A faultless & excellent service."

"Thank you for a smooth buy and FAST shipping."

"You handled the transaction exactly how I would like to if I were a seller."

"Awe, packaged so cute and a quick send... many thanks."

"Probably my favorite Etsy purchase in some time."

"Just the best!!! Love this shop."

Keep in mind that many Etsy sellers (my shop included) gift wrap most things that they sell at no charge and the items can usually be shipped to a recipient with a card indicating who sent it as a gift which saves you from re-mailing it. I have started doing some of my Christmas shopping there as well as shopping for birthdays, etc.

Speaking of which, Thanksgiving is almost here and right after that we get very busy getting ready for Santa's big day. I always say I will shop early and I do have a few things purchased and one box mailed because it has to go all the way to Australia, but I know there are many busy days ahead.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving with family or friends. If you are traveling, have a safe journey.