I’m finally creating a step-by-step tutorial for my hussif sewing kit project. Since sharing about my first hussif sewing kit (more than 3 years ago!), I have made at least five kits, all with slightly different design details, functions, and sizes. One of the most fun kits to make was the tiniest sewing roll I could come up with, measuring a scant 2.5″ wide. It barely fit a pair of folding scissors, a couple of lengths of thread, and a needle, but it was perfect for carrying in a purse. Other sewing kits were larger and served other purposes, like embroidery or quilting, and differed in pocket size and number…
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Vanilla Greek Yogurt Overnight Oats
My current go-to healthy breakfast has got to be this delicious Greek yogurt overnight oats recipe. Until recently, I had been skeptical of overnight oats – I didn’t love the texture, and the flavor was bland. It wasn’t until I had the most delicious bowl of overnight oats with yogurt and blueberries while on vacation that I was finally ready to jump on the overnight oats bandwagon. I was inspired to create my own version! Easy Overnight Oats Recipe with Greek Yogurt Using Greek yogurt as the base in my overnight oats recipe has been a game-changer. The texture becomes more akin to a parfait and has a beautiful creamy…
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Spring Is Here…Finally
Isn’t it funny how sneaky life lessons will creep in when you least expect them? Those that tend a garden space know that springtime is particularly rich with these little gems. As a transitional time between the more defined “winter” and “summer” seasons, spring is changeable by its very nature, one day rainy and cool and the next bright with sunshine and warmth. And every year is different, too. To expect every spring to be the same is silly, and I’m not sure why it surprises me every year to find it cooler, warmer, or wetter than the year before. It seems every year, I must learn the lessons of…
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Book Wish List & Gift Guide 2021
I am a book person. I love them. I love to read them, reread them, and see my bookshelves lined with them. I love to receive them and give them as gifts. So I thought I’d share my book wish list and the books I am giving as gifts this year. When I make my book wish list for Christmas, I focus on titles that are newer, more obscure, or more expensive—ones I am not likely to find in my usual haunts (thrift stores and secondhand shops) or purchase for myself. Once my list is complete, I drop not-so-subtle hints to my husband that he should check the Amazon cart…
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Embroidery Thread Organization
I can’t claim any particular embroidery thread organization genius or hack that will change your life. But there’s something immensely satisfying in taking something that is a mess and organizing it. I’m not a particularly organized or tidy person, but even I find that creating order out of chaos, however simple or small the project may be, is rewarding and comforting. This is especially true when there is disorder in other areas of my life. So I hope this post will give you a hint of inspiration and a little motivation to tackle one of your own organization projects. Before & After Embroidery Thread Organization Boy, what a mess! I…
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Later ~ Better Known as Never
I have to laugh at myself. This post heading was in my journal for almost two months without a single word written. A few paragraphs and a few months later, I decided it was time to buckle down and finish. But as usual, life got busy, and I set it aside. This post has been about 6 months in the making! In the case of this post, my “later” didn’t turn into a “never”, but like most of us, I constantly battle procrastination and the guilt that can come with it. But recently, I’ve been adjusting the way I think about procrastination. The Art of Procrastination Sometimes it feels like…
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Chopped Caprese Salad
I love a good salad. But I’ll admit to being a little particular about them. I want each bite to have all the flavors of every tasty thing in my salad. While sliced and deconstructed salads may look beautiful, I kind of hate them because it means more work for me. I have to cut all the components up, trying not to look like a crazy person in the process. That’s where the chopped version of this classic tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella salad comes in. Quick & Easy Salads I love a quick and easy recipe, especially a side dish or salad. I have to laugh at myself because,…
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Mentors I’ve Never Met
Mentors are amazing. These people influence our lives and change our perspectives. They take the time to teach, advise, counsel, and train—what a gigantic blessing. I can think of many people throughout my life that I would consider mentors. There’s Florence, the wonderfully patient 96 year old woman who taught me how to knit, or Margueritte, one of my first bosses when I went back into the work world after years as a stay at home mom. She taught me about “rechoosing” rather than changing your mind. Mentors & Teachers of the Digital Age In this digital age, we are lucky enough to choose mentors from various people who share…
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Elegant Economy ~ How to Live Well on Less
I would be remiss in my journey of learning contentment if I didn’t talk about finances. All those words that spring to mind—saving money, frugal living, economical, simple living, thrifty, budgeting—some are decidedly more appealing than others. But the most charming expression for dealing with this topic comes from a favorite book, Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell. The term, “elegant economy” is described by the narrator as something practiced with fervor by the genteel middle aged widows & spinsters living in a sleepy little village in the middle of the 19th century. The story glides gently along, but the daily lives and wonderfully vivid personalities and quirks of these worthy women…
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How to Use Skittles in Everyday Communication
Let’s have a little fun and look at how skittles can add a little pizazz to everyday language. Because I often struggle to articulate the swirling mass of thoughts tangled up inside my brain, I am constantly looking for ways to help me express myself. Connections and pictures pop into my head and they provide clarity as well as immense enjoyment. So I thought I’d share one of these connections/pictures that I’ve been having fun with lately. Here are 3 ways to use Skittles in everyday conversation. “How are you doing? Fine, and you?” I’m starting with my favorite way to use skittles in conversation. Because I work from home…
