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Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Greenhouse Gardening and Gratefulness


This is a volunteer that has taken over the tomato cages, for now. Getting a good look at the letter G for the A to Z Challenge. 
#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter G

Each year I engage in greenhouse gardening. Last year, so many seeds germinated that I gave away starts at work, AND put some at the end of our road with a ๐Ÿ†“ sign. This year, I planted the seeds in a different pattern. Corn is on the outer borders, with climbers like cantalope, nearby. I then packed it with peas, radish, kale, lettuce, tomato, and mammoth dill. Here is the image of the newly-planted seeds. 


Two carry overs are asparagus and garlic chives. All non-edible plants like flowers were removed from the greenhouse. I figure we have the structure, we should make good use of it. The next logical step will be to can the summer's bounty. I will have more to report as we move into the summer months. The image below was taken a few days ago, a bounty of seedlings in one of the beds. 

Am I worried about our food future? We have the politicos flexing their muscles and pushing into new territories. Many of America's foods come from Mexico. During lockdown we saw supply chain disruption. All of the world powers are investing in armaments. Be like a Boy Scout - Be Prepared. Fresh fruit and vegetable shortages are a possibility. 

The biggest predator to my greenhouse - raccoons.๐ŸฆAnother reason why we don't have chickens, because of the raccoons. But if eggs continue to edge up in price, we might have to calculate the cost of renovating the chicken coop. 

On the subject of gratefulness - the basic theme of the A to Z Challenge. My partner and I are grateful we have made it to the age where we can enjoy our retirement. It is something we wonder at every day, that we are "comfortable." But that is not without some sacrifices made throughout our lives. 

Moving along in the challenge, the H letter day is about habits and horseback riding. 

Monday, April 7, 2025

Flowers and Friends

Pattern of the Day - 1995 Flowers of Friendship Angel.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/187098761885

My front flower garden full of spring blossoms.  


#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter F

A to Z challenge F letter day f eatures flowers and my online friends. These friends are participating in the A to Z Challenge. 

First up is an old friend Anne M. Bray. Her blog featured this year is Pattern Recognition with the specialty of Fluevogs on Repeat.

Newfound friends I have discovered through the A to Z Spreadsheet is Marina at theboxofcolors highlighting her artwork. 

And another Lissa at postcardsfromthebookstore hosting an audience-lead non-theme. 

A delightful find of Jane Turley a British gal at The Witty Ways of a Wayward Woman.

Finally, I found Rhondi at yagottalaughaboutit a good-natured Canadian. 

๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’ฎ

G letter day for the A to Z Challenge is Greenhouse Gardening and Gratefulness. 

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Eggs and Eugenia Cooney


#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter E

A to Z Challenge day is all about the letter E. For those who live outside of the United States, we have been having an egg crisis. Prices have risen and there was a bird flu. We consume a lot of eggs. Just the two of us consume an 18 count carton each week.  

On the subject of Eugenia Cooney - she is a much-loved fashion influencer who is ultra skinny. Too skinny to be healthy. I have read she is taking a much-needed rest from social platforms to gain her strength and health. 


I adore her outfits, her sweet personality, and always upbeat postings. Wishing her all the best and await her return to the World Wide Web. 

As an aside, I recommend E*Trade and eBay. I have been a member of both for over 20 years. E*Trade is a online brokerage where one can invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. eBay is where I sell all of the extraordinary stuff I find at thrift.

A to Z Challenge letter F features flowers and friends. 

Friday, April 4, 2025

Drawing and Composition I

#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter D

A to Z challenge D letter day is about my current college class. This sphere was our latest assignment in charcoal. I had never worked with charcoal before. The image below was experimenting with charcoal. 

Our mid-term is a series of small studies on a jumble of a still life provided by the professor. The class was pretty much in agreement on the one study I had chosen to use as the final. 


The image above is an arrangement provided by our professor. I am currently working on the drawing for this mid-term assignment.  

My next class up is Design Fundamentals. I have found an 8-week online class. My perfect format, especially in the fall so the class doesn't extend into the November/December holiday season. 

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Crochet and Church Rummage Sales

While I do not crochet, I do sell crocheted pieces on eBay. Here are a couple of cute pieces from the 1985 Carry-Along Crochet publication. First up, Bert and Ernie - even more adorable in crochet. Representing the letter C for the A to Z Challenge. 


Loopy puppy from that same book. 

#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter C

These burgundy beauties were just listed. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187108524940

Church rummage sales are the best. The pricing is the best. There are many surprises to be found. 

This one was held last month at the St. Katharine Drexel Parish. I made it to half off second day, best buy a box of Diane China for $2.50. We are collecting China plates at thrift for my daughter's wedding this fall. Other than that I picked up a few books, and a skosh of fabric.
๐Ÿฝ

A to Z challenge letter D is about art - Drawing and Composition. 

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

All Things Bridal


#AtoZChallenge 2025 badge B

A to Z Challenge B letter day is Bridal! ๐Ÿ‘ฐMy daughter is getting married in the fall and I get to experience all things bridal. The lead-off image is a thrift shop pattern from 1966. The next pattern of the day is from 1969. 

I never knew there were so many parties and get togethers. First, there was the engagement party. Then we had the wedding gown tryon with the bride, moms, and maid of honor. Upcoming is the bridal party with just the moms, and females of the bridal party. Another get together is the ravioli-making party for the wedding. They might fit in a bachelor and bachelorette party. I bet there will be the pre-wedding party at the site since we are all spending the night after rehearsal. 

The following is a succession of wedding Barbies with a Midge thrown in for good measure. 


1966 Wedding Barbie

1960s Wedding Midge

If you have a daughter in your life that wants to have a big wedding, enjoy every planning and preparation minute of it! 

AtoZ Challenge letter day C is about crochet and church rummage sales. 

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

A to Z April Challenge 2025 Apron



#AtoZChallenge 2025 badge A

The A to Z Apron! Day 1 starts off with the annual Apron. This one is thrifted pink polka dot one with a Domestic Diva pocket. I collect these thrifted beauties for a my comedy homemaking series on whatever format replaces Tik Tok.๐Ÿ˜œOr like most unique items, I collect them for awhile and then list them for sale. Underneath that apron is yes yet another thrifted ball gown. 

I deemed this first day of the challenge as Apron Day a few years ago, below are those links.

2021/04/AtoZ-Apron

2022/04/AtoZ-Apron

A year of the apron patterns.  

2018/04/AtoZ - Apron

When you are wearing the Apron, you must make Apple Crisp! ๐Ÿ This recipe from Mary Meade's Country Cookbook (1993)

Apple Crisp

6 cups sliced cooking apples (about 6 medium)
3/4 cup flour
3/4 brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup butter

Place sliced apples in buttered baking dish. Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender. Servc with whipped or ice cream. 

๐ŸŽ

Ending with a video on Arts for Everybody. 


The upcoming B letter day is All Things Bridal. 

Because I am an eBay sewing pattern seller, there might be a few Pattern of the Day featured.