It's his 3rd Anniversary!

This is our dog, Murphy.....




About three years ago (after losing our dog of 13 years) we went here looking for a dog to foster to help fill a sad space in our family. We took Murphy home with us as a project dog and were to work with him and get him ready to be adoptable. After just a few weeks, we decided that there was NO WAY that we would let him go and it has been the best decision ever!

He is a 3 1/2 year old Tri-Color Australian Shepherd and smart as a whip!!

Happy Anniversary Mr. Murphy! You have been the best son and brother, ever.

Lovc,

Dad, Mom, Jessica and Sara

OUCH!!! My head hurts!!

Too much studying!!

I am on the chapter about muscles and my poor brain (what is left of it) can't take anymore!
I decided to play a little hooky from "online school" and come over here for some fun.

I got my online newsletter from the quiliting guild that I belong to (Delta Quilters). They are going to make some quilts and give them to Veterans. They are calling them "Quilts of Valor" and the goal is to wrap as many war veterans in quilts as we can. We are to make various star blocks in the colors of red, white and blue. Each block is supposed to be 12 inches. The woman putting this together told us to go to this website to pick the one that we want and they will supply the fabrics. Have you seen this website before? Just about every block that you can think of and AWESOME directions too! I am giving consideration to the one called "Rising Star."

Sorry no pics today.....my husband is the techie in the house and I need him to download my pics. Should be this weekend.

So until then, have a GREAT day and thanks so much for stopping by!!

Melody

Like my new background?

Found this wonderful website when I was lurking at Monkeybox. If you are looking for a really beautiful background for you blog, you might want to check it out.


Speaking of finding something.....

Have you seen this magazine in your store yet? If you like her show then you will LOVE her magazine. She has some very good ideas. The magazine above is her premier issue and I am hoping that they keep up with the same format. Very few ads, LOTS of great recipes and the pictures are beautiful. And it is not only recipes - crafts, 'tablescapes" and other great bits of info. I originaly bought the magazine because she demonstrated a recipe on the "Today" show for a Burrito Casserole that looked super easy and tasty and loved everything else that I saw.

Here is the Burrito Casserole

1 (32 Ounce) pkg beed and bean burritos
1 (14 ounce) can mild enchilada sauce
1 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
1 1/2 cups diced tomato
4 cups shredded iceberg lettuce

Line burritos in a single layer in a 13 X 9 microwave dish and microwave on high for 6-8 mins or until heated through.

Pour enchilada sauce over the burritos. Sprinkle cheese over enchilada sauce. Microwave for 1 - 2 mins or until cheese is melted. Spread olives, tomatoes and lettuce evenly over burritos. Serve immediately.

Makes 6-8 servings

What a super easy meal to make when you are short on time or don't want to heat up the house during the warmer months.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Melody

A Berry Spring-y-Quilt

While everything downstairs of my my home was decorated in Christmas colors, I was in a whole other season upstairs in my sewing room. Don't get me wrong, I do like Christmas and everything that Christmas is about BUT I love Spring and Summer colors. I guess that means that sometime in July or August you will see a posting of a Fall colored quilt, Huh? I am so predictable!!

When I was putting this quilt together, I wanted to do something with all the scraps that I have been saving. I was shooting for something vintage and traditional looking. The stawberry fabric was left over from an apron and the green and white gingham was left over from the summer type quilt that is posted below this one. As was going through my "5,500 Quilt Block Designs" book by Maggie Malone (LOVE that name!) this one caught my eye. I forgot the block name (The star shaped one).

I really enjoy using my scraps. I feel that it makes my hobbie a little more affordable. It really gets the wheels turing when I look at them and try to figure out something interesting to do with them.

Currently, I am working on a quilt designed by Eleanor Burns called "Tossed Nine Patch" and I am using scraps from past quilts, pajamas that I made for my girls, a dress that my younges wore when she was a toddler and a pair of children's pants that I bought at the local flea market for 10 cents!!

I will post the pattern and my WIP. I have been having so much fun making this and learing how to assembly-line sew Eleanor's way.

Well, I am currently studying about bones, skin and muscels in my Anatomy class. The teacher wants us to memorize the 206 bones in the body....wish me luck on that!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Melody

Fun Summer-Type quilt

Here is my latest project! I started working on this back in the fall of 2008. I was starting to get a little tired of the ususal fall colors (I know, hard to believe!) and was hungry for something bright, warm and happy.

I just got the backing on it and at this VERY moment I am adding my binding. I am not sure if this will be a wall hanging or maybe a coverlet for a twin bed.

I learned something while I was doing this quilt that was suggested to me at one of my quilt guild meetings.

I was commenting to the President that I would LOVE,LOVE, LOVE to learn how to stipple my quilt but have no idea how. I also mentioned that I am using just a plain old ordinary garden-variety machine that does not have a wide throat for turning quilts while quilting the layers. She mentioned to me that I should roll it up "jelly-roll" style and the only part that is flat is that part that I am working on.

Wouldn't you know it....IT WORKS WONDERS!!!!

I know, you are probably thinking, DUH!! You just now found that out? Yep and I am even brave enough to admit it too. Hee hee!!

What works for you? What do you do so that you can quilt yours?

Would love to know what works for everyone.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Melody

Something YUMMY to try!!

Pecan Carmel Candies - SOOO easy and very tasty too.

63 minature Pretzels
1 pkg (13 ounces) of Rolo Candies
63 Pecan Halves

Line baking sheet with foil. Place pretzels on foil. Top each prezel with a candy. Bake at 250 for 4-7 minutes or until cadies are softened (candies will retain their shape). Immediately place a pecan half on each candy and press down so that the candy fills the pretzel. Cool slightly. Refrigerate for 10 mins or until set. Makes 63 candies**

Okay, when I made this, I noticed that my bag did not have 63 Rolos and I only ate 2 before I started making this. Soooooo, if your bag does not have 63 rolos, you will not have 63 candies. Just wanted to clear that up!

Anyway, these barely had time to come out of the Fridge before most of them were gobbled up by the family. I guess that would mean that they are kinda good, Huh?

Well, I am still hitting the books. Anatomy/Physiology is hard (who knew) but the other class that I am taking (Cancer Information Mgmt) is rather dry and slightly boring. Just CAN'T get into it.

Anybody in this field that can enlighten me?

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!!

Melody

Sorry to be gone for so long!!!

I'm sorry I been away for so long!! Seems like after I got back from vacation that life hit the fast track and did't stop until now.

So what is new with me? Still sewing, quilting and cooking BUT I have added a new diminson to my life - STUDENT!! Yes, I am going to get myself edjumacated, hee hee!

This spring I enrolled into Santa Barbara City College. I am taking Anatomy & Physiology and a class in CIM (Cancer Information Management). No, I do not live anywhere near Santa Barbara but that is okay because guess what? It is all ONLINE!!! I love it!! No more fighting for a parking spot, no more parking permits, no more rushing (and being late) to class or trying to get a decent seat in class!! This is so cool!!

Another thing that I did recently was join a Quilting Guild that is located in Antioch, California. I always thought that to join a guild, you had to have several hundred quilts under your belt and could sew a nine-patch with your eyes closed. Not true at all! They are an awesome bunch of women at all levels of quilting. I can see myself fitting into this group very well. I will have to post some of my projects. There is a wealth of info in this group!!

Well, I have some studying of connective tissue to do so I need to run.

Until next time.....

Melody