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10 COMMANDMENTS FOR REDUCING STRESS IN YOUR LIFE

1. Thou Shalt Not Be Perfect, ...Or Even Try To Be
2. Thou Shalt Not Try To Be All Things To All People.
3. Thou Shalt Sometimes Leave Things Undone That Ought To Be Done.
4. Thou Shalt Not Spread Thyself Too Thinly.
5. Thou Shalt Learn To Say No.
6. Thou Shalt Schedule Time For Thyself And Thy Supportive Network.
7. Thou Shalt Switch Off And Do Nothing Regularly.
8. Thou Shalt Be Boring, Untidy, Inelegant, and Unattractive At Times.
9. Thou Shalt Not Even Feel Guilty.
10. Especially, Thou Shalt Not Be Thine Own Worst Enemy But Be Thine Own Best Friend.

~Unknown

My Life With Martha Stewart

Whether you love or hate Martha, you have to give her credit for giving so much to all of us domestic goddesses. Around twenty-ish years ago, I first met Martha (on television, of course) as she was giving outdoor dining ideas on some show, some where, and I still, to this day, use pretty hand towels for napkins when serving BBQ and for the occasional Cajun Boil.
I cannot make a pie without her recipe for Pate Brisee (pie crust) recipe. Follow the directions and you'll never be disappointed. http://www.marthastewart.com/284143/pate-brisee
I learned that some of the simplest ideas are the most elegant.
I love the fact that she displays her collections proudly. Makes me want to go troll the flea markets and garage sales and start my own, although I have enough.
I have made soap with her, love the French milled block. http://www.marthastewart.com/269933/savon-de-marseille
I have made vanilla extract with her, perfect gifts. Make in June/ July for Christmas, that stuff has to age! http://www.marthastewart.com/256342/homemade-vanilla-extract
One of my favorite memories from years ago, PP (pre-problems), was when I was laughed at, yes, laughed at when I asked the local garden supply for heather like what Martha Stewart had on her show. I did find some years later. I guess Martha and I are just too far ahead of the trends!
I crocheted her "Coming Home" poncho, it's big and heavy and like a winter coat. http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/chsscallopEdgePoncho.html?noImages=
Anyway, thanks for strolling down Martha Memory Lane and I would love to hear your Martha Memories!

Easy Hot Pads to Work Up on Hot Summer Days

Hot pads, pot holders, whatever you want to call them are super simple to make and this is a super easy project! Great hostess gifts to take to take to your next cookout! 

Use 3 colors of 100% cotton yarn, I use Sugar 'n Cream (acrylics will melt, not good!), size K crochet hook.

Pattern:

With 3 strands held together, chain 17.

Row 1: Single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain across (16 sc). Chain 1, turn.

Row 2: Single crochet in each sc across. Chain 1, turn. Repeat Row 2 till square, 16 rows. 

Finish: Chain 8 (for loop) slip stitch in end stitch. Tie off and work in ends.

Have fun with the colors! The variegated work up pretty also, so don't be scared to try! ENJOY!

Hot New Look!

Woo Hoo! Thank you Jessica! I love the new blog design! You are amazing! 
Hello everyone! It's been soooo long since I posted anything, and do you know why? Because I didn't like the look of my blog and I didn't want anyone to see it! But, no more! The niece of a very dear friend of mine worked her magic and now I have a blog to be proud of! Check her out for a great, professional blog!  http://www.diamonddolldesign.com/

Ponder and Laugh!

Received this in an email from my sister. Hope it adds a smile to your day!

Some examples we've seen before and some new ones:
*I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

*Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

*I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.

*Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

*If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.

*We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

*War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

*To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

*A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

*How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

*Some people are like Slinkies ... not really good for anything, but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.

*Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

*I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks.

*Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says "If an emergency, notify:" I put "DOCTOR".

*I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

*I saw a woman wearing a sweat shirt with "Guess" on it...so I  said "Implants?" 

Why the Evil Eye?

I was educated on the power of the "Evil Eye" from a dear Greek friend of mine. Leary at first, I started wearing a bracelet she gave me, and for some reason a comfort came over me when I'm out in public. Now, I never leave the house without an evil eye charm. Here is a condensed version of articles I found online:

The evil eye is a look believed by many cultures to be able to cause injury or bad luck on the person at whom it is directed for reasons of envy  or dislike. Attempts to ward off the curse of the evil eye has resulted in a number of talismans in many cultures. Disks or balls, consisting of concentric blue and white circles, the staring eyes are supposed to bend the malicious gaze back to the sorcerer, meaning that they turn away or turn back harm.

 I'm a believer!

Spring Flowers!

Hello Spring! I've gone crazy making these little spring flowers:

So crazy that I want to share the pattern with you! This is a great way to use up your scrap crochet thread and yarns (pictured is cotton crochet thread). Super simple, if I missed a step, please let me know!

Simple Flower:
First color: Chain 6, join to form a ring. Chain 4 and single crochet in ring. Make 6, chain 4  loops, fasten off.
Second color: Tie on to any loop. Chain 4, triple crochet in same loop 3 times, chain 4, slip stitch in loop. first petal made. Slip stitch in next loop and repeat around for 6 petals total.

This is my first attempt at writing a pattern so please let me know if it doesn't work!