Garden news

The Yellow Fire Bidens bloomed! I would agree with the tag description that it is indeed a "small, but largely cheerful" flower!
And the pink star jasmine on the right started opening, too, despite a good knocking about from the rain last night (you can still see the raindrops)

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Songs

Bryan Adams, "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" 4:29
iTunes, Waking Up The Neighbors

Steely Dan, "My Old School" 5:48
A Decade of Steely Dan

Cool down song: Fleetwood Mac, "The Chain" 4:28
The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac

Today's stats: 3.11 miles, 53 minutes, 360 calories. Serious penance for Peanut Butter Cup Pie (recipe to be posted)...but oh so worth the sin!

Burda WOF - WTHRU?

Missing -- Burda WOF (World of Fashion) February and March!

I called GLP this morning just to make sure my subscription hadn't expired (it hadn't) because I had not received the February or March issues. She said March was mailed March 1, and it can take up to three weeks. February very well could show up today (it didn't), but since they didn't have any left, they would credit me an issue. I told her when/if it did, I would let her know and to remove the credit. Don't want bad sewing karma! Of course, the February issue is probably the Best One Ever! Admit it, (I will) some issues are better than others.

She said for some reason, deliveries to Texas are problematic. . .

Fat Trans-fer

While I can applaud the efforts of the Girl Scout cookie bakers to
remove the trans fats from the cookies, they seemed to have upped the total and saturated fat numbers as a result!

Thin Mints -- Serving size 4 cookies (right, who hasn't stuck/stored these in the freezer and then ate the whole sleeve?!), calories 160, carbs 22g, total fat 8g, saturated fat 6g. But hey, 6% of your iron requirement!

Peanut Butter Patties (also known as Tag-a-longs) -- Serving size 2 (extreme willpower needed!), calories 160, carbs 17g, total fat 9g, saturated fat 5g. Its redeeming quality - 1g of fiber!

Good thing Girl Scout Cookie Time is only once a year! Be kind to...and do good works with... your heart instead and donate the money directly to the Girl Scouts, or purchase the boxes to go to our soliders overseas or to local women's and other shelters. Contact your local Girl Scout Council for more information about these programs.

Today's Costco Find

Today's Costco bargain is a two pack of Hibiscus for $10.99! One is a double pink, the other single purple. I couldn't decide which one, so I bought both! I plan to put them along the side fence. If they get marked down further, I may go back and get the white ones. That would look really pretty!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Songs

Mason Williams, "Classical Gas" 2:36
iTunes, Music 1968-1971
Who doesn't want to learn to play this on the guitar?

Boston, "Can'tcha Say (You believe in me)(Still in Love)" 5:12
iTunes, Third Stage
Yesterday on XM, Channel 8 (80's), they were doing a repeat broadcast of Casey Kasem's American Top 40 for March 28, 1987. This was at the beginning of the show, so it could have been the chart debut.

Cool down: Rod Stewart, "You're In My Heart" 4:30
iTunes, The Story So Far: The Very Best of Rod Stewart

Today's stats: 50 minutes, 2.87 miles, 302 calories
(The Daylight Savings Time switch really kicked my butt)

Front Early Spring Garden Tour

Upgrade for the front garden. But first we pause for a good soaking -- for both the dirt and the Texas Mockingbird! We haven't had rain for several days and there was literally a flight pattern of birds (Cardinals, sparrows, too) lined up to take a shower!







Above right - These are Indian Paintbrushes (Castilleja). A first this year. I was too late for the bluebonnets and these actually have a better chance of naturalizing and returning next year.


This is probably the most unusual plant I've brought home so far - Tangerine Bulbine (Bulbine Flavescens 'Tangerine') It comes in yellow and tangerine. The tangerine version is supposed to be able to take the summer heat and the yellow prefers the spring.

Daisies! (Lencanthemum) The "Darling Daisy" tm brand How could I refuse and with a name like that!

Another new find for this year -- "Superbells Peach" Petunia (Calibrachoa hybrid). Supposedly the smaller the blooms, the more likely to be able to take the heat. It was next to the VIP Petunia and I had good luck with them before. I thought this coloration was beautiful.

A new Salvia (Microphylla) called "Hot Lips" (right) According to the plastic stake, it is pink, edged with red! I've had good luck with salvias before - "Cherry Blossom" has reseeded and naturalized from a purchase about 7 years ago. What a trooper! And it just started blooming again...

Here's another give it-a-chance -- Bidens Yellow Fire (Bidens Ferulifolia) The description said, "Small, but largely cheerful deep yellow flowers"

Also planted some repeat winners -- "Hawaii Blue" Ageratum (they usually stick around until June) and more Dianthus-"Diamond Coral" and "Dynasty Mix".

Sandra Betzina - Couture Cuisine!

Here's a blast from the past, circa 1989. If you want to try and find it, the ISBN is 0-9615614-3-2. It's a collection of favorite recipes and sewing tips from Sandra, co-author David Hill, and the likes of Shermane Fouche...Marcy Tilton...Naomi Baker...Clotilde...Mary Roehr...June Tailor...Eunice Farmer...Robbie Fanning...Donna Salyers...Kathy Ruddy...Margaret Islander...Tammy Young...Lois Ericson...Jan Saunders..Linda Griepentrog... A true 80's flashback to sewing's leading ladies!

This is one of the pages. It says "author unknown" You can click it to make it easier to read. Pretty good instructions, don't you think?

Time for another garden tour

A couple cooler nights last week didn't help these guys any. Fare-thee-well pink primrose. the photo actually makes it look better.

And you, heliotrope! This isn't a vanity shot. I've had to almost physically stop my husband from yanking you out. You better prove everyone wrong and come back. Please?!

These guys have adjusted well -- New leaves and buds!

The pink jasmine is getting closer to opening, bet next week!

The milkweed/buddelia -- means the monarchs will soon be here, too.

Our Bradford Pear tree. It's a male, so it will get a few blossoms, but with mostly leaves soon. The female trees are the ones that are totally white floral - gorgeous!

The beginnings of Club Fig, our Celeste Fig tree. We call it Club Fig because sometimes those figs over-ripen and ferment before we get a chance to pick them. Then the fun begins with drunk squirrels and birds!

Even from 10 feet away, you can smell the sweet fragrance! Which is about how far you need to be, because of all the bees! Look closely by the lower right flowers. Those are bees inside! Bzzzzz!

Chocolate Cheesecake Bars - Do I have your attention?!

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE BARS

¾ cup water
1/3 cup butter (no substitutes)
1 ½ squares Baker’s UNSWEETENED chocolate
2 cups flour
1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking SODA
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 egg white
½ cup reduced fat/low fat sour cream

Cream Cheese Mixture:
1 package reduced fat/Neufachel cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg white
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup (6 oz) milk chocolate or semi sweet chocolate chips (if you are a true chocoholic and buy in bulk, a couple handfuls should do it)

In small saucepan, combine the water, butter and chocolate. Cook and stir over LOW heat until melted. Stir until smooth and let cool.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Add egg, egg white and sour cream. Beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in chocolate mixture until smooth.

In another mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg white and vanilla. Set aside.

Spread chocolate batter into a 15”x10” pan, coated with nonstick cooking spray or Smart Balance or Crisco Trans Fat Free shortening. Drop the cream cheese mixture by tablespoonfuls (I use a teaspoon and plop all over, and spreading a little bit, not swirling. I want that cream cheese on top!). Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool. But they taste great slightly warm. Yield about 4 dozen (yeah, right. Cut yourself a 2”x2” piece and just be done with it.). You can also wrap and freeze these, too.

Source: Taste of Home Best Light Recipes, 2006, page 128

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Songs

Bob Welch, "Ebony Eyes' 3:32
Absolutely the Best of Classic Rock

I should call this "Allergy Eyes" today. When the weatherman says "Tree Pollen Extremely Heavy" believe him and don't believe that any amount of protective nose spray and eye drops can defend that pollen onslaught! I cross my index fingers in an X when I drive by those *$#@^& Redbud trees...

Thompson Twins, "Lay Your Hands on Me" 4:04
Thompson Twins: Greatest Hits
Good beat for a "keep on going!" song around a lagging Lap 10...

Cool down:
Fleetwood Mac, "Everywhere" 3:41
The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac
Pollen...pollen...pollen...

Today's stats: Looky! -- 55 minutes, 3.25 miles, 364 calories
Perhaps there is something to be said for the drops and spray.

Hey Quilt Girl!

I've been getting emails -- "Peggy, you talk the talk, but have you actually ever made a quilt?" Yes, I have, but I gave them away. "Ha!," you say. But seriously, they went to St. Jude's in Memphis, Tennessee and to Houston for the Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

To the above left are the St. Jude quilts our ASG Neighborhood Group made. Mine is out of camera range (true!), I was standing in the street to take the photo as it was. But on the right is one of my Katrina quilts. I was hoping it would go to a child, hence the 'Scooby Doo" and "Lion King" prints. Note the Texas flag print in the center. (If you like, you can read my quilting stories for PatternReview.com by clicking here for St. Jude's and here for Katrina)

Since I was and still am a quilting beginner's beginner, I used Kaye Wood's 6 Hour Quilt book-let. People, if I can do this, anyone can! Several years ago at the Houston International Quilt Festival, Kaye had an area where people could take a break, sit and serge strips for the Love Connection charity quilts, using her method. Even if you had never quilted, or sewed for that matter, this was easy and simple enough to do. When I originally bought the book, I thought it would make a nice Christmas gift in holiday fabrics or out of denim (the legs). I still do...! ;-)

Quilts for Soldiers - Part 2

Yet another for making quilts for our soldiers -- Read this from the Washington Post National Weekly Edition - February 12/18, 2007.

Here is Catherine Roberts' website which has information on making these comfort quilts --
http://www.qovf.org

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Songs

Billy Squier, "Rock Me Tonight " 4:56
iTunes, Absolute Hits

Beyonce', "Crazy in Love" 3:55
iTunes

Cool down:

James Taylor, "Sweet Baby James" 2:53
The Best of James Taylor

Today's stats: 50 minutes, 3.03 miles, 334 calories (still atoning for that birthday cake!)

Quilts for Soldiers - Part 1

Did you see last night's CBS Evening News and Cynthia Bowers' report about a woman making jeans quilts for the wounded soldiers? If not, here's the link -- http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/07/eveningnews/main2545059.shtml?source=search_story

In a gist, she now has plenty of donated blue jeans to make the quilts, but could sure use quilting supplies (low loft crib size, machine quilting thread in blue or any color) and money for postage. A quilt out of denim/jeans can be heavy so I'm sure postage is $$$. I mailed a check to her today.

Andrea Holldorf
P.O. Box 258
408 Jefferson
Grant, IA 50847

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Songs

A good beat to keep you going for late middle laps --(hey, almost flower theme!)

Roxette, "Fading Like a Flower" 3:53
iTunes, A Collection of Roxette Hits

The Foundations, "Build Me Up Buttercup" 3:00
iTunes, The Very Best of the Foundations

Cool down song:
REO Speedwagon, "In My Dreams" 4:30
iTunes, REO Speedwagon, The Hits

Today's stats: 50 minutes, 3.03 miles, 334 calories

Poser!

Sometimes even reading about yoga can do a body good.

And I know my twice weekly attempts, er, classes, can do a body good, too. Yesterday's class was another "It's fun to be me!" episode as I fell out of poses and lost my balance several times with reverse triangles and one armed/one legged Downward Dogs. Oh well, I did feel great afterwards (the class was over!). No, seriously though. Yoga is a powerful workout. And even if it is an "All Levels" class, you just do the best you can and keep trying.

Ranking these yoga mags -- 1) Yoga Life by Rodale. I like their fun style, a la their snarky Women's Health magazine....2) Fit Yoga. Easy to flip and read...3) Yoga Journal - this is like the Martha Stewart Living/Oprah of the yoga magazines. Lots of information, lots of pages, but lots of ads, too. Takes time to digest and read, just like MSL and O.

Have a heart, Walter Reed

Here's hoping the Heart-2-Heart postcard project brightened some of those poor soldiers' rooms and lives. This is terrible!

More Follow-up/Fall-Out re Wal-Mart Fabric Departments

From the Houston Chronicle - http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/4607764.html

Do you think all this publicity will make a difference? Or will Wal-Mart pull back only to strike again later?

Cat's Back - Part 2!

Pre happy birthday to me --

Found today at Costco. A boxed set of 6 Cat Stevens remastered CD's -- Tea for the Tillerman...Teaser and the Firecat...Mona Bone Jakon...Catch Bull at Four...Buddha and the Chocolate Box...Foreigner. By the time I could even find, more or less buy these, it would be way more than $49.99. I know, ouch, but it's CAT! (Pre Yusuf) And where can you find a CD for $8.33?

I also saw collections of Eric Clapton and others, too. But I only had eyes for this and him!

Fabric Rant

I gave up on the raincoat. Not because I couldn't get the fit or style down...it was the fabric! The trial and stash fabrics were just wrong - too limp, too stiff, too --- whatever. And if we found something close enough at the fabric stores, it would cost more than buying one. And honestly, I was getting a little tired and discouraged by Raincoat Round 4.

We went to Target and were ready to buy a raincoat for $35. But then clever L found a Gilligan & O'Malley bathrobe! But doesn't look bathrobe-y at all, it's above-the-knee length, has a tie belt with a rectangular belt loop in the back instead of the typical thread ones on the side. It looks just like a stylish raincoat you'd see in the magazines. I'll sew some buttons on the back like a martingale thereby securing the belt, and add some to the front to look like a double-breasted closure! For a "costume" that will only be worn for 10 minutes for the dance and since she'll be in the back (she's not a premier dancer, they get put in the front), we got out for less than $20! I spent that much plus on the patterns and cheapy fabric, with nothing to show for it, sad to say. This is probably why quilters, scrapbookers and knitters/crocheters are taking over the hobby world. There's always plenty of supplies available for them!

Fashionable sewing fabrics that make sewing worthwhile are like needles in the haystack. Something like this should have been so easy to make and turn out -- with the right fabric it would have! Sigh.

Brace yourself!

2:45 PM
3:45 PM

Wal-Mart Fabric

Wal-Mart has been threatening to close their fabric department for years. But maybe now they mean it? (click to read this article)

I used to find some really cool $1/yard fabrics. But that was in years past, not recently. These are from last year. . .

Check out that Marilyn Monroe fabric - it's a poly knit! I always thought the regular and rural Wal-Marts had the better and bigger fabric departments than the Super Wal-Marts. And there were even those therein which were better than the others, depending upon the department manager and sheer luck. The neighborhood went really, really downhill at the most successful hunting ground one I used to go to. My husband didn't want me going there; even in the daylight there were parking lot altercations. Though stupidly I did chance it a few months ago by myself and found nothing. It's off of my list now for good, don't worry! No $1/yard fabric is worth it.

Perhaps Hobby-Lobby will step up to the plate? Every once in awhile you can find fashion fabrics there. But WM had it over HL because they were open 24/7, and in more -some better than others- locations.

This is such a pretty song!

It doesn't quite fit into the Workout playlists, it's too slow for even the cool downs. But it is under "Winter Songs," which is right before "Workout" on the Playlist listing. (Sometimes that clicker moves faster or slower than you expect.) Kismet that it started playing today.

Sarah McLachlan, "Song for a Winter's Night" from her Wintersong CD. You may have heard this while Christmas shopping. Or remember the original by Gordon Lightfoot, "Gord's Gold," (CD or album, back in the day!) which I like, too. She has such a pretty voice and this song hauntingly showcases it well.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Songs

Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Let Me Into Your Heart", 2:54

A Place in the World

Belinda Carlisle, "Summer Rain", 5:27

Greatest Hits

Now you almost thought I had a theme going! But this song is so catchy, you can't help but start singing the refrain. Which will certainly clear out the people on the treadmills next to you. Like today. Maybe they were almost done?!

Cool down song:

Guiffria, "Call To The Heart" 4:39

iTunes, Heart of Metal, Vol. 2

(METAL?! Such a pretty song, I'm not responsible for/nor have any idea what their other songs may have been. Or maybe this was their only hit, so they packed up their stuff and went home, changed their name...)

Today's stats: 50 minutes, 3.01 miles, 321 calories

Winter Wonderland

...and Halloween!

Jo-Ann's clearancing out their White 3300/4400 embroidery cards. I snagged these two for 60% off (with my 10% ASG card).

I already had "Fall," "Christmas" and "Rudolph," but these seem to go-with nicely. Fall is more generic while Halloween has some Great Pumpkin designs. And Winter Wonderland is more seasonal than Christmassy. Some of the designs would even be appropriate for Valentine's Day or a sweetheart any time of the year.

Netflix Stars - Stranger Than Fiction

"Stranger Than Fiction" with Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah, and those Sonic guys -- DH actually gave this 5 stars! Robust plots woven with skillful acting from both the principals and support characters...great ending tying it all together! Applause!

In the wings -- "Girl with the Pearl Earring" (still here)...along with "Man of the Year" with Robin Williams

$200 Patterns!

Thank goodness for the $3.99 Vogue pattern sale at Jo-Ann's yesterday and today! My actual cost with ASG discount and tax - $31.10. Does anyone truly pay the book value anymore? The Sandra Betzina's are $25 each and the designers are $27.50. The regular Vogue is $20 - Insane!! Even at 1/2 price, I still passed on them. But $3.99? That's a buy!

I got the three newest Sandra Betzina Today's Fit patterns -- Jacket 2949...Pants 2948...Tops 2945. I'm slightly OCD about her patterns, I have just about all of them. (including some of the Burdas and Buttericks). Even though they don't always photograph or take to the drawing well, and Sandra is the first to admit it, when you see them in real life at her trunk shows, you just say, "Wow!" Add to the fact that for every one they add to the catalog, one is pulled/discontinued; you never know which will stay or go.

The newest Issey Miyake is 2952. I really like the skirt and the lace-up jacket looks fun. Donna Karan 2954 - Love the top, it looks Miyake-ish, too. I thought I would try a Vintage Vogue - 2859 1935 design. I really like the yellow blouse. As L said, "It's a TCM pattern!" Since I have Anna Sui glasses, her 2947 collection of blouses jumped from the drawer to my hand. And plain vanilla Vogue 8077 - not-plain-at-all sleeveless long drapey tops.

International Quilt Festival - Summer Edition!

Just found out today, Quilts Inc., the mothership of the Houston (Fall) and Chicago (Spring) International Quilt Festivals will now have a Summer Quilt Festival making its debut July 25/27, 2008 at the Long Beach Entertainment Center in Long Beach, California. Check their website for more information and to get on their mailing list for classes.

Psst! 10% off coupon code for Eastbay

New shoes! I found them at Sports Authority last night practically half price on sale. (Asics Gel 1100) But only one pair in my size. Just like bathing suits, when you find one that fits, you want to buy more than one, right? So we head over to another Sports Authority this morning and no luck. Enter the Internet! I found them on Eastbay.com; in a different color and cheaper! Here's a 10% off coupon code -- LKS4AFD If you Google "(insert website/company here) coupon codes," you'll find even more.

B*ar Nak*d

I had to disguise the title otherwise people google-ing for porn would be slightly surprised to find my blog!

Anyways, just look at the photo for something yummy!

A little scoop of this will do you good when you have the hungries and need an energy boost. While the green pumpkin seeds can be a little disconcerting, they are good along with all the other organic ingredients -- cashews, walnuts, almonds, cranberries, raisins and dark chocolate chips. A 26 ounce (1 pound, 10 oz) is selling right now at Costco for $9.99. Stock up before they disappear!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Songs

Oh! Ouch! Owie! I need to get new workout shoes!! Extra motivation today and a little bit slower (more incline!) to preserve the feetsies!

Pet Shop Boys, "It's a Sin" 5:01
iTunes, Discography: The Complete Singles

Fleetwood Mac, "As Long As You Follow" 4:18
The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac

Today's stats: 52 minutes, 3.09 miles, 328 calories

Garden tour

The first blooming of the Carolina Jessamine. Smells as pretty as it looks!

The Pink Star Jasmine is going to be spectacular this year... this is the top of the 6 foot fence it trails over.

The first Katie Ruellia bloom (it's really only 1 inch wide). The purple beat the pink this year! This plant so easily reseeds, (the seeds must be microscopic), we even find it in the kitchen and back gardens.

The Dianthus/Carnation/Sweet William got knocked a bit upside from the rain this morning. You can still see a few raindrops on the blooms.

Alyssum is a great trooper. I love the fragrance! I only wish it could stick around longer; once the hot weather arrives, it gets all leggy and disappears.

The good, and the ugly...

Here's what is left of the Heliotrope. No sign of the pretty dark purple anise & vanilla-scented blooms! Though you can start to see tiny green leaves near the base. The freeze we had will help self-prune and it will come back bigger and better in a few months. It tends to get long and scraggly, with only the ends flowering. Every few years a good overnight freeze will allow it to return more compact and tidier, and with even more blooms.

Flower salute to March!

These guys on the left have the strongest hyacinth fragrance. Doesn't Mother Nature make a great arrangement?

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Songs

Needed something with a beat to keep me going...at about Lap 4 I was ready to say, "Screw this!" (some days are easier than others), but managed to go the distance at the end.

The Rolling Stones, "Emotional Rescue" 3:42

Forty Licks, Disc 2

Joaquin Phoenix, "Get Rhythm" 2:26

From the Walk The Line movie soundtrack

Cool down:

Mary Chapin Carpenter, "My Heaven" 5:53

Between Here and Gone

Today's Stats: 50 minutes, 2.9 miles, 306 calories

Who the heck is on my iPod?! - T's through Z!

T'Pau...Talking Heads...Thompson Twins...Three Doors Down...Timbuk 3...Toad The Wet Sprocket...Todd Rundgren...Tom Petty...Toto...The Traveling Wilburys...Trisha Yearwood...Twisted Sister...Tyler Hilton...

U2...Uncle Kracker...

Van Halen...Van Morrison...Vanilla Ice...

W.G. "Snuffy" Walden...Wadsworth Mansion...Wang Chung...War...Warren Zevon...Waylon Jennings...The Weather Girls...Willie Nelson...Wyndham Hill...

Yanni...Yaz...Yes...Yusuf (Cat Stevens)

Zero 7

Who the heck is on my iPod?! - The R's & S's

Rainbow...Randy Mesiner...Randy Travis...Rascal Flatts...Real McCoy...Red Rider...Reese Witherspoon (yes, she sang on the "Walk the Line" soundtrack, she's pretty good!)...REO Speedwagon...Reunion...Rick James...Rick Springfield...Rickie Lee Jones...Ricky Skaggs...Rihanna...Ringo Starr...Rob Thomas...Robbie Dupree...Robert Plant...Rod Stewart...The Rolling Stones...Ronnie Milsap...Rosanne Cash...Roxette...Rush...Ryan Adams...

Sammy Hagar...Sanford & Townsend...Santana...Sarah McLachlan...Scandal...Scissor Sisters...Seals & Crofts...Sean Paul...Shakira...Shannon McNally...Shawn Colvin...SheDaisy...Sheena Easton...Sheryl Crow...Shooter Jennings...Slade...Smash Mouth...Soft Cell...Split Enz...Squeeze...Steam...Steve Earle...Steve Miller Band...Steve Tyrell...Sting...Stories...Stray Cats...Sublime...Sweet...

Who the heck is on my iPod?! - The N's, O's ,P's & Q

N Sync...Neil Young...Nick Lachey...Nickelback...Nicki French...Night Ranger...

The Oak Ridge Boys...OK Go...Old Crow Medicine Show (James River Blues)...Olivia Newton-John...Otis Redding...

Pink...Paper Lace...Patti Smith...Paul McCartney & Wings...Paul Simon...Paul Speer (Behind the Waterfall)...Peaches & Herb...Pet Shop Boys...Phil Collins...Poison...Prince...The Psychodelic Furs...

Queen