Good morning friends! I’m preparing for a two-week ‘blogging break’ so that I can finish up my Dad’s estate work and the taxes. It’s a really big big job since I didn’t keep meticulous track of the expenses and their ‘purpose’ over the year. I will be trying to ‘re-create’ the past year and what was done and what it cost and it’s going to take some time and focus.
The only way I can see to do that is just to not blog for a week or two. Sniff… I will miss you all but, wow—when I get done, I’ll be able to get back to some beautiful sewing projects…a fabric art piece, two antique quilts, and finish up some sewing tutorials I have. Needled Mom, who is an avid, quilter, will enjoy those I’m sure! Trudy, of Sewing with Trudy, and Caroline of Church Sexy will also be thrilled. If you are one of my sewing savvy followers, be sure to check out these three ladies’ blogs.
Plus, I’m hoping to get started with painting our home when all the paperwork and quilting are over (probably later this summer). Thanks to remodeling my father’s house last year, I’ve learned how to tape and bed, texture, and do other things. No doubt I’ll have lots of fun stuff to share as Dear Hubby, the kids, and I work through the various rooms in the house. I can’t wait to see the colors of paint that Maria Killam of Colour Me Happy chose for my home on the walls!!
But the taxes and estate work are still ‘hanging’ over my head and I need to get them done so I can get on with life. :o) If you know you are assigned to be the executor for a relative’s estate, please do some research now! You’d be amazed at what’s involved. I was so unprepared for what turned out to be almost a full time job!
Anyway, as I said yesterday, the cookbooks are in the mail and I’m sure Rebekah and I will have lots of fun posts about our adventures to share. I seriously doubt that they will be as entertaining as Julie and Julia’s adventures (sorry about that Julia :o), but no doubt we will find some great recipes and learn some new techniques. (By the way, Julia of Julia’s Sew Sweet and Special Occasion Clothing for Children) is a fabulous seamstress..quilting and refashion…you name it—she does it!)
Cooking is one thing I’ve not put a lot of attention to over the years. What I cook, I cook very well…but after 25 years, I think it’s time to learn some new things. :o) I’ve come across a wonderful resource blog called The Reluctant Gourmet. This guy..a stay-at-home-DAD…is the guru of cooking and cooking techniques!
Reading his blog is like going to ‘cooking’ school for ordinary people. If you’d like to learn more about things like de-glazing a pan or making a reduction sauce (a way to make tantalizing gravy or sauces for roasted meats), then you might want to spend some time at RG’s place. :o) Also, be sure to drop by Olive Garden’s website for some fantastic Italian recipes!
The best book to teach busy mothers ‘real’ art!!
While I’m gone, you also might like to visit some more of my blogging friends who are experts in various topics that I occasionally post about:
- Weightloss and Exercise – Jaime of Life and Love in the Country
- Spiritual Encouragement – Deb of Jeremiah 29:11
- Art - Gloria of Gloria’s Viva La Vida, Lorraine of Love of Collage, and Shona of The Art Side of Life (author of the book above)
- Gardening – Tracie at Fishtail Cottage
- Homemaking – Katy at Country Blossom, Jill of Blessings of a Stay at Home Mom
- Fashion and Style – Claudia of Casa De Berry
- Tea Time – Amy of A Tea Girl in a Coffee World
- Beauty and Music – Natasha of 5 Minutes Just for Me
- Nature Photos – Kerrie’s Korner
- Home Interiors – My Romantic Home , Classic-Casual-Home
And all the rest of my tea drinking friends….
- Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday
- The Plumed Pen's Tea for Two
- Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday
- Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday
- Wanda Lee's Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday
Pam's Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday
Another great resource that I think would be worth a good peruse while I’m gone is…
31 Days to Clean: Having a Martha House the Mary Way.
This is a great little E-book about homemaking and housecleaning. Here are some chapter titles from the book…
Now I can tell you for SURE that The Six List is from DAY 6! (Whew!! Now I’ve got THAT off my mind!-I’d forgotten where I saw it when I wrote the post last week.) Don’t these titles look great?! The chapters are very short and to the point.
She talks a bit about ways to really bless your home and the people in it..helping you have a more cheerful and loving attitude in all you do plus each day she gives you two assignments…one to bless your family and one cleaning job. Doesn’t that sound like a fun journey?
So while I’m away, do have some fun exploring my super savvy friends’ blogs and especially these blogs which teach so much every day…
and
Summer is a great time to learn new things!
I’ll be back on July 12 for Tuesday Tea.
Do you have vacation plans? Let me know if you check out any of these resources and how you liked them. I’ll be dropping by to visit any one who comments.
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