Wednesday, January 15, 2014

42 Ramblings


1.  I've traveled around the sun 42 times today.
2.  This morning at the gym the instructor happened to mention his age, which is precisely half of mine.
3.  This knowledge made me feel strong since I was doing all the same moves he was.
4.  Then the tendinitis in my arm was killing me and making me feel old.
5.  As I type this I'm nibbling on raw cashews.
6.  I'm a total creature of habit and have been having raw cashews for lunch since August.
7.  I never actually stop and sit down and eat lunch like the way that I want my kids to stop and eat lunch.  
8.  It feels too indulgent to plan lunch, make lunch and sit down and eat lunch.
9.  I found a giant, old mirror at a thrift shop yesterday and have already cleaned it up, taped off the mirror, and spray painted the frame.  
10.  It's currently sitting propped up against the washing machine waiting to be hung in a bathroom.
11.  Surely over the ten years of living in this house I've seen other large, old mirrors at thrift stores.
12.  I wonder why this time it dawned on me to buy one and replace the too small mirror currently in that room.
13.  The above photo is an outtake from a series my 12 year old took of me in October.  
14.  I needed a photo to include in my book that comes out in July.
15.  Boom.
16.  I spent the first half of 2013 writing a quilt book and over a year later it will finally be published and out in the wild.
17.  Thrilling and somewhat terrifying at the same time.
18.  Usually by this time of year I'm pouring over seed catalogs, scheming, plotting, and planning what to start in my greenhouses soon.
19.  I need to get on that.
20.  Any good recommendations for amazing perennial flowers to grow?
21.  I'm in the process of making a king sized scrappy bear paw quilt that will contain 100 different fabrics.
22.  I'm Instagramming my progress fairly often and others are quilting along with me and making their own versions of scrappy bear paw quilts.
23.  I'm oldredbarnco over on Instagram if you want to join along.  Use hashtag #scrappybearpawquilt to tag your photos.
24.  You'll find dimensions and cutting instructions to make a 19" finished block in my feed.
25.  I laughed at myself over the weekend when I was doing laundry and lamented the fact that a pair of my sweatpants got a bleach spot on them.  
26.  It was funny only because I thought to myself, "Oh crud.  These are a pair of my nice sweatpants."
27.  Dude.  If "nice sweatpants" is a category in my wardrobe, perhaps it's time to rethink my wardrobe.
28.  Sheesh.
29.  Razor and I have been reworking/remodeling our play room the past two weekends.
30.  My kids are 12 and 14 and the room didn't need to be a play room anymore.
31.  The room is so beautiful now that I had to stop after #29 and go sit in it a second.
32.  I can't wait to blog about the room just as soon as some shelves are painted and things are hung on the walls.
33.  On this very same day last year I mentioned how my orchid from 2012 was re blooming.  
34.  Wouldn't you know it I just turned to look at that exact orchid and it's got early evidence that it is going to bloom again.  Again!  I hope I didn't just jinx it.
35. Can somebody please talk to me about kombucha.  And kvass.  
36.  My family loves meatloaf lately.
37.  Meatloaf and mashed potatoes are the perfect cold of January comfort food.
38.  My kids have started clogging with a new group.
39.  The next chance I get I'm going to video tape them clogging and share it here.
40.  Their feet are on fire.
41.  In a good way of course.  Not actually on fire.
42.  The preceding 41 sentences demonstrate how my mind works pretty much all the time.

-dana


35 comments:

Kim said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megan said...

happy birthday!!!!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

What a marvelous mind! 42 is the meaning of life you know ;-)

Bluebird & Company said...

I love following your blog. Thanks for all your wonderful posts. I also bought some of your soap from old red barn co. and it is THE BEST i have ever used! Thank you!

Kar said...

42!? No way. You look fabulous!!!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday today!

Zinnias. You should look into zinnias for flowers in the yard. So easy and tons of colors. They are my favorite. :)

Lynn said...

Congratulations on #14 - 17 that's exciting! And thanks for sharing #24, I've always wanted to make a quilt with that block. Also, Happy Birthday!

tara said...

Happy Birthday. I will be 42 times around the sun in a few weeks.

DebbyMc said...

Happy, Happy Birthday, Dana! 42...what was I doing then...my kids were 12 and 16...so I was dodging hormones, I bet! And now I am coming up on a mega-bday for me...I'll need help breathing through it, I think. And, no, it's not 50, that was a breeze. This one is giving me fits...arghhhhh...but my mom always told me re: aging--- "it's better than the alternative!" So I'm gonna try to go with that! I love your perspective and attitude so much, and look forward to each and every blog post. Have a FANTASTIC day!!

Tennjenny said...

Happy Birthday! Congratulations! I can't wait to hear more about the book. I'm trying to start IGing and I will go follow you there now, because I love scrappy bear paw. And meatloaf is so good, you're right.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday!

Such a wonderful list, love it. The way it flowed felt like you were talking to me (all of us).

Amazing tidbits scattered throughout. Awesome tidbits, too.

A book. A book to place on my shelf. I can't wait.

Meatloaf is good.

You almost have me with the scrappy beat paw....almost.

May this day treat you well, celebrate well, laugh, make some memories, and happy sewing.

Beth said...

Happy Birthday!!!
I enjoy following along on your stream of consciousness....
How are you not tired???
I look forward to seeing the redone room. And the clogging.
Go Dana Go.
And when exactly is that book coming out? I need to watch for it.

Toni said...

Happy Birthday!! My mind is all over the place like that, too. I love that your kids are in a clogging group and I need to see your playroom remodel. Not that I can remodel our playroom anytime soon, but I need general decor inspiration. And I like your style! So, I hope today is your happiest birthday ever!

Paige said...

Happiest of birthdays to you! I am just a few short years behind you. A book?!?! Can't wait to hear more about THAT!

Sara said...

Happy Birthday young lady! What an awesome way to record the day by what is going on in your brain. Seriously awesome!

I can relate to having all sorts of thoughts constantly roaming around my noggin especially being pregnant!

Cashews are one of my fave nuts:)

Congratulations on your book!

Orchids are so fun to watch grow,but I never live in one place long enough to be able to enjoy it more than one blooming season:(

I wish my family would eat meatloaf! I always end up ordering it from a restaurant instead:)

Jackie said...

Happy Birthday Dana! Love your list/train of thought. I'm right there with you on how my mind works. Could be why my husband doesn't understand me sometimes...? Nah. Will the old play room be your own sewing space?? That would be cool. Can't wait to see what you did to it. :)

Afton Warrick said...

Happy Birthday! Maybe if you've been good this year, you'll get a new pair of "good sweats". That's too funny! I think the same way as you do. I'm afraid I also do projects at home in the same fashion. It often results in lunch in the microwave until it gets cold (like the dish-washing water in the sink); piles of laundry that has been sorted, but not hung; and more quilt UFOs than I can count...

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Happy Birthday Dana!

scottylover said...

Happy birthday! I love reading your posts. Can't wait to see the room and the book!

Sandy A

Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane said...

I love you friend. Happy BIRTHDAY! Happy wonderful new year, happy all good things.
I'm so proud of you and your book. Can't wait to see it.
I have "nice" sweatpants too. lol
I can't wait to see progress pics of your quilt- how have I missed that on IG?
Hug your girls and I can't wait to see you in 2 months!

Mama Said Sew said...

Happy Birthday my beautiful friend! I can't wait to get my hands on your book. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes sounds really good right now. I don't wear sweatpants, but I do have a rather large "good tee shirt" section in my closet. ;)

Amy said...

Happy Birthday! I will turn 42 this year too. In October.

A book! Congratulations! Already anticipating a cup of coffee and your book. :) be blessed



Sara said...

On perennials

1. helebores (lenten roses) They're a leafy ground cover that likes shady spots and blooms in February or March before anything else except witch hazel. They're very pretty and come in cream, green, mauve and purple with some striped varieties.

2. foxgloves

3. lupine

4. columbine

5. winter jasmine. I don't know if this is actually jasmine or not, but its a vine that blooms right around now with small yellow flowers.

Rafael's Mum said...

Happy Birthday Dana. Oh WOW, a book! Congratulations ! Let me know when it is out, I want one! :-)

katzber said...

I REALLY like the sweatpants comments.! I'm sooooo there!

Katzber

AnnieO said...

Duh. I didn't get the 42 times around the sun reference until I got to the comments! HBTY! Great outtake pic. Thanks for sharing 42 thoughts and all your great news!

dolores said...

AAAaaaaakkkk! I can't believe I forgot your birthday...especially since it's the same day as my sister!!!! So sorry much loved one!!:)

Congrats on the book!;)

Coreopsis, Echinacea, Penstemon (which just reseeds like crazy), Aster, Catmint, Euphorbia, Gaillardia, Lavendar, Yarrow, Sedum, Herbs!!!:)

Oh my gosh we need to get together...we need to make it happen!!!:)
xoxoxoxo

Karamat said...

Happy Birthday!!! And a book... How exciting!!!

charlotte said...

Happy Birthday Dana! Kombucha is a fermented tea. It is supposed to be very healthy. We sell tons of it at my store. (I work at Whole Foods) I can't help you with kvass.

yarnivorous said...

Happy Birthday!
I ruined my "good" sweatpants by painting whilst wearing them, after I ruined my "good" (ie brand new) exercise pants by painting whilst wearing them. I'm a lot less fussed about the 10 year old sweatpants...

Trudi said...

Hope you had a fabulous birthday!, congratulations on the book! I can't wait to see it in real life! And I hope the play room has now become a studio space for you! Xx

Laurel Krynock said...

Happy Belated Birthday! Love this post - you seem like a super awesome person. : ) Looking forward to meeting you at Sew South...And, can't wait to hear more about your book!!!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I could make a list of 42 things I love about you. But, then I'd look like a stalker. Happy Birthday, my friend.

Melissa B said...

I want to stalk you with Diane and post my own list! Maybe we could be a stalking duo? Do those exist? It seems like more of a solitary thing, usually, but I think it would be more fun with a buddy.

Hope you had a marvelous birthday. Can't wait to see the new room that is making you so happy!

sallgood said...

A belated happy birthday! (I remember when I was 42…) :D

Kelli said...

Better Late than never so Happy Birthday Dana! I loved this post. It made me smile the whole time I was reading it. :)