All posts by ruthsoaper

Monthly Inspiration

Inspiration, Reflections, spring

Hello and Welcome. March has arrived and we are headed into my favorite season. Despite the sunshine March came in like a Lion, with high winds and below freezing temperatures. We are forecast to have warmer days this coming week, which means we’re heading in the right direction. 😀 But while we await spring, I will share some “spring” quotes with you.

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” – Hal Borland

“In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.” – Mark Twain

“Despite the forecast, live like it’s spring.” – Lilly Pulitzer

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” ― Anthony J. D’Angelo

“In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move.” – Henry Rollins

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” –Margaret Atwood

“Garden as though you will live forever.” – William Kent

“Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” – Doug Larson

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!'” – Robin Williams

Lastly if you want to quote me, I say, “Spring – Bring it on!!!”🌼🌞🌷

Thanks for visiting.

Monthly Inspiration and More

Inspiration, Reflections

Hello and welcome. I know it’s been quiet around the blog lately. I didn’t even post a monthly inspiration yet. So, let’s start there. I just learned that February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day.

I’m not going to ask if you plan to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day and how because I think having it planned would mean it’s not really random. Instead, I would encourage random acts of kindness whenever the opportunity arises.

“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.”
— Morgan Freeman

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.” -Khalil Gibran

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

February 17 is also our wedding anniversary. We are celebrating 18 years of marriage this year. Our plan is to do some car shopping as we need to replace our minivan (puppymobile). We have been doing a lot of searching online and have looked at a couple of vehicles at dealerships but have yet to find what we are looking for. We will be buying used and are thinking of an SUV type vehicle. We do not need anything fancy. We just hope we can find something reliable. If you have ever owned a SUV that you loved, please tell us what it was and what you loved about it. It might also be helpful if you have had an SUV that was not a good vehicle if you share that information as well.

Thanks for any help you can give, and I’ll let you know if we find something.

2024 Homemade Christmas Gifts

Christmas, Crafts, Reflections, Sewing

Long time readers know that I usually spend the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas making Christmas gifts. This year was different as having to deal with my dad’s affairs left me little time for crafting. I did, however find myself with about three days before Christmas to whip up a few things. Fortunately, the gift(s) I had planned for my daughters were a simple pattern that I had made a few times so I was familiar with the process.

Regular readers also know that I like to make practical/useful gifts. This year I decided to make reusable shopping bags. My husband and I started using these bags earlier in the year and like how sturdy they are. They can be packed full, and we can just grab the handle and carry the bag without having to worry about the bag ripping open. The biggest problem we have, and my daughters mentioned it too, is remembering to take them along when we go shopping. We are getting better about it. I suggested to my daughter that after they are unpacked, they should be left by the door (near your shoes or coat) so when you go out next time you will remember to take them along to the car.

I had some fun fabrics that I had purchased when I saw it on clearance for $0.99 per yard. One of those deals that I couldn’t pass up even though I had no plans for the fabric at that time.

Bag made with Dr Seuss fabric
Bag made with Snoopy fabric.
Bag made with Dr. Seuss fabric.

The bags doubled as gift wrap since I just put all the other gifts we had for the girls in their bag. No wrapping required.

Last week when my youngest daughter called me, she said that she had just got home from grocery shopping. I asked if she had used the bag I made her and she replied, “yes”. That made me happy! 😀

Do you use reusable shopping bags?

The Big Day

Family, Reflections

The official holidays were over and most people were done celebrating on Sunday, January 5 when our family got together for our big celebration. My husband, with my permission, began planning this day a couple months ago. It was my 60th birthday and he wanted to throw me a party.

Since my birthday fell on a Sunday picking a date for the party was easy. I began telling people to save the date way before we had any other plans made. That was a good strategy because nearly everyone we invited made it.

My sister and brother-in-law booked a hall, and my husband ordered the food. (We now highly recommend Nino Salvaggio catering service.) It was a wonderful day filled with family, friends, fun and food enhance by love and laughter. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday –

Me with 3 of my daughters. Tina, Lindell, Me (Ruth), Kara.

but I got one. As you can see in the above picture some of us are Detroit Lion’s fans. I was wearing my Detroit Lion’s hoodie that my husband bought me for Christmas. Lindell was wearing a Lion’s sweatshirt and the Lion’s shirt that Kara was wearing was one Lindell made her for her (Thanksgiving) birthday. It said, “All I want for my Birthday is a Lions Win”. For my birthday she put a piece of tape over the word “My” and wrote “Mom’s” on it. 😁

Sunday night, after the party, my husband and I capped off the evening by watching the Lion’s beat the Minnesota Vikings to win the conference championship and secure the #1 seed in the playoffs.

It was a great way to start 2025 and a memorable 60th birthday.

GO LIONS!!!

Monthly Inspiration

Inspiration, Reflections

Hello and Happy New Year!

In our home 2025 crept in quietly while we were sleeping last night. We were happy to celebrate its arrival this morning with a breakfast of mushroom-cheese omelet, American fries, bacon and toast.

For me this was a wonderful way to start the new year – low-key, simple, uneventful, at home with my husband and our dogs. Now if the rest of the year will follow suit…😀

To start off the year I selected this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson – “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” 

I’m also inviting you to share an inspirational message, favorite quote, or verse, with me and my readers in to comments section below. I hope to hear from you.

Thanks for visiting.