Category Archives: Reflections

Summer Sewing

Reflections, Sewing

I’m trying to develop my sewing skills and the only way I know to do that is to practice. Over the summer I made a few projects. Take a look.

The first was this red crossover tank top. It was a fairly easy project and I am pleased with the way it turned out.

This grey cardigan was a fairly easy project as well. I love the knit fabric it is made out of, as it was easy to work with and is comfortable to wear.

The red tank top even pairs well with the grey cardigan.

When I wore this striped hooded pullover at our family picnic three of my daughters decided I should make it for them. They told me what colors they would like and I told them “Christmas is coming”.

This beautiful black with yellow flowers has a cowl neck (it’s hard to tell in the photo). I’ve always liked wearing a cowl neckline. I have to give my sister credit for making most of this though. Recently while visiting I was visiting her we were looking through fabrics and patterns. She then showed me this shirt that she had mostly finished but given up on because she didn’t like the way it fit her. When I tried it on I loved the way it fit. I also loved the print.

I brought it home and finished sewing the second cuff on and hemmed the bottom. I now have some new fall attire and a list of things I need to make before Christmas. 🙂

Idiom Of The Week

Idioms, Reflections

Hello and welcome!

Our idiom this week is “don’t put all your eggs in one basket”

According to idioms.com this phrase means:

  • don’t make everything dependent on one thing
  • don’t put all your resources into one thing
  • don’t depend for your success on a single plan
  • don’t concentrate all efforts into one area

They also tell us: The origin of the phrase is unclear, but it is most commonly attributed to the book Don Quixote written by Miguel Cervantes in the early 1600s.

I used this phrase recently when my husband and I were discussing our garden 2021 garden results. As he talked of the benefits of growing a diverse garden, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” I quipped. “There is your next idiom” he replied. 🙂

We use this philosophy in many areas of our life – having a backup plan or alternative means of doing things. Long time readers might remember my preparedness advice from this post. Ironically one of the times we don’t adhere to this is when collecting eggs. LOL! That’s right we collect all of the eggs in one basket but rarely do we have a problem. When it comes to collecting eggs the better advice is don’t put eggs in your pocket! Hmm – Perhaps there is a new idiom there.

Do you use this phrase?

Plant Identification – Can You Help?

Reflections,

I know some of my readers are gardeners and plant lovers so today I am asking for your help to identify a plant that my husband so lovingly brought home for me.

Before I show it to you I want to share the cute story of how it became mine. During a recent visit to the farm store my husband noticed these unique plants in the garden section out in front of the store. There were three of this particular plant and the sign said $5.00 each. My husband selected one of the plants and took it inside. As he was walking in another man with 5 of those plants in his cart had just finished paying and was leaving the store. He stopped my husband and said “I just bought all of those. You can’t have that.” When my husband explained that there were three left outside the man showed him on his receipt that he had paid for the five in his cart plus the three that remained (including the one my husband had in his hand). He had paid half price for all of them.

Not to be deterred my husband pleaded with the other man “let me have just one. I want to give it to my wife. She would love it.” Eventually the man relented choosing the smallest and least healthy looking of the bunch and handing it to my husband. My husband handed him $5 (full price) and wished him a nice day.

I love the plant almost as much as I love what my husband did to get it for me. The problem is that there was no tag in the container telling me the name of the plant or anything else about it. Thus I’m asking for your help. Do you know the name of this plant?

I did a quick internet search for “plants that look like caterpillars” but only came up with photos of caterpillars on plants.

Other questions I have are: what are the growing requirements for this plant – does it like full sun or partial shade? Does it require a lot of water or just a little? I’m also not sure if it would be best to plant it outdoors this fall and see if it will survive our winter or if I should over winter it in the house and plant it out next spring. If you are familiar with this plant please tell me what you know about it.

Idiom Of the Week

Idioms, Reflections

Hello and Welcome!

Photo by Peter Fazekas on Pexels.com

Our idiom this week is: a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

The idioms.com defines this phrase as:

  • a proverb that means easy situations can never improve you or make you better
  • the harsh conditions of life make a person tougher and more capable
  • challenging experiences often give the best lessons of life

They also say, this proverb is believed to have an African origin. It’s been in use for quite a while and there is no record of the first use and actual origin of this proverb.

I find it surprising that I had never heard this saying before, since my husband was a sailor for 35 years. I do, however, like the phrase and the idea that it represents. I may begin using it. 🙂

Have you ever used this phrase?