Tuesday, June 27, 2017

I've made my decision!

Hi everyone,

In case you're wondering what I'm referring to in my title, it means that I've decided to start another new novel.  I've done most of the research for it already and I started writing the manuscript two days ago.  I'm excited about this one, as I'm stepping out of my comfort zone once again.

It just seems so easy for me to write a story when it is about people and their everyday lives.  You know, stories that come from the heart, stories about family, friends and love.  Although this one will be about family love, it will also involve much deceit.

I haven't yet come up with a definite name yet, but I'm tossing around this:  Life, Love and Lies!  This new novel will definitely include all three of these "L" words.  I have to think about the title for a little while yet and then I'll decide whether I'll use this one or not.

I'm not going to share with you all today, what the story is about, but I suppose you can deduct some of the content from my suggested title.  This new novel will also include death and great loss.  I hope I'll get some time today to work on it, but I have some other projects going on as well.  We'll see how the day progresses.

I also have to come up with a cover for this novel.  I have to admit that I haven't even considered that issue, as of yet.  I'm sure, if I put my thinking cap on, I'll come up with just the right one.  Wish me luck, I may need it.

What have you all been up to lately?  I hope, now that it's summer, you will have some time for some summer fun, especially with your families.  I'm sure all of the swimming pools are open now and the public parks, as well.  Spending time with your family doesn't always have to mean spending money.  Although many times it does!  Just have a back yard meal together.  It's pretty simple and it's not too expensive.  You provide the meats and the grill, and ask everyone else to bring a covered dish.  That way it won't be too expensive.  Just do it!

I'll keep you all informed on my new writing project.  I'm still making table runners for Christmas gifts.  I do them all by hand embroidery.  Try it, you just may find that you have a creative ability you knew nothing about!

Have a wonderful day and be safe always.
Susan

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Hi folks,

So, how's your week going thus far?  I hope it's going well, but even if it isn't, there's always hope that the remainder of the week will go better for you. 

My week is going like it usually does, fast!  I can't believe that tomorrow is Thursday already.  Perhaps partly because when I got up on Tuesday morning, I thought it was Monday.  That went on for a few hours before I finally realized that it was Tuesday, not Monday. 

I have been indoors for many days now.  I can't be outside with this humidity we've been having for the last ten or so days.  I'm not complaining thought,  because I can always find something creative to do. Actually, I've been tossing around the idea of starting a new manuscript.  I've been praying about it and I have an idea for another novel.  Now I just need to take the time to do some research and write down some of my ideas for my topic. 

I started reading Stephen King's novel, "Joyland."  I can't seem to put it down.  I only have a few pages left in it, so first thing tomorrow morning, it will be finished.  I love his books and I so admire his great imagination.  I just can't ever imagine myself coming up with the plots he comes up with every time.  I've read so many of his books and I've loved every single one.  He has always been my favorite author.   God certainly blessed him with a wonderful imagination.

I was listening to the Solid Gold Oldies on television this evening and I learned that Bobby Darin died in 1973.  I'm not sure I ever knew he died so young.  I looked it up and found that he died from a heart condition.  Of course, I have always loved his music when I was in my teens, but I have to say that I love listening to his music today, because my Dad just loved Bobby Darin.  Every time I hear his song, "Mack the Knife" I can close my eyes and picture my Mom and Dad dancing to it.  It brings me great joy when that happens.  Mom and Dad both passed away many years ago and I miss them all the time. 

It's funny how certain songs from the 40's, 50's and 60's, take me to such a happy place. I think it's because I was a child during most of that time and my world was all about music and dance.  American Bandstand was my favorite television show.  It seemed like such a simpler time back then.  I guess that's because it was, that's for sure, at least for me.

I've taken a little break from my creating security blankets for children in hospitals and started working on hand embroidered table runners and table covers.  They will be used as Christmas gifts.  What have all of you been working on in the creative line? 

What's up for your weekend?  Not much for me, which is normal for me.  My husband is golfing on Saturday.  I'm glad he gets the chance to golf.  He loves the sport and that makes me happy. 

I guess I better close for now.  Be safe always and stay cool.
Susan

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Hi folks!

In yesterday's new blog I mentioned that I would post some photos of my table runners, which I made for Christmas gifts.

Well, here they are, along with a few more of the security blankets for children in hospitals.






The table runners are all done by hand using embroidery stitches.  The blanket animals are also all done by hand.  I use my sewing machine on the blanket edges on the zig-zag mode.
Susan

Monday, June 12, 2017

Happy Monday!

Hi everyone,
How's the weather where you are?  It's wayyyy tooooo hot for me here!  It's been up in the 90's for the past two days and will continue in the 90's tomorrow, also.  I am not liking this weather at all!

What have you all been up to lately?  As for me, I've taken a little break from working on my home embroidered security blankets for children who are hospitalized.  I just finished two table runners and I think they turned out well.  At least I like them.  I've decided to make two more table covers, but they won't be quite as long as the two I just finished.  I'll post some pictures tomorrow so you can see them. 

I love working on hand created projects.  My heart might be only working at a low capacity, but it still has the energy to help me to create things for other people.  I can't tell you how much that means to me.  I am so thankful that God has bestowed these creative abilities upon me ever since I was a child.  It means so much to me now, since I no longer have the energy to even leave my home very often.  But, I can do these things while I'm sitting on the sofa with my feet and legs up.  I am so thankful for this.

How are things where you live?  I saw on the television today, that today was one year since the senseless deaths at the Pulse Club in Florida.  I truly don't understand what is wrong with people today.  Why is there so much hatred in this world?  Can't people see that this senseless killing of other people doesn't prove anything.  The shooters either end up in jail for life or dead. 

I truly don't understand why people can't just mind their own business.  Who another person loves, what color their skin is, what religion they are, how they act, or just because they're different, isn't anyone else's business.  Just mind your own business and live your own life.  These people are bullies.  I don't care why they say they take another person's life.  God made everyone of us the same.  He loves us all.  God is the only one who has the right to judge us, no one else. 

If a person puts their faith in the Lord, living according to His will, there wouldn't be so many senseless murders.  Whatever happened to sitting down and talking things through with another person?  Today it seems that the answer to everything is violence.  Well, it's not! 

Violence is not only against the law, but it certainly is against God's laws. 

I hope you have a good week and that those you love will be safe.  Love God and live according to His plan for us, not any other way!
Susan

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Good evening, everyone!

Hi folks,

How's our week going thus far?  Mine is going okay.  I am trying to do a bit of cleaning each morning because my house needs cleaned.  Oh, it's not filthy, but it starting to show a bit of dust here and there.  I am not, by any means, a cleaning fanatic! How about you?  I have too many other things I can be doing:  reading a good book, working on my security blankets for kids in hospitals or talking to a friend on the phone.  As you by now guessed:  Cleaning isn't my favorite thing to do anymore.

Well, it looks like the next couple of days will be strange, weather wise.  It's to be only in the mid sixties tomorrow, but by Monday, it's to be ninety degrees.  What is up with this strange weather?  I, for one, do not like it one bit.  But, since I can't do anything to change it, I suppose I'll just have to live with it, now won't I?

Can you believe that it's already June 6th?  I certainly can not.  It seems like just a short time ago, we celebrated Christmas and welcomed in 2016.  Time moves by so quickly for me, which surprises me so much.  One would think that when a person lives a very sedentary lifestyle, and by that, I mean me on the sofa with my feet up, time would go slowly.  Well, it doesn't. 

I am so thankful for the fact that I'm still alive, no matter how fast or slow time goes by.  It's hard for me to realize that over eleven years ago, I was very close to death.   I give so much praise to God for His giving me more time on this earth.  My family means so much to me and although I don't see them too often, other than my husband, I am so thankful that I am alive to hear what's going on in their lives.  I'm also very thankful for as much time to be with my husband as God allows me.

I'm still creating security blankets for young children who are in hospitals.  I now have sixty-eight of them completed.  They take about five hours to do one.  Here are some photos of them:






I hope the children who receive them will love them as much as I have loved the time I spent creating them.  They are approximately 30" x 36".

Well, I hope your week goes well for you and that you have something fun planned for the weekend.  Or, at least something relaxing for yourself.  Be safe and may God bless you always.
Susan