Who Me?

I have been tapped by Nita over at Red Tin Heart to receive the coveted "Nice Matters" award. I found a description of the award at Lavender Hill Studio. According to Penny, whose blog Lavender Hill is: "This award will be given to those that are just nice people, good blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration! Those that care about others that are there to lend support or those that are just a positive influence in our blogging world!"
That's a lot to live up to. I feel very humble and delighted. It warms my heart to know that somebody out there enjoys visiting Blackberry Creek. Thank you, Nita, with all my heart.

Maybe this is a good opening for me to tell you why I love blogging. I created Blackberry Creek in November as a way to document the journal quilts I was making at the time. (Actually, officially, I'm still making them, although I haven't finished one in a while.) I immediately fell in love with blogging and wanted to post other things about my life and activities. Then people (you) started visiting and commenting, which fed my hunger to blog some more.

I've always loved writing, since before I could write. One of my earliest memories is of sitting on my daddy's lap while he read the paper, looking at all those strange marks and hoping that someday I could figure them out and make some of my own. Blogging is a perfect outlet for my writing urge, as well as a great network to meet new friends. I will likely never see most of you face-to-face; but blogging creates its own kind of friendship bonds. But then, I'm sure you already know that.

I don't think I've expressed completely how I feel about blogging. It's fun. I guess that's the main reason I like to do it. And I get to show off a little. I've always loved to show off. And so does Sophie.

Well, anyway, now the hard part. I have to pick a few people and award them the Nice Matters award.

The first award goes to my big sister, Joanne (we just call her Sister). She just started her blog at Sourwood Mountain, but already she has some great posts. Sister is very smart and talented. She loves collecting old dolls and dressing them. She's a great poet and writer. And she made all As in high school.

Next is Nicole at Sister's Choice. You won't believe how much work this lady turns out. Her quilts are eye-poppingly beautiful, with luscious fabric and color choices, and accurate piecing to make you swoon. You never know what you'll see next at Sister's Choice.

Daisy Cottage down in Florida is run by Kim. This blog is all about that happy little yellow bungalow. It's fun to drop in and see what new accessory Kim has found for Daisy.

I bet lots of you already know Terri at Stegart. This girl's art is so sweet and beautiful. I own a piece of it, which I won in one of Terri's blog giveaways; and I wouldn't take anything for it.

Anita at Take Joy lives on a farm. She raises all kinds of animals, including goats which I just love. She also has chickens and cats, and I don't know what all. She and her hubby grow vegetables too. But Anita still finds time to produce beautiful fabric art and cute outfits for her grandchildren.

That's five, and I haven't even made a dent in my list of great blogs. But I have to stop now and get ready for Red Rooster quilting retreat, which starts tomorrow. Y'all be sure to go on by and visit this great bloggers. They'll invite you in and fix you a nice glass of cyber sweet tea, and y'all can visit. And don't forget to leave your calling card (comment). I might not be back to Blackberry Creek until I return on Sunday. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Stay cool.

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This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 08/08/2007, Rian said ...

Congratulations! You definitely deserve it. I enjoy your blog very much.

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On 08/08/2007, Terri said ...

Well now it's my turn to say "Who Me???" Oh my gosh, you are just so sweet. I feel very honored to be on your list. Thanks so much Susan.

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On 08/09/2007, Daisy Cottage said ...

Thank you Susan!!!!!!!!!!!
Big ((((((hugs)))))
YOU definitely deserve your special award!
xo,
Kim

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On 08/09/2007, Nicole said ...

Susan, I am completely honored. Thank you! I think YOU are the one who deserves this award most. You are one of the very nicest bloggers out there!
Nicole
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Vanna Made Me Do It!

Hello. I'm Susan, and I'm a fiber addict. Yes, it's true. Yesterday I succumbed to the temptation to buy more yarn and start another ripple afghan.

It would never have happened if it hadn't been for Vanna White, my co-dependent. I made an innocent little trip to Hancock Fabrics to buy a couple of pieces of fabric for door prizes at our upcoming Red Rooster quilting retreat. For some reason, I just sort of ambled on back to the yarn section where I found on display Vanna's new crochet book. Out of curiosity, to see if Leisure Arts was doing as good a job as Oxmoor House started with Vanna's first crochet books, which I edited back in the 90s, to see how much Vanna's children have grown (that, and I thought that afghan on the cover was just the most gorgeous thing), I picked up the book to have a look. Well! Inside I saw mentioned Vanna's new line of worsted weight yarn from Lion Brand, which I hadn't noticed but which was on display right beside the book rack.

That did it. The yarn, as you can see, is luscious. And, as you can't see, it's so soft and cuddly, unlike lots of worsted weights. I HAD to have some. Some, heck, I had to have all of it. And that's almost what I got. I decided I'd make that beautiful afghan on the cover, which calls for every color of Vanna's Choice yarn except for, I believe, black. Thirty-three balls, I bought, of this gorgeous stuff. You'd think that the hot weather would keep me from thinking about soft yarn and cuddly afghans, but the air conditioning in Hancocks is very good--so good, in fact, that I completely forgot the 100-degree temperature reading just outside as I filled my shopping cart completely full of Vanna's Choice yarn.

As you can see, I've already started on the afghan, which is worked with a Size P hook and two different-colored strands of yarn worked together--so fun. No, I haven't finished the beach condo ripple yet; but who says I have to finish something before I start something else? And anyway, I can stop anytime I want to.

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This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 08/07/2007, sandi @ the whistlestop cafe said ...

Oh you are to silly!
I love the colors, and I am sure it is light and soft. You will have it done just in time for the first frost (there is cooler weather coming isn't there??)

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On 08/07/2007, JoAnna said ...

It's a cute project. I don't crochet much, but the two blankets I did do were both from Vanna's older book.

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On 08/07/2007, Sister said ...

Gorgeous stuff! Sure you can quit any time you want to, Suze. If you can find a Yarn-Anon group. That ripple pattern is fascinating to do (I started one but never finished it).

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On 08/07/2007, Toni said ...

Hi Susan, my name is Toni and I am also a fiberholic! I'm not looking to quit or for any type of support group. Just good reasons to keep bringing home yarn, fabric and of course bunnies!...lol, love your new yarn and that afghan is beautiful!

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On 08/07/2007, Nita said ...

I love the colors and the pattern. Nita

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On 08/12/2007, teresa said ...

I love this afghan. I love all the yarn you have. It makes me want to get started on one too!

Teresa

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On 06/27/2008, Alexandrine said ...

how did you you do this ????????

I'm trying since 2 weeks ...but no.....i can't......

:-(((((((((

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On 06/27/2008, Alexandrine said ...

how did you you do this ????????

I'm trying since 2 weeks ...but no.....i can't......

:-(((((((((

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On 06/27/2008, Alexandrine said ...

how did you you do this ????????

I'm trying since 2 weeks ...but no.....i can't......

:-(((((((((

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On 06/27/2008, Alexandrine said ...

how did you you do this ????????

I'm trying since 2 weeks ...but no.....i can't......

:-(((((((((

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On 06/27/2008, Alexandrine said ...

how did you you do this ????????

I'm trying since 2 weeks ...but no.....i can't......

:-(((((((((

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On 06/27/2008, Alexandrine said ...

how did you you do this ????????

I'm trying since 2 weeks ...but no.....i can't......

:-(((((((((
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Need I Say More?

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On 08/05/2007, Fran said ...

Yup. it's over 100 in Phoenix, too... But then again, we expect it here. Hang in there!

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On 08/06/2007, Rian said ...

I'm guessing your humidity is pushing 100 too.

Our temps have barely gotten into the mid-70s, but that's typical for summer on the central coast..

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On 08/06/2007, Karla said ...

I just found your blog through Daisy Cottage. I saw the the photo of Sophie Belle Patterpaw and she looks so much like my Margot! Margot is a black mini schnauzer. Its been pretty hot here as well - the humidity has been horrid!
Karla

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On 08/06/2007, Terri said ...

Hey did you take that picture at my house?

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On 08/09/2007, Susan Lenz said ...

Hi!
Yesterday it hit 105 degrees here in Columbia and the humidity is high enough to fog one's glasses when exiting a very air-conditioned building! Oppressive! I'm sending my comment here...because I read backwards! Just want to add that the new afghan looks great and have a fabulous time on your weekend retreat. I'll look forward to seeing images and reading about it when you return.
Susan
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Have You See This?

I just ordered my subscription. If you'd like to do the same, go here.

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On 08/07/2007, Toni said ...

I purchased mine this past weekend. I love it!
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Don't Tempt the Air Conditioner Gods in August

Last night, not long after having written so eloquently (I thought) about the blessings of air conditioning in an Alabama summertime, Vann and I retired to the living room to watch a couple of guy movies that Gene brought down a while back. They were the kind of movies where there's lots of gunfire and explosions, fireballs--that kind of thing. I was working on the beach condo afghan while viewing the movies; it was just at the point where Eddie Murphy and what's-his-name (the blond guy with the flat nose) were running from some bad guys when I began to feel too warm. That's not unusual for me; I've had hot flashes since about 1995, and just watching all that running and those fireballs and stuff was enough to heat up my delicate metabolism. So I thought nothing of the minor discomfort. But then I really began to sweat, and my crochet hook got so damp that the yarn wouldn't pull through.

"Is it hot?" I asked Vann. He's so used to me asking this question, I thought he'd say no. But instead he said, "Yes it is."

Vann got up and checked the air vents which didn't seem to be putting out air-conditioned air. He flipped the AC off and on a couple of times, checked the circuit breaker, and did all the magical things that only a man knows how to do with an electrical appliance. Nothing worked, the AC was broken. It being 10:00 on a Saturday night, we knew there was no chance of a repairman coming out right away.

Fortunately, the upstairs unit was still working, so Vann moved his C-PAP and other bedtime necessities into the guest bedroom and slept there. I stayed downstairs, under the ceiling fan, because I didn't want to go to the bother of moving my C-PAP and bedtime necessities upstairs. And I wanted to read for a while and not keep Vann awake. It wasn't bad until this morning when the sun came up; that's when the house became ovenlike. But just before we were medium rare, a nice young fellow from Tri-Counties Heating & Air showed up and saved the day. Nothing major--just a small part had to be replaced. While he was at it, the nice young man also washed out both units, which were really dirty.

So we're cool again. And that's all I'm going to say about air conditioning until I see snow flurries. I sure don't want to wake up those mean old air conditioning gods again!

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On 08/05/2007, Nita said ...

I really don't even want to imagine life without air conditioning. I had this happen to me last year in the middle of a heat wave. Talk about some cranky people around here, and I was the worst! Nita

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On 08/06/2007, Nita said ...

The fabric postcards are wonderful. I really love the ones that look like little beds. So sweet. Nita

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On 08/07/2007, Nita said ...

Susan, I nominated you for a Nice Matters Award. Go to my site right click on the award and save it in pictures and then nominate the people you want to receive the award. xoxo Nita
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On Dog Days and Dieting

If necessity is the mother of invention, then I know the South can take credit for air conditioning. Even though I grew up in this very town in a house with no air conditioner (not even a window unit), I cannot even imagine that I did so. Kids must be invulnerable to heat, I guess. Today the temperature is like 97 and the humidity is about the same. I can go outside for a couple of minutes and I feel like I'm suffocating. So I'm going to stay inside until October.

Sweet Daisy is visiting while Lori is in Houston visiting Miss Lily.So that's fun--for me, not for Sophie. Soph is being an absolute b---h! As she always is when Daisy visits. She's such a jealous doggie. Since Daisy came on Thursday evening, Sophie has destroyed the toy that Lori gave her for Christmas. I think it's meant as a warning to Lori. Lori was playing with Sophie with the toy just before she left this time; and she made the comment "This toy is indestructible." I think Sophie is saying "If I can destroy an indestructible toy, do you really think it's safe to leave your little dog here?" THAT DOG!

Yesterday, I used some of the last of the Chilton County peaches to make this Peach Crumb Pudding. I found the recipe in a book called Favorite Recipes from Quilters. It's a great little book with some wonderfully easy comfort food recipes. The type of things you like to feed the family or take to family reunions and church socials. The only negative thing about the book is that it has no photos--just great recipes.

Anyway, back to the Peach Crumb Pudding. You wouldn't believe how good it is served warm with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream. And it's so easy! There are only like four ingredients: peaches, sugar, flour, and butter. After taking his first bite, Vann said, "This is some bad stuff. What's it called?" When I told him, he said, "Well it should be called Peach Bad Stuff." BTW, Vann was using "bad" in the sense of being unbearable good.

Vann and I keep having these conversations wherein we speak of the fact that we both need to lose weight. These conversations are usually followed by the discussion and/or eating of some sinfully caloric dish or meal. This morning, we decided to go to Cracker Barrell for breakfast. While we were each downing a Sunrise Sampler, talk turned to the company for which we both worked at one time. This company has moved its offices into a new building. I allowed as how we should go by there sometime soon and see the new offices. We haven't seen any of our friends there for a couple of years now. Vann said, "Yeah, that's a good idea. But let's lose about 25 pounds first." I almost choked on my ham and biscuit.

Tonight we're having spaghetti and meat balls. But I swear, tomorrow, we go on a diet. Or maybe Monday. Karen sent us some kind of great-looking blueberry dessert today--plus there's still half of the Peach Crumb Pudding left. Well, sometime next week, we go on a diet.

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On 08/04/2007, Nita said ...

Losing weight is the hardest thing in the world to do. I lost 2 pounds this week, but it is hard. I love to cook and eat. Nita

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On 08/05/2007, Toni said ...

Dont those furry babies act just like children?...I have one myself, a little miniature Pinscher that is always competing with baby Violet. I swear I have two grandchildren! Love that quilters cook book, I have the exact one myself. The family favorite is the amish chilli.

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On 08/05/2007, Nicole said ...

Eeeew, dieting. I hate dieting. However, if you can just do it right one time, maybe you will never have to do it again. My problem is that I lost 35 pounds a couple of years ago, and just stopped losing. I need to lose 10 more to be where I want, yet I seem to be on a permanent plateau! At least I haven't gained, so that is a blessing. Just can't figure out what my problem is. Think I will go have some peach pudding and consider the issue.

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On 08/06/2007, Diane said ...

Daisy! She looks exactly like the first mutt I bought for myself as a semi-adult. Beau was a stunner with that wild hair and long legs. He could say, "Yum, Yum, Yum" when he was sitting on his butt in begging position. I almost had him signed for a dogfood commercial when he decided to take a ride.
He was last seen sitting in my husband's car waiting to go....but my husband came inside and Beau never did. I was inconsolable. We looked for him everywhere. Decided he hitched a ride and wound up in Las Vegas doing a lounge act. Anyway, on my very last trip to the pound looking for him, I just decided I was taking a dog home with me no matter which one. So then we had Razzberry.
What kind of dog is Daisy? I never knew what breed Beau was... mostly.
:D

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On 08/06/2007, sandi @ the whistlestop cafe said ...

Those puppies are precious and I don't blame Daisy one little bit. The thought of sharing my kibbles and bits would make me a little B*****y too!
Don't jump into the diet too soon... finish the peaches first!

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On 08/07/2007, Debra Spincic said ...

What a laugh!

We are staying inside today too! expected to be 102º. When I married Wes he said, "Oh, I have outdoor dogs." Yea, right. Not since I moved in. . . .
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Lily Britches: Front & Back

I made these little pants for Miss Lily Grace Ferguson, Lori's baby granddaughter. Grammie Lori is going to Houston in the morning for a few days, so I'm sending the pants. I think they're probably too large, but maybe Lily can wear them in a couple of months or so. They were fun and fast to make. Wear them well, Miss Lily, sweet girl.

This is Grammie Lori and Miss Lily shortly after Lily was born.

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On 08/02/2007, Nicole said ...

Those are the second cutest things I have ever seen. Lily--she is the cutest thing!

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On 08/03/2007, anita said ...

Oh, how cute! Maybe we'll see pictures of her wearing them. Good job—I especially like the pockets!

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On 08/03/2007, debbi said ...

Very Cute! You make such cute things.

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On 08/03/2007, nita from red tin heart said ...

The pants are so cute. Nita
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