A few facts on Friday

Hello again,

 So what did we do on our sabbatical you ask?  

Well - believe me - you sure have more hours in the day when you don't spend most of them admiring things on Pinterest.

I read tons of books: 

The whole Cat Who series as well as a good number of the Mrs. Murphy Mysteries.

I also read a series  the Ocean Breeze Novels by Sherryl Woods

I cleaned my house up real good and worked on some of the front yards landscaping issues

I even did a little crafting;.

I bought this paper mache mannequin at an auction the summer of 2012  - I finally got her finished

I made this super cute fairy outfit for my grand niece, for her birthday.
They said she loved it.   So I'm glad

And if your wondering what Genghis did. - - just take a look at the top of this picture.  He would just wear himself out snoopervising and have to catch a nap or two or three.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs,

Penny

Back to School

Hello everyone,

     I know!   It's been awhile since last I posted - but that doesn't mean, I didn't think of all of you.  I was taking a sabbatical from the computer.  I really needed to set better boundaries and priorities for myself.  Spent too much time on the computer and not enough time on anything else.  For now Genghis and I are back on a trial basis - to see if I can avoid all the distractions the Internet offers.  You know what I mean - Like Pinterest to name only one. 

     School started yesterday - in my neck of the woods - so I thought it only fitting that my first post should be along that same train of thought.

copied from my 1961 Ideals Scrap Book (book)

also copied from my 1961 Ideals Scrap Book (book)

   Hope you all have a great day.

Hugs,

Penny

May Is "National Stroke Awareness Month'

Hello everyone,

I didn't want too many days of the month to go by without posting about this very thought worthy event. 

 May is " National Stoke Awareness Month "

In this day and age - Strokes can happen to anyone.  We need to be aware of the signs and educate others of the sign - because with quick medical attention we can lower the risk of disability and death.


About 795,000 people in the U.S. will have a stroke this year, that translates into one stoke every 40 seconds. Yet most people cannot identify stroke warning signs or risk factors and most of those strokes are preventable--some studies indicate that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

. Did You Know?

· Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
· Stroke is a leading cause of adult long-term disability.
· By 2030, it is estimated that 4 million people will have had a stroke. This is nearly 25 percent higher than 2010 estimates.
· Stroke is an emergency! It’s important to learn stroke warning signs and how to respond to them. If given within three hours of the first symptom, there is an FDA-approved clot-buster medication that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.


The National Stroke Association offers a Stroke Awareness Resource Center with free downloadable stroke education information, graphics and ways to get involved in raising awareness.

Use FAST to remember the warning signs of stroke:

Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Hugs,

Penny

Happy May Day

Magickal Graphics







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~Magickal Graphics~

Happy Valentines Day

Hello evfurryone,
Purrs & headbutts to you.  Have a very Happy Valentines day.

Purrs,
Genghis

Wordless Wednesday

Bigify to read

Teacup Tuesday

Hello everyone,

It has been sometime since I've  joined Terri of Artful Affirmations and done a Teacup Tuesday post - but not very long since I bought my last teacup.  Just this last auction I went to I picked up this lovely one.

I love the softness of the roses on this cup.  So delicate to behold.

Set with my rose FTD teapot it looks feminine and in need of my favorite tea.  Don't you agree?

It is a Lefton Teacup  .But I am not sure how old it really is.  One day I must purchase the book about Lefton China.

For decades, Lefton has produced china that makes great gifts and collectibles. Lefton china was founded in Chicago in 1941 by George Zoltan Lefton, who had arrived from Hungary two years before. George Lefton admired delicate Oriental pottery and at the close of World War II he headed to newly occupied Japan to strike a deal to import Japanese made pottery under the Lefton name. The following year the first of these products arrived in the United States, bearing the mark “Made in Occupied Japan.” The quality was good and the price made the china accessible to most Americans.

Have a Wonderful Teacup Tuesday.

Hugs,

Penny

The Rain Keeps Falling - Emergency Life raft time?

Hello evfurryone,

Pellie has an Upper Respiratory Infection, whatever the heck that is?   I just thought she had a cold., but what do I know?  Any whooooooooo she doesn't feel like spending much time up out of bed so I best make this short.

It's another Rainy, cold day here in my little corner of the world, so all I can do is look out the front door at the world as it passes by. Not really much to see - an occasional car , a school bus or two and the mailman as he makes his appointed rounds.  Drat!!! No mail for us today.

Today is National Clean Out Your Computer Day, yet i don't foresee Pellie celebrating that one till she's feeling better.

She made this cute little picture before she got sick - so I just thought I'd share it with you.  I like all the kittens in it.

I'll probably do my vising later in the day - cuz now I got to go nap with Pellie.

Purrs,

Genghis

Auction Goodies - Postcards

Hello everyone,

It is cold and rainy here in my neck of the woods. The house is dark & gloomy, so I thought in an effort to cheer myself up; I'd show the post cards I purchased at the auction last weekend.

These are the holiday/birthday and generalized greeting ones

As you can see these all have people in them

These are the naughty one (which I blurred so as not to offend anyone).

Last but not least the animal/cat ones.

We didn't get to stay for the whole auction because Sir Knight had to work.  That was alright. I didn't see much more that I really liked or wanted,

Hope you all have a great day.

Hugs,

Penny

Wordless Wednesday

Valentines Day Decorating

Hello everyone,

I have been busy getting the house all decorated up for Valentines day.  Granted it's not as elaborate as Christmas decorating.  But every little decoration helps relieve some of winters gloom.

I used Fotor to make this collage

A couple weeks ago when Sir Knight was home sick - I had some time on my hands - where we had to be quite - sooo  -  I decided that was a great time to start on a valentines day banner to hang in my dinning room window.   I can't seem to get a good picture of it hanging up so I made this little collage to show you all the hearts that were made for it. 

When Sir Knight woke up he was intrigued and wanted to help - so we moved all the creative items to the bedroom on a card table and with a bed tray Sir Knight helped make some of the hearts..  Can you guess the ones he made?  Probably not, he really surprised me and let a little of his feminine  and kid sides out when he created..

This banner I made a couple years ago and I still love it - so the mantel was an excellent place for it to hang.

I spent so much time on line trying to find a free, easy to use, collage maker that I really need to get back to my chores.


Hope you have a great day.

Hugs,
Penny

Happiness Is Mancat Monday

Hello evfurryone,

Saturday before Pellie and Sir Knight abandoned me to go to an auction; Pellie played on the computer and came up with these super cool pictures of me.  She really likes playing on those photo manipulation sites and I really enjoy all the cool pictures she makes of me.

This guy would be one heck of a cool artist if he could really paint my portrait that good with spray paint.

Then he would be on the cover of Fame Magazine - instead of me.  But I must be humble - it is me on the cover.  MOL

Hope you all have a great day and a terrific week.

Purrs,
Genghis

LOL the Big Reveal

Hello everyone,

I really wasn't sure I'd make it to the computer today - I've been in bed with a migrain. but I am feeling a bit better right now.  Sooooooooo here I am.

Yesterday's mystery items where Knitting Nancy's, Knitting Knobbys, Bizzy Lizzys or a mired of other names.
I first learned of then as Spool Kniters and my father made me my very first one - way back when I was in first or second grade., by pounding 4 small nails into a spent wooden spool.

As you can see from the picture the distance apart of the pegs makes a big difference in the tightness of the knitted rope it makes.  For my Muffs wrist strap I used my clear knitter .  I also used it to make a rope for around my great nieces neck when I make her a little muff for Valentines day.

The others became toys for My favorite mancat - Genghis Khat.

Hey these are great.  You don't mind if I just help myself do you?

They kept him entertained all morning long.

That wasn't nice Pellie!  I will get back at you for making me look so silly

That's much better-  Thank you Sir Knight for taking a picture I can be proud of.

I slept and he played till he was exhausted then he came and snuggled  - what a wonderful day it was.  Headache and All.

Hugs,

Pellie

What is it Wednesday?

Hello everyone,

Today I decided to try something different and along with Genghis's Wordless Wednesday - I would hostess a few -  -   "What is it Wednesdays?"

So What do you think the items in the picture are?

These particular items are relatively new - but I used to use a similar type item when I was a very young girl.

I'll tell you all about them tomorrow.

Hugs,

Penny

P.S. It rained yesterday but it was warmer - so guess who had to take a short nap outside?

Purrs,
Genghis

Thinking & Creating

Hello everyone,

Do any of you recognize these cascading ruffled kind of scarves?

Have they made it as the next best thing in your neighborhood or are they on there way out of fashion already where you live?

Cheers

Well this fall,  they were hot in my neck of the woods.     And so I spent hours making them for Christmas presents for my family and friends.

Summer Garden

 The holidays are past and everyone has received their scarves.  So now I can now show off the ones I made for myself without letting the cat out of the bag so to speak.  Aren't they so nice and feminine?

 Yesterday while visiting a few of my blog friends - I had one friend who was showing off her winter head gear and while she was as cute as a button in her simple crochet/knit? hat - -  I do not.
I bemoaned to her my displeasure about what is available on the market for us older ladies who - prefer a more dignified yet feminine look than what is marketed mainly for the tweens & teens.  I don't want a moose.rabbit or any other kind of critter on the top of my head  nor do I want to look like Elmer Fudd.
By the time I got off the computer yesterday - I had my rankles up and decided to quit complaining and start doing something about it.

 I became a lady on a mission.

So I went downstairs and retrieved this old faux fur coat I had purchased at the Goodwill a while back.

I ripped it apart at the seams  and with the help of U-Tube and A Pattern by Jo-Anne Fabrics - I made myself this beautiful hand muff.

My hand are always cold  and gloves don't work very well, so I hope this does the trick.  It has two layers of batting and I used fleece as the liner material rather then the suggested satiny lining material.   It came out more like an envelope muff rather than the old fashion barrel muff I had hoped for but I figure it is a start.

                                

I made a wrist strap for it and crocheted the flower to decorate the outside.  

Now that I have the muff and scarf - I need to get out to the store to get a pattern for a hat I can adjust to my taste and need for warmth.

If any of you know of a elegant winter hat pattern , please let me know.  I really would appreciate it.

For now stay warm and have a great day

Hugs,
Penny

Rest & Recouperation

Hello evfurryone,

Wow!  The lats four days had been hard on me.

Sir Knight was home sick last Thursday & Friday so I had to really keep myself moving back and forth between Him and Pellie. Yea I know Pelllie was fine but I just couldn't ignore her and stay with Sir Knight -Could I?  Heck no. her feeling probably would have gotten all bent out of shape.  I mean -  it is my regular job to protect her when Sir Knight goes off to work and believe me he was in no shape to protect her so I had to do two jobs; protect Pellie and help Sir Knight feel better by the laying of my paws on him.

So today I've been taking it easy to recoup my strength.

Have a great week .

Purrs,
Genghis

National Handwriting Day

Hello everyone,

Just a short note in Celebration Of National Handwriting Day; which is Popularly observed on the birthday of John Hancock to encourage people to write more often and more legibly.

Look at these lovely old written pieces I gathered up at the "Graphics Fairy's Blog" .  Aren't they just beautiful.  

Way back when I was in school,  we reached 3rd grade and  learned to write by the Palmer Method.
We were never allowed to go back to printing again and I must admit I never looked back.  My handwriting has changed many time over the years but it still carries a bit of that old Palmer Teaching and remains legible.
No one ever complained about my penmanship and I was glad.

Especially when years of Nursing sent me screaming trying to read the handwriting of most of the doctors.

Well Sir Knight is calling, and I must rush off.

Please have an exceptional evening.

Hugs,
Penny

Check out my first swap items for the year.

Hello everyone,

In trying to get back into a routine - I decided I needed to get back into the habit of doing an ATC swap or two.  So I headed over to my favorite place to swap. Blissful ATC Swap and signed up for the January Swap.

The theme was vintage wallpaper -- say what! --- hummmmm what am I going to do with that???

What's that you say- we are exchanging three cards apiece - oh dear - what did I get my muse into?

My partner for the swap was Wendy from Art By Wendy.  This girl has an amazing blog and makes some pretty incredible art.   If you haven't ever visited her blog you might want to check her out.

These are the three cards she sent to me.  Aren't they  awesome. A lot of work and talent went into these.

I really love them.   Thanks again Wendy.

Then there was the question of what I was going to make - so I went to Wendy's blog and settled in reading some of her older post and things.  I kind of concluded that she liked Steampunk and that was a theme I could get into  - but how to incorporate that with vintage wallpaper?    Think.  Think.  Think.  

 These are the Cards I made for Wendy.  The background for all three card has some Vintage wallpaper That was left at an old Victorian house I owned in the 80's (1980's that is I'm not old enough for the 1880's)

The first one with the pretty young lady and her cat. is titled:  Going Steampunk to Winter Carnival.

The second one with my own version of a steam powered carriage parked in front of the house ( yes the wallpaper is visible through the window the carriage sits in front of) is titled  Steampunk Horseless Carriage.

 

And Last but not least - this one where all the accoutrements of the party are thrown willy nilly around the room  is titled:  After the Party.

I felt my muse pulled through for me after all and was quite happy with these cards. Sure hope Wendy liked them.

Well I best get busy with some of my other project.

Hugs,
Penny

A Cold and Crisp Winters Day for Mancat Monday

Hello evfurryone,
 Today it's really really cold out - but this past weekend - Oh man it was heavenly.  We had a nice warm 50
degrees and I made sure I headed out for a short snooze on my favorite chair and a little game of chase with my friend squirrel.   I don't know about you guys but i'm ready for summer.

Today is National Dress your Pet Day - I intend to go into hiding as soon as I finish my post - so Pellie doesn't get any ideas.  This mancat don't do dress up.

Oh oh, better go.


Purrs,
Genghis

Book Beat Friday

Hello everyone,

I have decided that the second and fourth Friday of every month I will have "Book Beat Friday".  It is at this time I will review the books I have read for the mystery challenge I entered  -  as well as any other books or items  I've read that I feel you might be interested in.

Sooooo without  further ado .   -    Welcome to my very first Book Beat Friday.

I decided to start this challenge off with "The Cat Who " series by Lillian Jackson Braun; because I had listened to one of the books in the series as and audio book on a car trip a friend and I made awhile ago and enjoyed it very much.  I always thought I'd read the whole series someday - but up until now never have.  So it looks like someday is here.

Title:                                  The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
Author:                               Lilian Jackson Braun
First Published:                 1966
Current Publisher:            G.P. Putnam's Sons  / New York

 From Inside dust cover:
"More than thirty years ago, Lilian Jackson Braun wrote the Cat Who could read Backwards and launched the phenomenally successful Cat Who ... mystery series...
The New York Times" raved that they were 'the New Detectives of the Year'"  and the Los Angeles Times called the book "a delight from beginning to end."

My thoughts and mussing:  

 That dust cover needs to be updated - its been 47 years since she wrote that first book.

With all the crime and violence we are witness to in our current society and on our TVs on a daily basis.  I wanted a mystery that was well written - yet on the light side. and this first book did not disappoint me.

In this first book we meet the main (human) character Jim Qwilleran.  Jim is a veteran reporter and war correspondent - who's life had taken a turn for the worse, with alcohol playing a big part in his downfall.
When our story first opens We find Jim trying to pull himself up by his proverbial bootstraps - he has taken a job with a very small town newspaper(one of the few even willing to give him a chance) called the Daily Fluxion.  His first day on the job - he is assigned to the Art Beat - not as Critic for that position is already filled - but rather to write fluff feature articles on who's who and what's up in the local art community.
Right from the get go Qwill (as his friends & co workers call him) is not impressed -  but he needs the job, so he agrees   The only bright spot in that awful situation is that Qwill's best friend from childhood, Arch Riker, will be his boss.

As he moves around and acclimates himself to the art community he finds that there is much more than first meets the eye.  George Bonifield Montclemen  the Fluxion's Art Critic provides rather shape tongued criticism that is responsible for most of the unrest Qwill hears and sees.  Montclemens provides more than that though - he offers Quill a wonderful apartment in his brownstone and introduces him to a very special Cat named  Kao K'o-Kung, who only dines on gourmet faire.  Since Montclemens travels a lot Qwill becomes obligated to take on the additional job. of cat sitter.  Koko and Jim do become fairly good friends and when the art community turns inside out with a stabbing death at a high class gallery and then the murder of Montclemens himself; man and cat go through some adjustment trying to understand the other but they work through it and in the end solve the mystery to everyone's satisfaction,


All in all - it was a light and fun read which I enjoyed very much and I hope all the rest are as well written.