I've Been Gonna...

Many years ago, I got a call from my oldest and dearest friend, who had recently lost her mother. She and her sisters needed to clean out, divide up and organize their mom's belongings and cull out and sell what they did not want. But they were at a loss as to how to go about doing this, and, when they knew what they were going to sell, how much it would be worth. She asked for my help.

So my darling daughter and I packed up and went to Oregon for a long weekend.

Amidst (and despite) the heartache and loss and frustration and sadness, I learned something that weekend that I have taken to heart and that I want to pass on to anyone who cares to read this...

This dear lady obviously loved handiwork and making things. Her husband had build her an enviable shop/workroom where she had her sewing machines, quilting racks, and projects all beautifully set up and organized. (I cannot begin to say how much I would LOVE a space like that for myself!)

I took box after box and container after container of yarn, fabric and patterns, from the shelves. Each one was labeled: "make quilt for _______", "crochet afghan for ______", "this fabric and pattern would make a cute dress for ______". Mind you, it was not just five or six boxes...but dozens...an overwhelming number of never-to-be-done projects.

I do not know what this lady did accomplish in the way of projects, but it was painfully obvious what she did not accomplish! And that weekend, I vowed not to become that lady...the lady who always says (as my husband loves to say), "oh, I've been gonna do that".

As a person who loves Stashes, and who is constantly on the lookout for bundles of paper, yarn, fabric, patterns, etc, at yard sales and estate sales, I am prone to piling up a lot of projects. So, every few years, I go through things and clean them out. A lady like me needs to be able to lay her hands on the things she needs to put a project together. And here in Montana, you do not just jump in the car and run down to the Craft Store, (although we did just last year get a Hobby Lobby in Missoula!). But I am not kidding when I say that it takes an hour and a half to get from my house to a craft store!

So, I have my stashes to keep me busy and entertained. And every January, I make a list of projects I want to make in the new year (it is kind of like my New Year Resolution list). However, I routinely clean things out and give them away or sell them. No doubt there is somebody else who will love a good deal on a great stash!

And I sew, crochet, knit, scrapbook, cross stitch, embroider, and bead things I intend for the people I love. I do not just look at them and say, "oh, I've been gonna make that..."!

Needlework Kits

If you love needle crafts as much as I do, no doubt you know how terribly expensive and investment a needle work kit of any kind can be. For some years now, I have wanted to try my hand at making wool felt candle mats or table runners. I have seen so many cute ideas on Pinterest! But what an investment! Then I discovered that yard sales, estate sales and thrift stores are the best places to find good deals on needlework kits! Granted, you have to take whatever there is to offer and you do not have a lot of choice in what is there. But for pennies on the dollar, it can be worth it!

I picked these kits up along the way of the 50 Mile Yard Sale this summer, and I paid $2.50 apiece for them! The ones that had price tags still on them had sold for $25- $30 each! And the kits I did not care to save to make, I turned around and sold on ebay for a profit, so Win-Win!

Easy Chili Rellenos

Our family loves Chili Rellenos. But the actual process of making them (which I have done enough to assure you) is at best, time consuming. So they did not get them very often, usually from a restaurant.

Then, I happened upon this recipe and our Chili Relleno lives were changed forever! We like this recipe without the burger and onions. And I always double it.

I get the large cans of Ortega Chilis at Walmart or Winco (here in western Montana, those two stores have the best selection of Latin Foods). That is also where I find Cotija cheese for the filling. Then you just oil the pan, split and drain the peppers, cut the cheese and wrap it up in a chili. Line the stuffed chilis in rows, make the egg mixture and pour it over the chilis. Sprinkle amply with cheese and back until the egg is firm. They are as delicious at room temperature as they are hot, and as good for a brunch as a dinner!