I have purchased my own website where I blog and write articles about local community events, my outdoors adventures, my spiritual journey and (finally) my artistic journey. Click a link and follow me over there!
Peace and Many Blessings,
Kimberly Mason, p/SSG
Some days writing is like pulling teeth from the mouth of an angry hippo with sore gums and a bad attitude — it’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.
And other days? Well, other days it’s a walk in the park — or around the lake. I love my job!!!
You can read the Lewis County Outdoors section of The Chronicle online, if you like. If not, let’s move on to quiltmaking …
Sunday I bought a jelly roll of batiks at Sister’s, YUM!
I’m going to make another quilt just like the last quilt. I really LOVE the pattern, but I’ve made it once and just about have it memorized. Would YOU like to have my pattern? If so, leave comment here and I’ll draw names from a hat by … hmmm, Friday night sew-in time.
It’s time for the Friday Night Sew-In and I’m SO in!
I am crazy in love with my new quilt. This one is for ME and I’m tossing that old ugly Lazy Boy quilt for this new, happy, full of joy Dashing Girl quilt.
I’ll be cuddling under my new quilt just as soon as I hit “Publish.”
It’s a good life!
I went into Sister’s today and look what I brought home, “Central Park” by Moda. Wheeee! I bought the pattern, the jelly roll, a charm pack (just cuz) and some yardage for backing and extras and while I paid for the fabric, the inspiring company was free. (On Sundays “Sisters” should be called “Mothers & Daughters,” cuz that’s who is working the counter.)
Isn’t it beautiful!?!? (Okay, so the picture could be better, but can you tell I’m excited?)
I have been eying this fabric line for a couple of weeks now, but when I found out it was called “Central Park” I HAD to get it! I’m getting ready to buy a ticket for New York for a little visit and I’ve been a bit scared about it. Now I have my Central Park quilt to lend me courage.
Today piecing and sandwiching, tomorrow quilting. Yay!!
BTW, I haven’t been blogging here, but I have been photo blogging elsewhere at The (Almost) Daily Bird.
I’ve been working on creative, colorful projects. I just haven’t worked on any in FABRIC lately.
I need to get this figured out. I NEED to! I spend a lot of evenings collapsed in front of the TV, I’m wondering if I couldn’t be spending that time better in The Studio? It’s a tough switch … feels kinda like giving up smoking. But in the long run, it also feels like it would be OH SO MUCH healthier!!
These two pictures are from today’s paper. I’m patting myself on the back today, because I have a feeling I’ll be kicking my own backside for the next couple of days while I struggle to get stories to replace the three (yes, count ’em THREE) failed stories due to run this week and next. (Gee, I’d better hope my editors have WAY more important things to do than read my blog, eh? haha)
Yes, I know, the photo is blurry. But that’s all I’ve got left tonight, all my energy went into my day out and about with a reporter’s notebook (opening day Centralia Little League, Citizenship Day at the college, the a Civil War event at the Veteran’s Memorial Museum), then Walmart, then a walk to the pond to check out the wild life … now I’m drinking a Dick’s Danger Ale and doing my taxes online. (Don’t worry, I don’t owe any money and they aren’t the least bit complicated … my grandkid could do them for me.)
Good day!
I made these two zippered purses last night at the Sew-In. It is the first time I’ve sewn a zipper (well) in a looooong time. (Yes, I’ve sewn one badly, but just not well).
Good day! (Oh yeah, I already said that. :P)
I filled the pink bag with a half dozen lip glosses and the coffee bag with a reporter’s emergency kit. Tea bags, pencil sharpener, spare pens and a Power Bar.
Good day! (I mean to say that … this time.)
It’s time for the Friday Night Sew-In and I’m SO in! I need this excuse reason to schedule a time to sit down and sew!
Friday is also my oldest son Stosh’s birthday, what a perfect opportunity to work on his Delectable Mountains quilt!
Hit the link and go sign up. I’ll meet you there, in the cyber-space sewing room. You’ll know me by my hot pink bathrobe and my etched-flames wine glass. I think I’ll pick up a bottle of “Badass Blackberry” from the Wells Winery at the new Veggies store in Chehalis (next to Sunbirds).
I have been buying the Kodiak pancake mix for a couple of years, so GOOD and so good for you too! I used the excuse of a visit from my baby boy to make the brownies. OMGoodness, such chewy goodness!! AND wholegrain.
Dave’s Killer Bread is, well, killer bread.
The Raw Green Bush Tea, Orange Red Carrot, by Republic of Tea is smooth and delicious. I love to start my day with it, even before I have a cup of coffee. It just makes me happy.
“If you could taste sunshine, it just might taste like this,” it says on the website. I believe it.
Buddy the WonderDog will do ANYTHING for a Sweet Potato Chew.
JessieDog favors the Fruitables … a lot. A LOT lot.
It has rained every day for most of the day for almost two weeks solid. There are rumors flying around, saying that we may see the sun on Friday, or maybe even Thursday.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
I spotted this little Rufous Hummingbird in the tree outside my mom’s breakfast room on Sunday. Isn’t he a stunner!
“If we could see the miracle of a single flower, our whole life would change.” ~The Buddha
I bought some new shoes to wear to my new job …
I’m an Outdoors writer. It’s official. Life is GOOD!
I am responsible for filling up two pages with outdoorsy news — hunting, fishing, clamming, mountaineering, hiking, birding, biking, etc. I am beyond excited.
If you’d care to look, go to Lewis County Outdoors to see what I’m writing.
From left to right:
A Book: The Nature Principle by Richard Louv
A Person: Karen (not pictured). Find her here and here. She sent the book (above) with a note.
“Kim: I very willingly pass along my copy of this book because I know in your capable hands, word will spread. Enjoy, Karen.”
The book title will be published in tomorrow’s local paper inside my Bird Word column, Karen, along my own personal take on the issue. I’ll post the link tomorrow.
A Novel: The Girl Who Chased the Moon: A Novel by Sarah Addison Allen. I’m absolutely enchanted by this modern fairy tale. I don’t want to finish reading it! Can’t it go on for ever … ?
A Cocoa: Organic Sweet Moose Gourmet Hot Chocolate, Mayan Spice. I bought this cocoa at my local health food store. Needs NO marshmallows to enhance the flavors. Pure, spicy yuminess.
And if you DON”T love an Alabama Gal, then I’ll bet you don’t know one. (Hey, Miss Cindy W.!)
I was driving into town the other day — and as you may know, if you are a southerner or know a southerner, “the other day” might mean last week or last year — in this case, it means 9 days ago … anyway — I spotted this cute little KIA from Alabama with a heck of a license plate.
“I GOTTA P” must be a Forrest Gump fan.
I wonder if this car belongs to the Alabama lady I met in cooking class at Once Upon a Thyme the other day? She is a new quilter and is in town for the growing season.
Her name is Prissy. Prissy Head. And “Yes, that is my real name,” she said.
And no, I didn’t ask. Heck and good golly, I had a grandmother named Dot … not short for Dorothy, just Dot. I think it’s and absolutely charming name for very pretty Southern Belle.
So Bobbi and Linda, if she comes by your shops, I sent her!
BTW, is there anyone else out there like me and my boys who will drop whatever they are doing and watch the movie Forrest Gump when ever we happen to see it’s on as we scroll through the channels? It doesn’t matter where they are in the movies or what we’re doing, we watch.
And for those of you that haven’t seen this object in a while, it’s called the “Sun.” This elusive beast is rarely seen in the Pacific Northwest this time of year, but I was up and out of bed early enough to capture it before it slipped away again.
Guess what I’m going to go do RIGHT NOW!?! I’m headed into the studio. Yay!!!
Love to you all, Kim.
These three things are brand new experiences for me …
And this, dear friends, is the menu from Joy’s Once Upon a Thyme: a deli, specialty foods shop and the home of monthly cooking classes in Chehalis.
Holly the Photog and I attended Joy’s cooking class Monday night for a story that will be coming out next Wednesday. I’m telling you now, sign up for her class before it fills up — which it will as soon as my article comes out. I guarantee.
The next class will be centered around asparagus. It will be amazing. For $35 you get the recipes, the lessons, the options AND a multiple course meal. She will feed you from appetizer to dessert and they’ll have to roll you home.
AND it will all be good for you. Yup, good for you and delicious. April 11. Be smart, eat healthy. See you there!
And speaking of good for you and delicious, I
am LOVING this greek yogurt.
It’s called “FAGE” (pronounced “fa-yeh!” is says on the side of the carton.) The “sweetness” is on the side, not mixed in, so you control how much you add to each bite.
It’s creamy, it’s delicious, it’s the best thing ever. (That means it’s probably actually bad for you!)
So far, out of the four flavors I have tried, I haven’t had to use but half of the sweet side with my yogurt — but I finish it up anyway as a kind of ultra sweet dessert treat at the end.
Another new favorite is this view. This is what I see when I get up in the morning and walk out of my bedroom door into my living room.
This view took my breath away the other day and I just had to take this picture so I could remember the feeling.
My floor and walls and curtains (that my mom bought for me!) hung up are all the work of my son Stosh. The view, free of blackberry bushes, Stosh.
Then there is the XBox drum set, a gift from my bestie. The chair that Buddy the WonderDog and I sit in and the couch that JesseDog calls her own.
Life is just that damned good, folks. Really. And there is life after love. Honest.
Now, if I could only find time to get into my studio …
BTW, have you seen my bird blog lately? Lots of new and fun stuff going on over there. Go see The Daily Bird and meet Lover Ducky and his friends.
Spring is coming, and this isn’t a lonely groundhog seeing or not seeing his shadow on a February morn. This is a pair of ring-necked ducks telling you, “Hey! It’s time to find someone special! Spring is here!”
This series of pictures was taken down at the South Pond in my backyard …
I’ve made a little progress each day for two whole days. I’m so proud of myself I’m going to fix myself a lovely cup of hot cocoa with three giant marshmallows.
*singing* Cuz he’s got, hiiiiiigh hopes. He’s got, hiiiiiiiigh hopes. He’s got. High apple piiiiiiiie in the. Skyyyyyyy hopes.
(heh heh. Hower you enjoyin’ the Ear Worm I just sent ya?)
I'm a 49 year old Quilter, Episcopalian
, and Lover of Words. I'm of mixed heritage (1/2 Ozark Hillbilly, 1/2 Southern Belle), I live in the Pacific NW and I love to talk about my family, quilting and country living.
Oh, and I'm SINGLE (in case you're wondering).
I am a freelance writer, outdoors columnist and photojournalist who loves meeting people while they are doing what they love and listening to them talk about their passions.
I live a Creative, Joy-filled Life in love with God, all creation and my neighbor (that means you). It's my vocation. I hope that one day, if I practice long and hard enough, I might get good at it.
I WOULD LOVE for you to leave me a comment or you can send me an email.
"Ascension Day Banner"
May 2009, for St. Timothy's Episcopal Church and in memory of Ginger
36" x 52", Machine Pieced and Quilted
"The Four Seasons"
January 2009, Mom's Birthday
21" x 22", Machine Pieced and Quilted
"Ruth's Maple Leaf Jumble"
December 2008, from Ruth B. McDowell's Piecing Workshop, 18" x 24", Machine Pieced and Quilted
"Out of the Darkness..."
Advent 2008, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church
29" x 54", Hand Pieced & Embroidered, Machine Quilted
prayers for an oft traveled road
One Year Here
an oft traveled road 