Buckwheat Neck Pillow

This looks like exactly what I need to help save my neck, ha! Actually I have a weak neck and it is constantly causing my problems by giving my headaches, and I love these little pillows for the neck! Looks like getting the buckwheat is the hardest thing to this project!

 

There is also a video on how to make this on Martha's website.

This small, hourglass-shaped pillow, filled with buckwheat hulls, offers just the right amount of support for your neck while reading in bed. As stylist Cindy Treen advises, when buying buckwheat, perform a simple test to determine if the hulls are clean: Slide your hand into the container; if it's clean when you remove it, the hulls are suitable for use.

Tools and Materials
3/4 yard tightly woven fabric, such as strie taffeta
Buckwheat Neck Roll Template
Velcro
Buckwheat hulls
3/4-inch bias tape
Scissors
Pins

Neck Roll How-To
1. Download and print neck roll template. Using the template, cut out four "pillow" pattern pieces. Machine-sew the first two pieces together along the length of one side, from the top point to the bottom, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Repeat for the second set of pieces.

2. Pin the right sides of the pieces together, matching the center seam, and sew around the perimeter of the pillow, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Leave an opening at one end of the pillow between the center point and a side seam.

3. Turn the pillow right side out, fill it with hulls, and whipstitch it shut.

4. To make a sleeve for the pillow, use the "sleeve" template patterns to cut out two pieces of pattern A and three pieces of pattern B. With the straight sides at either end, pin the pieces, right sides together, in the order ABBBA. Sew the pieces together.

5. Cut two pieces of 3/4-inch bias tape to the length of the sides. Sew the bias and the sleeve side right sides together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Turn the bias to the back side of the sleeve, turn the bias under 1/4 inch, and topstitch it down.

6. To finish the ends, cut one piece each of the hook and eye sides of Velcro the length of the ends. The circumference of the sleeve may vary, depending on how much you've stuffed your pillow. Adjust its length as necessary, leaving enough fabric to allow for the overlapping Velcro plus 1/4-inch seam allowance.

7. Fold down one end 1/4 inch toward the wrong side of the sleeve, and press. Lay one side of the Velcro on top of this 1/4-inch fold, and topstitch the Velcro down around all four sides. For the other end, fold down 1/4 inch toward the right side of the sleeve, and press. Lay the remaining piece of Velcro over the folded edge, and topstitch it down around all four sides.

Resources
Strie lining can be purchased from Calico Corners. A magnetic seam guide is available from Sew Fast Sew Easy.

Special Thanks
Special thanks to Cindy Treen for demonstrating this craft.

Bubble Wands from Martha Stewart

Blowing the perfect bubble depends on equal parts science and magic. With a few twists of wire, you can make fantastic bubble wands and spend long, lazy days practicing your technique. The best bubble solution is 10 cups water to 4 cups dish-washing liquid, plus 1 cup Karo corn syrup. For large wands, you'll need plastic-coated wire coat hangers and either floral netting or plastic-coated chicken wire. Hold the hook at the top of the hanger, and pull the bottom down so that it forms a circle. Cut away the hook and twisted neck of the hanger with wire cutters; you should have about a 31-inch length of wire. With needle-nose pliers, twist a tiny hook into one end of the wire. Bend that end around, and hook it on the wire about 9 inches from the opposite end, forming a 7-inch-diameter circle. Squeeze the hook with pliers to fasten, and straighten the end to form a handle. Cut an 8-inch-diameter circle of floral netting. With pliers, fold the netting's edge tightly around the frame, snipping off any sharp ends.  For small wands, use 18-gauge cloth-covered wire cut to a length of 15 inches. Bend the wire into a lollipop shape, securing the end of the wire where the loop meets the handle with a dab of glue. To make a star, divide the circle into five even increments, then crimp with pliers. To make a heart, crimp only the top center of the circle. A tin can, with its top and bottom removed, also makes great bubbles -- carefully trim any sharp edges, dip one end in solution, and pull through the air to make one long bubble. http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/bubble-wands?xsc=eml_crd_2009_07_31

Too Pretty to eat Birthday cakes

I just LOVE this birthday cake and the beautiful colors, designs and flowers on it. This is made from a bakery in Provo Utah, called "The Sweet Tooth Fairy".

They have some beautful cakes and some really fun cakes too. They have one of a rubik's cube!

Check them out and go to their cake section (celebration cakes) too see more of their really creative cakes! They are just too pretty to eat! To order a sweet treat to be shipped, check out their online store.

Oh, No, SHE’S up!

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning
the devil says,
"OH NO, SHE'S UP"!

Do good works continually and make everyone stop and look at you in awe!

It’s what you scatter that you will be remembered by.

I was at the corner grocery store buying some
early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.


I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.


Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.


'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'


'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'

'Good. Anything I can help you with?'


'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' th em peas.'

'Would you like to take some home?'
asked Mr. Miller.


'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'



'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.



'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost.'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will.. Thanks Mr. Miller.'


Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.

With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.




When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store..'



I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.


Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.


Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and
moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.


Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand
and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.

They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'



'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho .'


With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral :
We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.


Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles
~ A plate of food you didn't make yourself...
An unexpected phone call from an old friend ....
Green stoplights on your way to work...
The fastest line at the grocery store...
A good sing-along song on the radio...
Your keys found right where you left them.



IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!

Weekend at the coast visiting with family

Well, this past weekend we were invited to go to the beach with my cousins, aunt and uncle. The Krikava's. We love visiting with them and always have a great time being in their company.

We took some fun pictures of the kids playing together.

You don't have to be a kid to have fun!

Food Measurement Equivalencies

I found this (as well as a few other) charts on McCormick's website. How handy is this?!!

Here is the link to check it out for yourself:

http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Cooking-Tools-and-Tips/Food-Equivalencies.aspx

 

How many sticks make up a cup of butter? The answer to this and more of your most pressing equivalency questions are below.

Out of an ingredient? Check out Flavor Substitutions for a quick fix.

INGREDIENT	UNIT OR WEIGHT	EQUIVALENT
Apples	1 medium-size	1 cup sliced
Bananas	1 medium-size	1/3 cup mashed
Bell Peppers	1 large	1 cup chopped
Butter, margarine or other fat	1/4 stick 1/2 stick (1/8 lb.) 1 stick (1/4 lb.) 2 sticks (1/2 lb.) 4 sticks (1 lb.)	2 tablespoons 1/4 cup 1/2 cup 1 cup 2 cups
Cabbage	1 lb. (1 small head)	About 5 cups shredded
Carrots	1 lb. (6 to 8 medium-size)	2 1/2 cups shredded or 2 1/4 cups chopped
Celery	1 stalk	1/2 cup chopped
Cheese	1 lb.	4 to 4 1/2 cups grated
Chicken breasts	1 1/2 lbs. (2 whole medium-sized breasts)	2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
Chocolate	1 oz.	1 square
Coconut	1 lb.	5 cups shredded
Cranberries	12 oz.	3 cups
Cream, heavy	1/2 pint (1 cup)	2 cups whipped cream
Cream cheese	3-oz. package	6 tablespoons
Currants	1 lb.	3 cups
Dates, pitted	1 lb.	2 1/2 cups
Eggs, whole	3 medium-size	Approx. 1/2 cup
Egg whites	4 medium-size	Approx. 1/2 cup
Egg yolks	3 medium-size	Approx. 1/4 cup
Flour, all-purpose	1 lb.	4 cups (sifted)
Flour, cake	1 lb.	4 1/2 cups (sifted)
Flour, rye	1 lb.	4 1/2 cups to 5 cups (unsifted)
Flour, whole-wheat	1 lb.	3 1/2 cups (unsifted)
Fruit and peels, candied	1 lb.	3 cups (cut up)
Gelatin, unflavored	1 envelope	1 tablespoon
Green beans	1 lb. (4 cups)	2 1/2 cups cooked
Lemon	1 medium-size	2 to 3 tablespoons juice, 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons grated rind
Lettuce	1 medium-size head	6 cups torn into bite-size pieces
Lime	1 medium-size	2 tablespoons juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons grated rind
Macaroni	1 cup (3 1/4 oz. uncooked)	2 to 2 1/2 cups cooked
Noodles	1 cup (1 1/3 oz. uncooked)	1 to 1 1/2 cups cooked
Nuts, whole (shelled) almonds peanuts pecans walnuts	1 lb. 1 lb. 1 lb. 1 lb.	3 cups 3 cups 4 cups 3/2 cups
Orange	1 medium-size	1/4 to 1/3 cup juice, 3 to 4 teaspoons grated peel
Peaches, pears	1 medium-size	1/2 cup sliced
Potatoes	1 lb. (3 medium-size)	2 cups cubed or 1 3/4 cups mashed
Raisins	1 lb.	3 1/4 cups
Rice	1 lb. 1 cup (uncooked) 1 1/2 cups packaged precooked	2 cups 3 cups cooked 3 cups cooked
Spaghetti	8 oz.	5 cups cooked
Spinach	1 lb.	3 cups or 12 cups torn into bite-size pieces
Strawberries	4 cups whole	4 cups sliced
Sugar: brown confectioners granulated superfine	1 lb. 1 lb. 1 lb. 1 lb.	2 1/4 cups firmly packed 3 1/4 cups 2 cups 2 cups
Tomatoes	1 medium-size	1/2 cup chopped