A GIFT FROM A FRIEND

I fascinated by Julie's email address, so......I just asked her about it! It seems that Bagpuss is a beloved character in England. In books. On TV, I think. He's just adorable.

I was-and am-getting ready to order Bagpuss. I went to the mailbox earlier this week and Bagpuss was there waiting for me. I can't thank Julie enough.

He's found a home on a bookshelf in my den. He's on Rose's shelf. That's the two of us (Rose and me) playing around in the photo. And my new friend is there, too, standing guard.

Thanks again, Julie

CAJUN CREATIVITY

The pictures from Saturday's parade are ready. Go to my kodak album site (password is rosecottage), click on My Gallery, and then Mardi Gras 2009.

Tomorrow is Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) and the end of festivities (and king's cake). Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which begins 40 days of Lent, leading up to Easter.

Traditionally Mardi Gras is a time of total fun. True, there maybe a LITTLE drinking going on, but Saturday's parade is proof-perfect that you can still have all the fun with nothing to ask forgiveness for the next day. Except for over-eating.There was a lot of barbecue, jambalaya and white beans. It's great fun catching all those beads (which will go on my Mardi Gras tree next year).

Google "Mardi Gras" for some great info and pictures.

A GOOD TIME ON SATURDAY

Here is the Loose Feathers Keepsake Box and Pin Cushion that I finished last week. I used fabric, threads, all the materials it called for. The lining fabric was my choice: I like anything that is old fashioned English rosy looking. It didn't take anytime to do the stitching and a couple of days to put the box together. The only thing different was that I didn't put the center divide.

We took the day off and went to Springfield yesterday. It was great and the parade was a hoot. Hopefully tomorrow I can download the pictures and get them online by Tuesday, which is Mardi Gras. My pastor mentioned the holiday in his sermon today. I wanted to jump up and yell that not everyone takes the opportunity to get rousing drunk. Some people just enjoy the beads, food and family time. And it wouldn't hurt some Baptist folk to do without for 40 days, either. Food would be a good choice!! Oh, I've found the best King Cake. The ones yesterday were from the Navarre Bakery in Springfield. I think I'll make a pilgrimage tomorrow. They (the cakes!) go away for a year starting Wednesday. These were WONDERFUL. Not pre-made pastry like Albertson's or Winn Dixie. And the cream cheese filling tasted like sweetened marscarpone. The icing wasn't in dark Mardi Gras colors. They were pastel. Oh, my mouth is watering. No wonder I'm a hundred pounds overweight.

There's no news on my friend's killer. She stays with me, in my mind, all the time. I hope the police will catch the creep soon. The Bible says to forgive. This one will take awhile to forgive-and forget, if ever. Prayers are appreciated.

THE LOSS OF A FRIEND FAR TOO SOON

I had been feeling pretty sorry for myself today: trip to the doctor, not being able to see my grandchildren until tomorrow. Then things fell into the proper perspective.

I have been on the ABC Board (Alcoholic Beverage Control) with Chiquita Tate for several years. She was so intelligent, so caring, so funny. She called me the "old lady", one of the few people who could get away with this. She wore the craziest shoes: sometimes odd clothes. Clunky jewelry. She drove a huge maroon hummer. She always spoke her mind.

I sat just across from her and sometimes we exchanged glances, showing if we agreed or disagreed on a matter. I always listened to her and reminded myself quite often that, if I were ever involved in a criminal matter, I would call her first.

Last night someone went into her office and very brutally murdered her. Stabbed her multiple times. She was only 34 years old. So much left to do. She was found this morning. As I sit here writing this I remember over and over that she was alive this time last night.

I hope Chief LeDuff and his guys find the murderer soon. And I can think of several of us who would like to spend some quality time with her killer. I can honestly say that I can be creative when I put my mind to it.

I'll see Chiquita again. She was a Christian and didn't mind admitting it. She will be forever young. And this old world will be much less of a place without her.

So Chiquita, rest easy. And "have a good one".

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/39907042.html

A SPECIAL KISS

I "borrowed" this picture from Coral at A Stitcher's Life. I kept going back and back to look at it. All of you may remember the picture from several weeks ago of the firefighter rescuing the little koala from the Australia fires, giving her a drink from a bottle of water. This is a recent photo of the two meeting again. Koalas are supposed to be naughty little creatures-a bit ill-tempered. Not this cutie now named Sam.

One of my 1,000 things to do before I die is to pet a koala. They are SO cute.

And this firefighter must be some special gentleman. But I don't want to pet him!!!

Thanks, Coral

AH CHEW, COUGH, COUGH

We have the most unusual weather here. It can be 40 degrees one day and 70 or 80, the next. Of course, everyone gets sick. A nasty respiratory virus. Naturally, I got it. It started Sunday night and my chest is still congested and I'm coughing so much my throat hurts. Thank goodness for Mucinex and Robitussin.

The good news is that ENT specialists make a fortune down here. The bad news is that it's possible to re-infect. I had this stuff in the fall. Here we go again.

So, hang on for a few days. I have a couple of finishes to snap. Unfortunately my attention span is short right now, so stitching is here and there. I am ready for the Friendship Sampler RR to get under way.

Ta, Marian

VALENTINE'S DAY--EARLY

These beautiful flowers came this morning. DH sent them, of course! He has such good taste. And Mary Margaret at Marino's knows that I have a thing for pretty containers. This one is definitely a keeper. We're supposed to go to a Senior Adult Valentine Banquet tonight-when did I get to be a Senior Adult?????? Tomorrow is a wedding at Most Blessed Sacrament. Good day for a wedding. I don't know either party but they are clients of David's. Besides, Catholic weddings and receptions are ever so much more fun than Baptist ones. Can't believe I said that!

On the stitching front, I have the starting heart in place for the Friendship Sampler Round Robin. It will go to the next person-which happens to be Ann- and eventually will go to Canada and the Netherlands. I'm going to do it in the original colors because they're the colors in my house. I had originally planned to do a companion piece to match with names of my "ancestors" on it. Now I'm thinking I will use the fabby for Papillon Creations Ring O' Roses, and stitch it up as the stitching necessity. I pulled the colors in DMC but am now considering the GAST colors, which will be more muted. It is really a pretty piece.

All for now. It's been a ho-hum day-other than the flowers- and I could be persuaded to stay at home tonight.