give away!!

Since my camera has still not found it's way home I don't have any photos of my own to share.  I hope it will be back soon, there is so much I want to document and share.  Anyway, there is a really cute apron being given away by the Secret Stitch Club  I'm hoping I win it, but if I don't maybe someone I know can and I will share your happiness.  They also have a killer looking recipe for Key Lime cupcakes in the same post.  If you make some, brew up a pot of coffee and give me a call.  I'd love to try them, but I'm just not in the baking mood today.

Post Without Pictures

I hate post without pictures!  I left my camera at a baby shower Saturday and of course there have been some really neat photo opts since then.  I'm not very good at photography, but there were opportunities that ....... well, I missed them so I won't belabor the point.  I've had a nice weekend with a baby shower, two parties and a fantastic church service!  Hopefully I'll have my camera back tomorrow and something blog worthy to say.

Painting Blind

Check out this blind artist. His name is Ricky Trione and he paints!  We saw him recently and he is really amazing!  His story is pretty unbelievable, and he is incredibly inspiring!  Did I mention that he paints and he's blind?  I'm not talking abstract either!  His paintings are bright and vibrant, mostly of local fish and wildlife.  They are very beautiful.

While telling his story to local children he made several raised pictures with fabric paints and  taught them to do rubbings from the raised pictures.  I know every child in attendance left feeling like there is nothing they can't do.  I did, well, I'm pretty sure I still can't carry a tune, but other than that... 

Birthday and Baby Sling

We celebrated Scooter's birthday last night.  She is such a doll, she enjoyed her party and knew it was all about her.  I love my family.  I can truly say that my family are my best friends.  I am really blessed to be related to some wonderful people.  

I sewed a baby carrier sling for my daughter to help her carry sweet cheeks, who for some reason doesn't like to hold on when she is being carried.  I figured when the new baby gets here she can use it with him too.  It is reversible with a stripe on the other side.  I think it can be used as a nursing cover too.  Sweet Cheeks isn't crazy about being confined by it though.  

Daddies!

Happy Father's day !

To my dad

and to my kid's dad

It's only June!

It is hot as blazes!  I can't believe it's only June, I can't imagine what August will bring, whew!!  The heat index has been over 100 for the past three days, and looks like more of the same.  It is good weather for sewing, I don't even feel like going out and watering the flowers.  

I spent most of the day with Scooter Pie, she is such a sweetie.  We had a great day, spent a very short time at the pool.  Even at 4:30 it was too hot to swim.  We had to run an errand and I stopped at a little yard sale and hit the jackpot.  I'll try to get pictures tomorrow, but I got some really nice vintage glass for a song, and I sing off key!

Summer Fun

Some of the fun things the kids are enjoying this summer are vacation Bible school, the summer library program, swimming, helping in the garden, bubbles, and pretend play.  Last night they dressed up in different garb and came into the kitchen with different names and agendas.  Later they played in the kitchen cooking up pretend food which they wanted us to try.  (I don't know about you but most of the time I'd rather eat their pretend food than share their slobbered on real food, but it's so hard to say no to those sweet faces who sincerely want to share with you!)  Later when Gran came home he decided to let them play barber shop on him.  The crazy man went and got his beard groomer, fully charged, and let them buzz away at his beard!  Now I must tell you that he did instruct them to use it backward, so supposedly it wouldn't cut the hair, but when do preschoolers ever totally follow the instructions?  I guess they sensed his trust level because he came out unscathed, and the girls really did have a blast.  It kept them occupied for a long time and now they are experienced barbers.  So.....who's next?

Slobsville

I am a slob.  There, I said it.  I don't like the fact, and I don't mean to be it's just that I like stuff, and well, stuff takes up space, and space runs out, and I don't like to part with my stuff. 

I've been cleaning for the past two days because we are having company Tuesday.  Yes, it does take me five days to get ready for someone to stay at my house.  Why, you ask?  I already told you:  I am a slob!!!  I'm not the dirty kind of slob.  You won't find half eaten food or grotesque garbage lying around.  It's more stacks of books, too much clutter, cabinets that won't close, that sort of stuff. 

 I have a basket by my bed with journals, spiral notebooks, magazines, a Bible, drawing books and a few pens.  I started cleaning it out and was appalled when I counted twenty various journals or notebooks by my bed alone!  All but two were written in, most at least half full of various thoughts as scattered as my house.  Prayers, poems, thoughts, notes, grocery list, to do list, math problems, and stories all in the same book.  Some have writing in the front and toward the back with at least fifty blank pages in between.  Now in my defense they are in a basket, not scattered all over the floor, and they did not all originate by my bed.  I think last time I had company I found them on bookshelves, by my chair in the living room, and by the computer and combined them all and put them into a basket so I could use them all up before starting any more, but TWENTY!  

The sad part is that is only one area of my sloppiness.  There are more, like dishes.  I love dishes, mostly vintage, mostly cups and saucers, and tea pots, and pitchers, and  nesting bowls, alright, alright all dishes.  They don't have to match, or even have a color scheme (although I am partial to red or jadeite.)  They are in every room of the house, yes, including the bathroom.  I don't need anymore dishes.  My cabinets are full and I don't even use some of them.  I don't have that many plates though, really. So where do you put the food when the pantry is full of old stuff?  

I know I need help.  Is there a vintage anonymous?  Or a support group for journal junkies?  What about books?  Is it bad to have thirty-three books along with the twenty journals by your bed?  Who only reads one book at a time anyway?

Good Things

The two oldest girls spent the night last night.  I woke up to the call of "Miiiiimmmmiiii" followed by snuggle time with Scooter, during which I answered at least 28 questions.  After taking them to Bible School I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast, cooked by my lovely daughter,  of whole wheat, blueberry pancakes with real butter and fresh maple syrup,  YUMMY!  This was followed by a trip to the fabric store, very nice.  

After the fabrics store I received a call saying company is coming Tuesday, oops! change of plans for the rest of the day, well the rest of the weekend actually.  I have to get in high gear and clean house!  I don't particularly like to clean house, but I've been complaining about needing to do it for weeks.  Now that  I have a reason I will probably actually get it done.  It is the one thing I do better under pressure.  One room down, all the rest to go, maybe I'll finish by Tuesday.  

After I finally sat down to dinner my daughter came by again and asked if I wanted to go to the local farmer's market, you know the one I didn't make it too last week.  It was after six so I wasn't sure they would still be set up, they were and I bought some really lovely produce.  It has been a nice day.

Peaceful Pastural Scene

Just had to share this peaceful scene I came across while running errands today.  A bit of peace in the midst of a very hectic day.

Farmer's Market and 4 Generation Lunch

Friday morning early my daughter, who I need a bloggy name for, called to see if I wanted to ride with her to my mom's and go with them and the girls to the Farmer's Market at a town close by.  I've heard a few friends talking about the market and I said, "sure, if you can have me home by 1:30."  So she picked me up and we headed to my mom's, and then to the market.  Upon arrival we saw a large sign announcing "Farmer's Market 4 p.m."  So we decided to do the only logical thing find somewhere and eat. 

 We settled on a favorite sandwich shop/bakery, and munched and gabbed and laughed at the girls, especially Sweet Cheeks who grabbed for her sister's pickle and chomped away, then came the face, followed by another bite and another face.  She wouldn't give it up but every bite had a face.  She's such a funny little girl.  

It isn't often all four generations get together for lunch.  It was really nice.  

Cool site to make funky pictures from your own photos at befunky.com

Great site and giveaway

I spent quite a bit of time today plundering a very interesting blog called Ravenhill.  You really should check it out.  The pictures are lovely as is her sewing and embroidery.  There are lovely quilts, croquet, knitting, and felt projects pictured.  It is really a wealth of information!  Anyway, a great couple of giveaways are being hosted there and the gifts are for the first giveaway a sewing magazine called Sew Hip from the UK, and the other gift is beautiful fabric and various surprises.  So run on over there and check it out at http://ravenhill.typepad.com/weblog/  Good luck!

Sweet Summer

Nothing like popsicles on a hot day.

Of course a pile of books and a rocking chair can be nice too, 

or playing princess, 

or throwing paper airplanes.

Maternity sewing

I made this cute little summer top for Megan from Simplicity pattern 2962.  It is not a maternity pattern, but it works for one.  It looks really cute on her.  

Tea Time

The ladies at our church hosted a very nice tea for our son and his new family.  I love wedding showers or teas.  There is such a feeling of love and community present when a couple is showered with gifts and blessings as they start their new life together.  In this age of technical communication it is nice to be a part of something as personal and connective as a tea.  Everyone welcomed our son's new family with open arms and genuine happiness for their embarkment into the adventure of marriage. 

My camera was passed around and several people took pictures, most of which were blurry.  I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who gets unfocused pictures with a self focusing camera. LOL!  Anyway here are a few shots that are clear enough to see.

I made my daughter-in-law an apron for one of her gifts.  My son said, "hey, I'm sure I'll look really cute cooking in this."  See him modeling it?