Sweet little...

Polly Gayton is finished and framed. This was an enjoyable sampler to stitch. From start to finish it took me around three weeks to complete. Initially, I wasn't excited about the charted colors of silk, as they are very muted and of similar shades, however, then end result is nice. It was stitched on 40ct Lakeside (vintage something) Linen.

This is my spot...

to sit and stitch on our patio. The last couple
of days have been really wonderful, weather wise.
I like nothing better than spending some time curled
up in the rocker with my needlework or a good book.
It is quiet and peaceful with the exception of chirping
birds, and the buzzing of the bees in the rosemary.
For those of us who patiently wait (sometimes not so)
for our hot summer to end, this is our pay off. After
breaking a record for (too) many consecutive days
over 110 degrees this year, I'd say we deserve all
the beautiful days to come.

It's an ugly duckling now...

but wait till it has a new coat of paint. I really
wanted to sleep in this morning, but I also wanted
to check out a flea market that was being held at
a local antique mall. After some much needed Java,
and a cup to go, I headed out bright and early. I was
mostly on the hunt for some cool storage stuff for
my craft room, but didn't come across anything
exciting. While strolling through the antique mall,
I found a wire Christmas tree that will be perfect
for displaying my stitched sampler ornaments.
I am so far behind in the stitching of these ornaments,
so maybe the tree will provide some much needed
inspiration.
I don't usually stop at yard sales, but did today on
the way home. I spotted the cabinet, and I couldn't
believe it when I saw the price. $10 bucks! What a deal!
I'm thinking that it will look much better in red with black
antiquing.

Who says...

you have to eat the cookie with the frosting? When it's your 3rd birthday, and it's your party, you can do whatever you want. Here is our Livy enjoying one of Grandmas sugar cookies. Even though her actual birthday was Tues., we celebrated it on Saturday. It is hard to believe that our first Granddaughter is 3 already. Where does the time go?

And here is how the day ended for our

little princess.

I was told she wouldn't put on her pj's, and fell

asleep dressed as Snow White.

A picture is worth...

a thousand words. My sis, reminded me that I never did post this picture of her van. I took it in MN, right before we left for the airport. It took several attempts and lots of creative packing to fit everything in. It's a good thing that we only had four days to shop, because we couldn't have squeezed another thing in there. Everything arrived here in AZ in great shape, so a BIG thanks to the driver! Now all I can say about the trip is "the end".

Everyone who has tasted...

these macaroons will agree that they are delicious. I was lucky enough to get the recipe from Yolande, our wonderful neighbor. Very simple to make, but one batch only yields a dozen cookies, and they go fast. I have been feeling blog challenged of late, and at a loss for "blog fodder". My friend and fellow blogger offered ideas and encouragement, so a big thank you to her. This one's for you...

The queen is leaving...

her tiny principality for a much larger room to rule. After visiting my niece in MN this month, I have become obsessed. She has the coolest craft room, a WHOLE room to herself, and I must have one as well. Long before my plane even landed, I was mentally preparing my speech to dh and gathering up my bargaining chips for our guest bedroom conversion. As it turned out, I didn't get much resistance. He knows how important this is to me. But, here's the deal, I just redecorated the spare bedroom last year. A lot of time and effort, not to mention money went into it. Since we are not planning to move, nor add on another room, do we use the room as it is for the few weeks out of the year that we have visitors, or do I use it everyday? Sorry future guests, this craft queen needs more space. I have been going through stuff and organizing for two days. My OCD is in high gear. On Saturday, we are going to Ikea for a desk or work table. I'll be posting the new room in all it's glory when it's complete. Did I mention that dh will be leaving the garage for the laundry room? Yes, he is giving up his cave. We might actually be able to park inside once again. It also means incoming pheasants...