Over one

on 30ct. linen is how this sampler was stitched. At times I thought I'd never finish it, but finally completed it in about five weeks. Stitching has been such a huge part of my life for more than thirty years. I bought my first kit while in my teens. It was a scenery piece, and I can still picture it in my mind's eye. My taste in design has evolved over the years, and I prefer to stitch mostly samplers these days. The simple repetition of pushing and pulling my needle through fabric is relaxing and comforting. Spending time with needle and thread is one way I nurture my soul.

Fore!

Look who showed up for a swim today on our community's golf course. I knew it was a Kodak moment when I saw the Canadian Goose and ducks. We have been enjoying a decent amount of rain due to our monsoon season, and evidently we humans aren't the only ones.

We'll miss you, Opie.

A sad event occurred in our family this week. Opie, my son and daughter-in-law's Great Dane, died unexpectedly. He was a big and uncoordinated gentle giant, he drooled and slobbered, but I loved him. I think he knew it, too. He could always count on me to slip him an extra treat whenever I visited. I hope he has met up with all the other beloved dogs that have been a part of our lives over the years.

Even our sky is beige

I took this shot the other night, right before the storm hit. I often say that I live in "beige ville" because all the houses are various shades of tan. While I am grateful to not have a neighbor who fancies a fuchsia house with teal trim, a little variety would be nice. I'm not sure that I even know why everything is painted the same color here. I guess it has something to do with our hot weather. But if that is the case, why isn't everything white? One of my favorite things about England and Ireland are the wonderful front doors in every color imaginable. Oh, how I long for a red door...

Anyone who knows me

will agree that nothing stays the same in our house forever. Paul likes to tell everyone that I belong to the "Sofa of the Month" club. I don't see what the big deal is, I'm sure lots of people have had five different ones in ten years.
This week's project was to paint the master bedroom. Good bye blue, hello a lovely taupe that reminds me of natural linen. Paul often asks when I'll be done with the house. Silly, man. He doesn't get it at all. Part of the joy of home improvement comes from the dreaming and scheming and it will always be my never ending work in progress.

There's nothing like a trip to Mystic Paper

to make me feel all warm and fuzzy. It is my favorite scrapbooking store and I never leave there empty handed. One doesn't go there because one "needs" something. You simply go there to feed your addiction. I can get lost in the paper, stamps, inks, books, ribbons, and embellishments and on and on. Who knew that pretty printed paper could become such an obsession? Once I get my "treasures" home I get to ooh and aah all over again.

Sometimes it's the little things

in life that are the best. I was so excited to discover a little honeydew melon under the leaves. It is already very fragrant even though it is no bigger than my fist. I hope that my little garden will survive our hot, and I do mean hot, summer.
We also have watermelon and cantaloupe planted.

What have I gotten myself into here?

What I really need is another project. Not! After admiring my friend's wonderful blog, I had to have one. Now that it has come to life, I have to be clever and creative here as well as in real life. Yikes! Not knowing what to post first, I guess I'll just begin with today's offering.