London Revisited

I have the hardest time coming up with things to blog about lately. Everything that I've made has needed to be kept secret. I'm fairly sure that a certain someone will guess that this gift is for her, but she should have it by now anyway. That is, if UPS came through. I saw the idea for these bulb forcers in Country Living magazine. They are made out of 1 liter bottles. The top is cut off and then inverted into the base. You fill it with water and then the bulb, in this case daffodils, roots and eventually sprouts a flower. I thought it was really clever and inexpensive.

I used some scrapbook paper with a map of London, one of my very favorite places, and then added a few embellishments. When we were were in the UK, we couldn't believe all the daffodils everywhere. I hope this gift evokes memories of a special time.

Live Love Photography

Since I still can't post pictures of anything that I've created recently, due to the fact that they are Christmas gifts, I'm going to brag, I mean blog, about my beautiful and very talented daughter-in-law instead. Her name is Tina, and she has recently turned her passion into a new business. Live Love Photography is now up and running. There are many of us who take photos in our family, but we started to notice that Tina's were getting better and better. Before we knew it, she started creating these wonderful videos of family get togethers and holidays. There is no better way to capture and remember a special event. Please check out her new website, and enjoy her galleries of photos.

Celtic Thunder

Last night was special, I went to the Celtic Thunder concert in Phoenix, with my sis, brother, and sister-in -law. I saw the "easy on the eyes" guys perform on PBS last summer. I really love Celtic music so when the tour dates were announced last summer, we bought our tickets. The show was fantastic. There's nothing better than a man in a kilt!

A thank you for my guests

As a thank you for sharing Thanksgiving Day with us, our guests will receive one of these soup mixes in a jar. It's called Gobble-Gobble soup, and it's the perfect way to use leftover turkey. I saw the idea in a Gooseberry cookbook. It's as simple as adding several spices and noodles to a jar that I decorated. All that's left to be added is some water, turkey, and veggies such as celery, carrots, and onion. They were fun to make, and I hope everyone likes them.

As you gather tomorrow with family and friends, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thursday this and that

While this one, Scarlett, is being her usual busy body self,

tormenting the geckos and chasing off the birds,

this one, Ruby, is doing what she does best. Napping! This is her new favorite spot to snooze in the afternoon. There's no doubt she thinks that the new patio was built just for her.

I've been such a lousy blogger lately. I'd be surprised if I even have any readers left out there. I have been somewhat creative, but I can't post anything because everything I've made is a Christmas gift. Too many of the recipients read my blog and there goes the element of surprise. Last night my husband announced that I was too hard to shop for and he had no idea what to get me for Christmas. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Me? Hard to buy for? Why that's impossible, I like everything! So, my question is what do you want for Christmas? I'd love to hear all about it.

It's a beautiful day

here in the desert, and I'm planning to spend the day in the craft room while my creative muse is calling. I couldn't resist shooting these shots of what's in bloom. To those of you who live where it's cold at this time, I'm so sorry. Remember how we suffered through those 100+ days not so long ago? This is what we call Chamber of Commerce weather, low 80's and sunshine in the beautiful blue sky.

The roses are in bloom.

The rhubarb is still hanging in there.

I can finally grow Coleus. Too hot in the summer.

We can't have enough geraniums.

Miss Scarlett soaking up some sun.

Nothing special about this, I just like the shot.

The bees are a buzz in the rosemary.

Have a great day wherever you are!

Election hangover

This is how I feel this morning. The choice has been made... one I strongly disagree with. "Change" is coming alright and unfortunately we're all going to have to live with it.