Novembers Gone?

I can't believe November is gone and it's December already!!! For some reason I'm feeling rushed this year, and really I'm not but I just feel like I am. Maybe it's because of Claire going to school half days and evenings being the only time I really have to get my shopping and errands, doctors, etc. done . Anyway I do have my North Pole village up and my advent tree, and gingerbread tree up and decorated. Saturday after Claire takes her skating lesson we are going to get our real tree. One can never have too many trees!! I do enjoy this time of year and love having the family here to celebrate. I'll post some photos of my village and trees and yes some of Claire during skating lessons! Have a Wonderful Weekend Everyone... Wendy

The Cutest Queen of Hearts!

Halloween was so much fun this year! Claire was so excited to get all dressed up and to put some makeup on!! I don't think I have to say much as the picture pretty much says it all!!!

All I can say is my head is still spinning!!

Wow this has been a month !!!! I had another meeting yesterday and things don't look like they're going to let up for awhile! I actually did write a post last week but never got around to putting the pictures with it. Needless to say I haven't been really good about keeping up in the blogging world, although I do read your blogs but don't always have time to comment. Today I went with Claire to her schools fall festival, she really had a good time! I can't believe it's the end of October already!!!! I hope everyone has an enjoyable halloween! Happy Halloween!

A Busy Fall

I joined Crazy Quilting International and joined in on a Round Robin, this is the work I did on the one block. I did the F patch, whimsy, and R. It was really fun! I've never done letters or words before so it was a real challenge for me, but I now have a lot of ideas using letters and words.

I've been a little behind on my blogging lately, I've been really busy getting Claire situated in school, and meetings , hopefully things will slow down soon. One thing is how nice a Fall it has been! I love it when the seasons last awhile and you get the chance to really enjoy them, they each have something unique to offer . Well that said I'm going outside to enjoy the beautiful fall day!!! Everyone enjoy! Wendy

The Colors of Fall

I just love fall, the weather has been so nice, and I enjoy walking through my garden in the morning and just listening and watching. I especially like the fall flowers, their colors are so rich and beautiful. For me it's some of the best eye candy and what a great way to relax!

Another Beautiful Weekend Hike!

This was a new hiking spot for us and it was really pretty , it used to be a girl scout camp, in a way I felt kind of bad as we walked through thinking about all the girls who had stomped down those trails, you could almost hear the camp songs and invision the canoes being launched. We found a thicket of Hawthorne covered by wild grapevines, Claire thought it was great ! As we travelled along the trail we found lots of fall wild flowers and and the river. What a nice hike, can't wait to take my sisters!

The Cutest Elf!

I remember going to Frankenmuth with my parents and my Dad took a picture of me sitting on a bench with an elf , so when we were on one of our summer excursions with my sister Kathy I just had to get a picture of Claire with these elves! She's starting to get into the holidays more and it's getting fun, and she's starting to notice decorations.... I can't wait to really start decorating....this years Christmas decorating will be fun with two little hands to help!! And lets not forget the refrigerator art!!! I love school art projects but that's a whole other story!

A Much Needed Hike.

Sunday was such a beautiful day, we jumped in the car and took off to one of our favorite hiking spots. I always feel so much better after a hike , the beauty, fresh air, quiet from the rush of life. Claire likes it too and her Dad ( a naturalist) always finds fun things for her to look at.... especially looking for Tinkerbell in old trees and roots, or Piglet, or Eeyores house. Can't wait for another nice weekend!

Furry Friends Friday

Isn't this little guy adorable! My husband took this picture while working outside. I just had to share it...too cute!

First Day Of School

Claires first day of school was good. I asked my sister Laurie if she'd make a 1st day of school cake ( I got the idea out of a magazine ) then for dessert we talked about school and ate cake! Here is Claire before we left... she couldn't hold the cake so I sat her up next to it. Thanks Laurie the cake tasted great!

Summers End and New Beginnings

I can't believe summer is almost over and school starts in a couple days. This year is going to be a milestone year..Kindergarden, and a new school. I'm excited yet anxious, as I'm sure every parent is when they send there little one off to school. We went to her school and met her teacher the other day, and she loved the fact that there are a lot of books and a Peter Pan book with Tinker Bell! In fact she took it and sat right down and made herself comfortable. I'm still glad it's only a half day, I have a feeling I'll be the one wiping tears away on the first day of school.

Swings

My brother made this swing and Claire and I had a wonderful time swinging on it. What is it about swings ? I've always loved them ( some more than others now that my hips are wider.) Makes me think of school days , the swing set at the beach ( ummm I can smell the water just thinking about it.) the rope swing in our backyard, wind blowing through my hair, motherhood and little ones laughing as we swing. One of my favorite poems is The Swing , by Robert Louis Stevenson, I always say it to Claire as we swing. For that few minutes life is simple and easy ( just swing). I hope I never grow too old to swing.

Praying Mantis

I haven't seen a praying mantis in a couple years....This morning as Claire and I were about to get in the car this beauty was on the hood of the car.. I was thrilled to see one ! I took a stick and let her get on it and moved it to a tree in our yard. She's been there all day. Hope she sticks around. Thats two critters I've seen this year that I haven't seen in awhile..the other was a walking stick while we were camping but my camera doesn't take the best pictures so I don't have a picture of that to show you.

Furry Friends Friday

Raja was groomed today, she is so funny afterwards, like she knows she's beautiful! She's such a girly girl dog and loves having the bows in her hair and her bandanna .

Ocean Scene Completed!

Well here it is! My finished sea scape! I had a lot of fun doing this and have started a fall scene now! It has a little of everything I like to do, some tatting, embroidery, crocheting, beads, fabrics, and my niece got me some sand dollars, star fish and sea horse! Like I said it has a little of everything!

Camping and exploring

We had such a wonderful time camping! I only wish we would have stayed a couple days longer. On one of our hikes we found this old tree with a hole in it..this is a picture taken inside the tree. The sunsets here are beautiful and the beach is all sand! We're already planning our trip for next year and will definitely stay longer!

Ocean Scene another layer I think it's #3

I finished another layer and am now on the last layer ( I think it's going to be the hardest part.)My camera isn't the greatest but I think you can see it okay. The first picture I took my mermaid had hair over her eye so I fixed it and then took another picture. This has been really fun, and I'm thinking of doing another one,but will wait to see how this one turns out.... Have a great weekend! Wendy

Meet my little garden friend

This little red admiral ( I think) butterfly has been in our garden for awhile now. She's always on the same group of flowers, and occasionally lands on me. Her wings are pretty beat up but she still gets around. I look for her whenever I go out. She doesn't even fly away if I put my hand next to her! She may not be the prettiest butterfly in my garden but she's pretty special to me!

Ocean scene

This is the start of the ocean scene I'm working on. I received the book Fibreart Montage by Judith Baker Montano , from my sister, and there is some beautiful work in it, so I decided to try my hand at it. The ocean has always intrigued me so I picked that as a starting picture. I know it doesn't look like much now but I've still a lot of layers and work to do, but it's so fun! Will keep you posted as to my progress.

Wall Hanging

I finally finished the wall hanging I started for my great niece, and was able to give it to her before she went home. You'll notice a lot of blank spaces ,I left them blank so she could add more pins, patches,etc. It was fun to do and I really enjoyed working with the string of beads.
I'm looking (literally) at doing another picture but every time I go to work on it I'm not exactly sure where to start! Will keep you posted on the progress ( if any ) of that one!

Heat Wave

I used to really like summer but this year the heat is really getting to me..temps in the 90's for the last few days...yuck.....they say tomorrow night it should go back into the 80's YEAH!!!!! and high 60's at night ..oh be still my heart! I can't wait!! I've been keeping busy with Claire and kind of home schooling her during the summer break, I'm really enjoying it! I have to think outside of the box for some projects but I think we're both having fun. Tomorrow I take her to the library for a program they have weekly, she loves books and going to the library!
Does anyone have any easy cold meal ideas other than potato,tuna, or macaroni salad?
Well I hope your all staying cool. Have a great week!

Hamburgers and Kids

What is it about hamburgers? I remember when my father would bring home a sack of hamburgers and Fry's, and chocolate shakes!! Oh the smell....and nothing could taste better than that! As an adult I actually am not very fond of them, maybe my taste buds don't work as well or maybe on my quest to eat better deleting the shake makes it not so enjoyable....or maybe it's just one of those things that children just have a better appreciation for? Anyway Claire was thoroughly enjoying her hamburger when we went to Frankenmuth a few weeks ago. Yes the famous chicken place and she wanted a hamburger....see it's a kid thing!

Trying for a new look!

My computer hasn't been cooperating lately and I've got pictures and everything to show but haven't been able to get them to my blog. Tonight I'm having some luck and was able to change my back ground and hopefully I'll be able to change my picture. I really want to update!!! I've enjoyed reading your blogs ( when I was able to get to them!) hopefully you'll hear more from me soon!
Have a great 4th of July everyone.

Busy,Busy ,Busy

I've been sooo busy getting things together to work with Claire over the summer (sorta home schooling ). Actually it's been fun and I think I've got a nice schedule worked out for her. I will also be taking her to a program at the public library once a week, and she has occupational therapy out of town once a week. I am setting up a little area for her and have a desk and chair and I even got a really cute calender to hang up. As soon as I have it all together I'll take a picture to show.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Did I say I Love Crazy Quilting?

I don't know what it is but its pure enjoyment and quiet therapy for me.. It helps me to concentrate on colors, designs, embellishments, and all the little things I love. I am making this for my great niece, she loves the peace symbol and I came across this fabric and couldn't resist. I just haven't figured out if I'll make it into a pillow or a wall hanging. I have a lot of work to do on it yet as I've only started the embroidery work ,but that's the fun of crazy quilting!

Everyone have a great week!

Furry Friends Friday

Raja wasn't thrilled with the terms of this meeting from Harvey our bunny, but I think Harvey actually enjoyed it!