today was fun . . .

Today was good.

Today was fun.

Tomorrow is another one.

~ Dr. Seuss

Happy 4th of July!

What a wonderful day we had.  A day celebrating with family and old friends . . . actually old friends that are family!

Fun in the sun!

Fun in the water!

Big guys that I love . . .

 . . . and little guys that I love.

Fun and games . . .

. . . and so much great food.  I should have taken more pictures of the food.

The first sunflower of the summer . . . and more on the way.  It is going to be so much fun watching them bloom!  Find JOY in the small stuff . . . it makes life amazing!

Two of my favorite men.  I wish Jake and Kasey could have been here.

Charlotte actually really seemed to enjoy the fireworks . . . I am not sure what this picture is all about.  I think Abbie has another one like this where she looks much happier . . . I will have to get that photo.  I don't like this sad looking little face.

Lily whirled and twirled and had a wonderful 4th of July.  She went home tired and happy!

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays . . . this one was one of the best!  GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Friday Night

A quiet Friday night - without much planned. I'm simply happy to have a nice relaxing weekend ahead of me. I was looking at pictures tonight and realized that I have gotten out of the habit of taking them. This I will change - starting this weekend.

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result

of getting something we don't have,

but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

~ Frederick Keonig

Flashback Friday - no wonder I brought him home!

I was looking at old pictures last night and found this one of Boo. I may have posted it before - but he's cute enough for a second showing if I did. He did grow into those ears and the collar. He was born under one of the portable classrooms at the school I work at - he needed a home and I guess I needed a kitten. He was so little! He grew into an extremely independent cat, but likes to climb into my lap when all is quiet and it is just him and I.

I just realized that it has been 8 years since I brought him home - I am a little amazed at how fast 8 years has gone by. Amy - I think you need to come visit me again. This is what Boo looked like the last time you were here. (No pressure - I just really miss you!)

Simply Saturday -

Another little doll that I am working on. She has been done - but I haven't taken the time to dress her. I cut up an old Raggedy Ann dress to dress her with. Tomorrow I will finish up her dress and put some hair on her.
I would have liked to be sitting on this window sill in the sun myself today. It was a beautiful day! I watched Lily for a few hours - so I took her for a walk and then sat out on the patio and read for awhile. I probably wasn't as relaxed and content as Boo is here - but it felt so good to feel the warmth of the sun.
I have always liked hemp jewelry - so every so often have to make something. My mom gave me these buttons last summer. I especially like the blue one. I have had this flying around for awhile and just never finished it. Why I do that I don't know. Not much of a bracelet really - but I do really like the buttons.
Chewy is such a character - I can't help but smile when I look at him. I swear he poses whenever he see one of us with a camera.

Signs that I am on Vacation . . .

I wore my slippers all day . . .

Boo was inside all day - warm, cozy, and snoozing on the back of the sofa . . .

Sadie followed me everywhere - and found a spot close to me under the desk . . .

Time to do the things I like to do - I baked another butterscotch pie.

"A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in." ~ Robert Orben

Smile

I sat down at the computer this morning with a quilt around my legs to keep me warm. This is Boo's invitations to come cuddle up. He settled in on the floor next to me and he is still there four hours later.

"There is, incidentally, no way of talking about cats that enables one to come off as a sane person." ~ Dan Greenberg

I found this rag doll for $5 - how could I not buy her and give her a place to sit on this old school desk. She sits sort of back out of the way - and I love catching sight of her smile when I walk by her. I attended a workshop yesterday for work and the speaker talked about the power of smiling. How it can change our own mood and the mood of others instantly. I have enough rag dolls in my home to be reminded to smile often enough.

"Peace begins with a smile." ~ Mother Teresa

Tis the Season - BOO!

I love the colors of this season more than any other time of year. - Boo seems to fit right in.
Jennifer came up with the name Lacey for this first doll that I made. It isn't a very eerie name - but she has the cutest black lace slip under her skirt - So Lacey it is.
We put up some Halloween decorations this past weekend. I don't know if the boys will get the front of the house decorated - but we made the patio feel a little festive for Halloween.

I finished two more dolls - similar to the first one. These will be on their way to Iowa this week.

What a Mess!

I have the favors done for Jennifer's shower. I am just about ready- except that my house is a mess. This is why I need a space of my own.
I do function pretty well in chaos though - so it will all come together.
I found this old picture of "Boo" He was so cute - no wonder I brought him home. Yes Amy - this is the psycho cat that terrorized you while you read. :-)

"Don't Sweat the Little Things."

3 Day Weekend!!!!!

I went to the scrapbook store today. I am making invitations to Jennifer's baby shower and wanted to get some things. I told myself I would only get what I needed for the invitations. . .
. . . and I did pretty good. I only bought a few extra things that I didn't really need.
I doesn't matter what I bring home - if it comes in a paper bag, and I sit it on the table - then Boo feels he is entitled to lay on it.
From the look of him here - he thinks he is entitled to do whatever he wants.

"I can’t decide if I have a cat or a cat has me." - Esther Marton