What I'm reading Wednesday...

I just finished War Brides by Helen Bryan.  I opted for an early Kindle version that turned out to have a lot of editing errors.  But the story was quite good, and I was able to glance over the errors. 

Some of the coincidences were a bit harder to overlook.  But the descriptions of digging victims out of bombed buildings, sharing rationing coupons, mending and revamping clothing, the difficulties of billeting with incompatible housemates, and other details of the hardships rang so true.  Really interesting look into WWII England.  Wow.

I've grown a little tired of the fad version of the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' posters that are everywhere, but I think I may never look at them the same way again.

UFOs...

Yes, UnFinished Objects abound around here! 

I've been spending the last few days trying to complete some projects that have been either in the planning stage or half done for too long.

I've repaired the latch of a necklace for a friend, and can take it to her tomorrow.  I think she'll be very happy.  I repaired it with findings that I had on hand which were larger than the originals, but I think that it will make it easier for her to clasp and unclasp.

I've spray painted a wreath...still needs to be hung.

I've taken down the spring mantel decorations, and replaced them with some newly-fashioned patriotic ones for the 4th.  I'll show and tell more next week.

I've made some cards and some progress on the 52 letters in 52 weeks...but haven't tallied up lately.

It's back to work tomorrow, so now I need to take care of the regular laundry, grocery shopping, etc.  But I'm still hoping to complete a sewing project for another friend today!

Quiet time...

A week and a half since last I blogged.  Sometimes it's not that there's nothing to blog about, but too much.  Or I just don't know if I want to put it out there.  Or if I should...you know if it involves other people...

We went out of town...then we turned right around and came home early for a perceived emergency...thankfully everything was okay.

I've been reading a lot.  And knitting dishcloths.  I saw the one above over at Joolz'.  Thank you SO much Joolz for finding the pattern link for me.  I'm very happy with how it turned out.

I have an epic to-do list.  I've been slowly getting things crossed off.

And I've been thinking.  Brooding.  Ruminating.  Weighing.  Last week one of my co-workers announced her intent to retire soon.  That means changes are in the offing.  Changes are not my favorite thing.

French knots...

I have been reading instead of on the computer for the past few days...and tonight the comuter is really slow.  I may or may not post my photo-a-day pix later. 

I didn't feel quite a hundred percent at work today, so I am going to take a bath and read, and then go to bed early...for a change.

But I wanted to post this card that I made last night...had to get it in the mail today.  I've had this idea bouncing in my head for a few weeks.  I saw a card on Pinterest that used french knots for flower stamens, and I wanted to try it.  I love how it turned out, and my coworker requested one just like it for her sister's birthday next month.

G'night!

Party time...

june 10 - best bit of your weekend

The kids' pool party, and it was sunny and oh so HOT!

Bubblegum pink...

june 9 - your view today

In the kitchen baking cupcakes for the birthday party tomorrow. 

I used the new Duncan Hines Frosting Creations flavor packet to add to plain vanilla icing.  I haven't tried any of the other flavors, but this one is right on the flavor...tastes just like bubble gum!  I wish I had added it to homemade icing so it would have been stiffer and piped on pretty, but outdoor parties are so HOT this time of year, that I figured it would just melt anyway.  I packaged them like this because they look pretty, and so that insects won't be bombarding them while the kids are in the pool.

Seven random thoughts on the 7th...

 

1.  Foremost in my thoughts today is my little Catie-bug, who is turning seven years old today!  Though we only lived an hour away before, this last year and a half of being just a few minutes away from the children has been SO much fun!

2. A warning light came on in my car late Tuesday afternoon. Wouldn't you know it would be the day before my work days start, and the day before Carey had to go out of town. Owner's manual indicated it wasn't dangerous to continue driving, so I am.
 

3.  Caitlyn and Chloe are having a swimming party on Sunday.  I'm doing the cupcakes.  (Found a cute idea on Pinterest...see my computer time is worthwhile after all.)  I have shopped for all the supplies.  Just waiting for the weekend to do the baking.

4. I have been seriously procrastinating on making some appointments, and they are stacking up! Annual check ups on eyes, ears, teeth, and mamms. Also a new check up on something that I fear will mean more blood letting. (I'm whining.)

5. I need to have a garage sale. As in I have a garage full of stuff that needs to be gone! Fool that I am waited till it was getting on to the hottest part of the year to start working on cleaning out. Flylady.net advises against garage sales. She says to just donate it all and be done with it. Not bad advice really. 

6. Pet peeve: people who write 'frig' when what they mean is 'fridge'. Seriously, people, look up 'frig'...please!

and

7.  The Photo A Day topic demanded that I share my favorite treat of all time...courtesy of Sonic Drive-Ins.  It's all about the ice!

June 7 - drink 

A cowboy and his hat...

June 6 - hat

Today's photo could have been appropriate for yesterday's Photo A Day post as well...it's a sign AND a hat.  I think I applied this scratchy filter, because it reminds me of some photos I have from the '70s...and that's probably the last time I accompanied my dear husband into an establishment like this.  :) 

He doesn't wear big hats as much as he used to.  I remember back in about the early '80s, I cross-stitched him a piece that said, "Big Hat - No Cattle."  But these days he can usually be found in a baseball cap instead.  So a few years ago, when we actually had the cattle, I seriously considered cross-stitching another piece for him that said "Big Cattle - No Hat." 

What's your sign, redux...

June 5 - sign

I've posted a photo of this sign before.  But I thought it deserved to be repeated.  My outside could use a major overhaul, but the inside is feeling pretty okay. 

Need it, knit it...

June 4 - close up

This is what I was working on this morning.  I needed a little instant gratification, so I've whipped up a couple of dishcloths over the past couple of days.  I also needed dishcloths, as I seem to have somehow gotten down to just one!

Off the straight and narrow...

June 3 - on your plate

Totally went off course with healthy eating today!

Tomorrow is Kasey and Beau's anniversary.  The boys were otherwise occupied, so we took just Caitlyn and Chloe for the afternoon so their parents could have a quiet celebration on their own.

We took the girls out to lunch...a place with white tablecloths...we try to broaden horizons now and then.  We couldn't talk them out of ordering grilled cheese sandwiches.  Then Chloe looked around the room and asked why there were so many grandmas and grandpas in there.  Oh goodness, obviously a different demographic than she is used to.  They do bring us a lot of smiles.

Anyway, I had something completely yummy for lunch that violated all the rules (and which I forgot to photograph).  Then for a late dinner tonight, I heated up the girls' leftover grilled cheese and fries that we brought home!

I'm going to have to start all over again tomorrow.

Practical magic...

June 2 - empty

Remember the old TV show Bewitched?  It was my favorite when I was little.  To this day, it comes to mind whenever there are chores that I wish could be accomplished by just twitching my nose.  Example?  Going through boxes and getting them emptied and everything organized.

Ah, well.  I guess I have to get back to it in the way of mere mortals.

Kicking off June...

June 1 - morning (my usual breakfast)

Slept oh so wonderfully late this morning.  I always have trouble making myself go to bed at night.  Evening is when my internal clock strikes the alarm for creativity and motivation.  I can always think of one more thing I want to do before closing the book on the day.

Add to that it is katydid season with their incessant screeching all night long.  This year seems to be an explosion of the katydid population.  If you could just turn the volume down, it wouldn't be so annoying, but night times lately sound like we live in the depths of a rain forest.  One of the little buggers seemed to nest right outside our bedroom window, and screech his/her love call all night long.

Last night my sleep deprivation finally overcame my wakefulness, and I blissfully slept for hours and hours.

And the day stretches before me full of possibilities!