What does it feel like to have a summer birthday?

Well, I am about to find out! 

If you have read this blog (and who doesn't?  it is full of witty retorts, exciting travel pictures and who can forget all the crafty items I have finished and shown, not to mention professional looking photos of my award-winning home?  okay, none of the above is true but . . .) IF you have read this blog for awhile, you know that my real birthday is in January.  After being snowed in AGAIN on my birthday, I officially changed it to July 7th.  When you are as old as me, you can do those things.  I made sure that EVERYONE knows and I even it wrote it myself on their calendars.  I am expecting HUGE things on that day! 

I planned my own party.  Oh, it was going to be a doozy!  But plans changed.  My daughter and I will be road-tripping instead (but really, what could be better than that?)  Heading up to Minnesota to attend what is advertised as a big juried antique/craft show in Anoka and to see The French Flea occasional sale.  If you have been there, please tell me that it will be worth the 5 hour drive!

But anyway, back to my summer birthday . . .  I'm thinking that I should celebrate with all of my wonderful blogging friends.  I see that I am close to 100 posts and I have 143 followers (#144 - where did you go?  did I disappoint you in some way that you left me?  come back, #144, come back!).  I'll be doing ALOT of shopping in Minnesota (hear that IKEA?  I'm coming!) and I thought I would bring something home for somebody.  Be on the look-out for my 100th post to celebrate my summer birthday.  And wouldn't it be fun to have 150 followers by then too?  I think so!

 

The sparklers are ready, most of the poppers have already been popped and the potato salad is made.  4th of July traditions at my house. 

Have a happy and safe holiday, my friends . . .

This week's Ps . . .

Doesn't seen like I've been home at all this last week.  Where have I been? 

Playing!

Parades . . .

Parks . . .

Patios . . .

Pergolas . . .

Okay, I'm out of Ps but these are photos of a charity garden walk.  Nothing too terribly interesting or different.  We all went on a packed bus and visited 10 (yes, ten!) backyards (that is 24 times we got off and on this VERY warm bus).  Come to find out that each backyard was designed by a local nursery so 9 of the yards looked EXACTLY alike - same plants, same trees, same pavers - only in different configurations.  NO personality at all!

But the last yard had some interest!

The hydrangeas were as big as basketballs!  Mine?  Not even a bud yet.

This week I'm going to have to work on the Cs . . . cleaning, cooking and cutting weeds!

Oh, and I have had ALOT of cuddle time with my Lainey girl!

Hope you all had some creative time and made something beautiful . . .

A notice to all the world's princes . . .

A new princess has arrived!  Be prepared for broken hearts as you all vie for her affection in a few years!

Meet Lainey Grace!  Born Thursday, June 17th at 10:31 am.

The J-man thinks his new baby 'thister' is pretty cool!  At least, so far!

And this is one happy Grandma!

It has been one crazy weekend!  Talk to you all soon . . .

Waiting not so patiently . . .

No pink bundle yet!  This little girl is showing everyone that she is going to be the boss!  I hope she is going to be as laid back in life as she is in making her arrival!

While we all wait, I've been taking pictures of my flowers.  Enjoy!

The next post will be from a grandma of a little girl . . .

It's finished, now where is she?

The baby quilt is finished and we are all waiting for our little grandbaby girl to arrive!  ANY DAY NOW!   I'm not sleeping well because I just know I'll have to rush over to watch the J-man while his mommy and daddy rush to the hospital.  They made it just in time when he was born and that was after being stopped by the state patrol and then escorted to the hospital.  Hopefully, that won't happen this time!

Isn't the quilting just adorable!  Found a new quilter with terrific ideas!

I'll leave you with a picture of the catalpa tree.  I usually hate this tree because it is right in the middle of this portion of the lawn but this year it is pretty!  Good thing I took this photo yesterday because we had a storm last night and all the flowers are now on the ground.

Anxiously waiting . . .

While I was doing it, they were doing it too . . .

. . . having giveaways, I mean!  Bloggers are just the most generous, most creative, most talented people I know!  I'm somewhat embarrased by their gifts to me because my little giveaway was by no means up to these standards.  I've got to think of something fantabulous to thank you all for being my bloggy friends!

I LOVE all of these gals and their blogs and encourage you to visit each of them! 

Sherry from Creations From My Heart.  A pincushion so decadent, so detailed.  I'm in awe!

Donna from Brynwood Needleworks.  She made this especially for me!  So sweet.  This gal can make ANYTHING and whatever it is becomes an instant heirloom.

Lorraine from Creative Daily.  And believe me, I think she makes something beautiful every day!  Multi-talented, multi-creative lady!

Sherry from No Minimalist Here.  She has an eye for the BEST stuff and creates the BEST vignettes ever!

Haven't I been lucky to have such sweet friends!  I'm honored to showcase their creations in my home.

Thank you for all of the comments I received concerning selling my bags through etsy.  I'm looking into it!  All of your encouragement is just what I need to get my act together and promote myself, cuz no on else is going to do it!  Oh, and by-the-way, contact me if you would like to get one of my bags for yourself!

Off to work . . .

Important weekend activities . . .

. . . like running through a sprinkler!  You know, Grandma was seen running through it too!   

Hope the kid side of you had a great weekend!