Male Days

Am I alone thinking men are difficult to buy gifts for? If your significant other/father/brother/uncle/friend does not have a hobby or a great passion, it can be hard to shop for males. They always say "I have everything I need".... In my family we have 4 male days within the upcoming 6 weeks so this time of year gets me crazy.

Anyway, Father's Day is around the corner and even though it is not a totally acceptable-politically correct past time, many men like a good cigar and a drink. So here's my contribution...a wood cigar box clock. Perfect if one of your men fits that bill.

If not, my husband wants it!

Holiday Weekend

First-Happy Memorial Day to everyone and THANK YOU to all our wonderful service people who sacrifice for us.

The great majority of my years was spent as a student or a teacher. Life revolved around the September to June calendar. This weekend marked a beginning and an end. It is the unofficial start of summer and where we lived in New York was a summer resort area for those wishing to escape New York City for a cooler locale. We never left because of the traffic and because we always had visitors.

It also marked the beginning of the end of the school year. After the 3 day weekend, it was a count down to the last day, hoping it would not become too unbearably hot (no air conditioning), rushing to do the tons of end-of-year paperwork and praying we could keep the kids focused until that last bell.

Now, aside from the primary importance of remembering those who preserve our freedom, this is just another weekend. In fact, a semi-yucky one! The DH has to work all weekend and I have been curtailing my shopping trips to conserve gas. So staying home is the itinerary. The garden is planted & weeded and the house is clean enough. The laundry is folded and returned to its proper place. So today may be just a day to relax...maybe create...maybe read...maybe watch a movie! Did I say this was yucky? Sorry, a senior moment.

Enjoy your weekend whatever you choose to do!

Another Challenge!

Today I discovered the shop, blog and world of Pam Warden. Her shop is babeta and it is absolutely delightful, uplifting, clever and creative. LOVE her work and ordered a piece for a gift. I naturally migrated to her blog where she is having a "I LIVE IN MY OWN LITTLE WORLD BUT IT'S OK, THEY KNOW ME HERE" challenge. She's asking everyone to post pictures of their world: where they create their blogs and their art, where they relax and feel inspiration and so I'm taking the challenge!

The first picture is where I am sitting now...the least 'decorated' room in my house but functional. Little bears surround me and on the far right is a magnetic board loaded with pictures. A TV is behind me which makes no sense at all!


Next is part of the studio. Although it appears chaotic, I know where everything is. Yes, most of what you see contains buttons. I do everything up here except knitting and crocheting but all the yarn is stored up here. I say up as this is the only room on the 2nd level and I don't have to clean since we are the only ones ever up there! A perfect place.




A place to relax and be inspired is my garden. There are some pictures 2 posts ago but here are some of my containers. Notice I seem to have a shoe and chair collection going!






This is an outside looking in of my screened porch, hands down my favorite space. I do wish it was larger but hindsight is 20/20. We didn't know we'd love it and use it so much.
I do love my kitchen and other spaces but these lead the list.
And all of this would be meaningless if I didn't have such a wonderful husband, son, daughter-in-law and 2 perfect (of course!) grandsons! I am blessed♥

A Challenge!

SewDelish has a challenge on her blog to step out of your comfort zone and try something different. I did! I am a knitter and a fairly experienced one. I have always had trouble figuring out crocheting directions. I can do the stitches but get lost easily! Well, I finally tried to do something from beginning to end. Admittedly, it's pretty simple but I am thrilled with myself and the finished product. Here are 2 examples that I have put in the shop. They have achieved great comments and praise. Hopefully sales will follow. Otherwise, look out buddies-you're getting a set! These are being offered in sets of four but I have more of the blue/lilac yarn so I can increase it to 6. Special custom color requests are welcome. Don't you need a cutlery envelope???

Something different for your table and something crocheted by me!

FINALLY!!!!

It's spring! Aren't the colors glorious?!