Halloween is Coming!

Good Morning! It feels so good to wake up on a chilly morning. I just love the crisp feeling! Schedules are back in place for the new school year and life is carrying on! I've been slowly decorating and we've also gotten a few more house projects done including my front walkway which I was so excited about!

Now we just have to finish the garden beds around it. It seems like there are always projects to do! We are thinking boxwood bushes or something low growing and of course annuals which we plant in the Spring but for the Fall we will fill with colorful mums.

I was so surprised to receive a gift in the mail from a lovely lady who also loves the Amish as I do.

 She made me this lovely doll! Isn't she awesome? I adore her. She originally came with a little flower basket but little Jinx our cat had other ideas for that flower basket so I replaced it with a pie. So much fun to get surprises in the mail.

She fits right in! Nestled in front of one of my Amish made pieces of furniture and more Amish kids behind her and to the side.

 Besides getting all ready for school, Caitlin and I have been crafting like crazy. I'm so happy we started early and we are really getting creative. She's thinking she would like to be Rapunzel for Halloween. Here is her photo from the first day of 6th grade so you can see her hair is plenty long enough to be Rapunzel!

Some things we made:

My nieces came over and we did some Halloween crafting with them and started making supplies for the two Halloween parties we are having this year. And don't ya know that when crafting is involved so is food!!! We took a break and had a great meal with a big chocolate milkshake. An incredible burger I had when I was out with them and I ate every bit of it too!

Food is always involved....I craft better on a full stomach! So we are making some of these:

and some of these....

I'll let you know how they come out! I also saw this adorable idea on Pinterest. Just get black straws and googly eyes. So cute!

I'm thinking what else is happening around here since I last blogged....Oh how can I forget? My husband and I were gifted with tickets from my Godmother to see the show Mama Mia! It was playing in a theatre nearby in Northport and what a show! We had such a great night preceded by, again, great a dinner ...We loved the show and it was so much fun to have a date night with my husband. We will actually be celebrating 28 years of marriage this Saturday! Woo Hoo!

I think I'm pretty caught up now...School, crafting, Halloween, Mama Mia....yup, I think that's it!

I know there are periods of time when its hard to get a blog post up but I can check in! I will always keep up though! My life is so much busier than it was years ago when I started back in 2009! I care for my Mom who needs so much help and attention now at age 86 and my son is home tutored due to his illness so it's a busy week. Plus I'm pretty active with my daughter's activities and my church but again, I WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND and will still be blogging!

Love you all!

August Heat

 Have you been to any craft stores lately? Silly question, I know. I have a routine of visiting a craft store and then having lunch at Panera....quite a habit! I so enjoy picking two. If you haven't had their Butternut Squash soup, well let me tell you that it comes out every Fall for a limited time, and I am WAITING for it. Delicious. You must try it. With crunchy pumpkin seeds floating on top..... Anyway, I saw these aisles of Halloween greatness  about two weeks ago and started purchasing some supplies for some Fall and Halloween crafts I 'm working on. I was in heaven. I retuned again the other day and bought a few more with some great coupons I had....So exciting to see it all but I'm not wishing for the Summer to be over only because that means Summer vacation for the kids is over. They return after Labor Day. By the end of August though I do decorate for Fall and mid September I start my Halloween decorating.

I saw some cool ideas using Christmas ornaments also. Filling clear ornaments with Halloween goodies. Aren't these adorable?

And I visited one lone garage sale this Summer, actually it was on my block, and I got this cool blow mold. Turns out it's "Bela Lugosi" and isn't a common one. Score! $15. I thought that was fair.

The rest of the Summer has been pretty nice. I've been to the beach and enjoyed it at night as well. We had a great big family reunion upstate with our cousins from Binghampton and that was awesome, we've been addicted to Japanese hibachi so now we try to go as often as we can. It's very popular here.....so much fun! Now my husband has some work to start on our house outside--a brick pathway. He's starting shortly. But today....well even though I've been battling a horrible eye infection, Caitlin and I decided to do some Halloween crafts and here is some of what I made:

And I basically did this using one eye so I'm quite proud. Now, hours later, it's actually clearing up and I can see! Woo Hoo!

Have a great evening! The thunder is rumbling and the rain is starting to fall! I hope it cools off a little!

Enjoying Summer!

What a beautiful day it is again today. I have the whole day free and I think I'm going to clean out my craft room and start to make space for Fall crafting. I know fall & Halloween are in the craft stores already and I'm certainly not rushing my Summer but I do want to think of the projects I want to make for Autumn.

We had an awesome weekend visiting President Roosevelt's house up in Hyde Park. We started off a few miles away in the town of Rhinebeck eating brunch at an historic inn called the Beekman Arms. I love it there so much and it reminds me of two of my FAVORITE places--The Wayside Inn and Colonial Inn of Concord, Massachusetts.

Visiting the President's home is always so special; I've been there many, many times but I think what I like best is that FDR & Eleanor made their home very casual and comfortable. Lots of florals fabric, tables set for tea, knick knacks and of course all the dog related things they collected for their dog Fala. It feels like a home! Anyway, we had an awesome day.

Caitlin and I had a beautiful beach day yesterday and when I came home I found a package from a friend in Illinois. She sent me these awesome prints!

They are beautiful! I was so surprised. I can't wait to frame them. Aren't they amazing? The top one is one of my favorite John Sloane paintings. The bottom snow scene is a Bonnie Mohr who is known for painting the Amish. Such an incredible surprise. I woke up this morning still thinking of it.

I'd say it's been a pretty nice Summer so far. Caitlin has been busy with lots of nice things. We've collaborated in the craft room on a few projects for her dollhouse and just some little stuff We love to work together. Enjoying the company of my neighbors, friends and cousins. Planning two short trips for Summer and Fall and some projects on our house but mostly just loving my porch, garden, and chickens! Hope you're enjoying your Summer too!

Thunderstorms Are Coming!

July 7th! It's a hot one! Waiting on the predicted thunderstorms and they're getting closer!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July; we did! With some of our favorite people. It certainly seemed like their were lots more fireworks this year too. Our neighborhood was putting on quite a show until very late. Fireworks are illegal in New York but it always seems to work out and none of the police bother anyone. We saw quite a show from our front porch.

We've been busy still planting and rearranging. August is going to be a busy month so we have to get a lot done.

My vegetable garden went in a little later than usual but it's doing great. My vegetables are organic.

Strawberries have finished so bring on the raspberries!

I had ordered and received these darling little angels. Aren't they perfect?

I've been putting them all around! On two trees, and my foyer mirror.

I don't know if I previously mentioned I rescued this umbrella holder from trash! It's getting a cleanup and a nice flower arrangement.

Stay cool everybody!

Happy Times

Last day of school here today! I get just as excited as the kids. This year went really fast. I know we say that every year but this year it really, really did! My son completed his junior year and my daughter graduated Intermediate (5th grade)!

We had a great day and celebrated later on at a Japanese Hibachi restaurant. What fun it was!

I can't believe she is going into 6th grade!

I've been busy at home getting some unfinished projects finally finished. Busy taking care of Mom and her various needs and appointments but it all works out. Sometimes it's hard but it all works out.  Mom is celebrating her 86th birthday on Sunday and although she really doesn't feel well a good deal of the time her spirits remain high with all the people around her.

Here's some of what I've been working on:

I finished my newest milk can ...but once I thought it was finished I realize I still have to clear glaze it. Basically done though.

I've made a few more button garlands too.

Working on the garden and all outdoor stuff. Certainly enough to keep us all busy! The chickens are loving running around the yard!

Enjoy your weekend!

I love June!

I love the month of June for so many reasons and this one has been so special. We've been busy with some family events and a few more coming up and its been so nice.

My son went to the Junior Prom with his girlfriend and what a great time he had. The prom was held as a dinner cruise around Manhattan!

They had such a beautiful night and the weather cooperated nicely. The boat stopped in front of the Statue of Liberty and my son got great photos of he and his gal in front of Manhattan all lit up at night!

Caitlin had her 5th grade field day event and a school party and next week it's 5th grade graduation! Here she is in her braids!

Here at home, my strawberry patch got huge and is producing some great strawberries though I do find my squirrels are also helping themselves!

The chickens are growing fast. They now love being in the coop and have adjusted well to Carol & Frankie. Here's Veronica.

And they LOVE to watch my son mow the lawn!

Have a great day!