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!

Happy Memorial Day!

Good Morning! Sad that it's raining on our Memorial Day but hoping it will clear a little later. We have some plans and they will go on come rain or shine but it's always better when the sun shines!

Decorating around the house a little for the Summer has been fun. Taking photos with my phone when the sun s out is not so good for the glare but I think you can see well enough. Caitlin  said it always feels like Summer is close when I take Betsy Ross and Ben Franklin out!

We've been working in our yard a lot. Trying to get stuff done before my husband heads to South Carolina again. He and my son have the beds looking nice. And my Lilacs are so full!

My girls are getting bigger! Here they are looking for bugs in the log pile. It's their favorite activity. My husband is designing how he is adding the nesting boxes and run onto the coop. I'm busy thinking how I'm going to decorate the little extension. I have some catalog orders for some new rooster stuff I'm waiting to receive and I want to make a few things.

Here's Caitlin at Adventureland, a little amusement park not far from our house. She went with her friends and as you can tell by the expression on her face was having a GREAT time!

Have a great day!