SUMMER HANDIWORK INSIDE AND OUT

I get so many ideas from blogs and magazines and books I just want to  I want to try everything! Loved the way this turned out!

My friend Sue and her husband gave me these landscape bricks. It was just what I needed to spur me on fixing up the back garden! Great Grandson Eli loves to help! He and his Momma have moved back and are living in The Cottage for now.

It's sharing bouquets of Zinnia time again.

We all love our back porch!

My cousin reunion was here at out house on July 4th. I surprised each of my cousins with a painting. This was a painting of my cousin Janell's roses.

This was for cousin Donna who has a large collection of snowmen.

This was for cousin Betty who is almost ready to retire and loves making  quilts.

This was cousin David's who was an All Star Football player in High School and College!

This was sister Judy's who has a collection of Crosses. And has more of my paintings than she probably wants!

The month of July is full of family birthdays! This is out youngest son John who would have been  54 on the 7th. Often wonder what his life would be like now if he were still living!   Hope you are enjoying your summer! We are having lots of grand kids visiting!

CHANGING FROM SPRING TO SUMMER AND PATRIOTIC DECORATIONS

The Dining Room Table is ready for my Cousins Reunion here on the 4th of July.

Replaced the sofa pillows to the Summer Geranium ones. I painted the geraniums on canvas cloth and sewed them on to gingham years ago. I always enjoy using  them in the summer!

Mother crocheted  this "1976" afghan and I always said someday I want this for our home which we build and moved into in 1976.

No matter the season one of my happy sock monkeys sits in my chair in the front room

Patriotic touch to the dining room garland.

My biggest Teddy Bear has the honor of being The Flag Bearer!

I finished this Sunbonnet Sue Wall Hanging for the Grand kids room recently.

The Stars hanging on the kitchen chandelier  are a new addition this year. I drew a star on cardboard to fit the 5"X5" fabric pieces, then cut a double piece plus a batting piece and sewed them together with string in a running stitch leaving enough string for  hanging.

Then with the scrap pieces left---

I overlapped them on a piece of muslin in the shape of a heart and free motioned sewed them on the muslin  Then on to a blue cloth outlining with red ball fringe, made a pillow back and got me a patriotic pillow for our old "Uncle Earl Rocking Chair in the Kitchen.

And a Happy "Independence Day" One and All!

A FEW DAYS SHOPPING AND EATING IN CASSVILLE AND MONETT, MO.

Loved this old red refrig. at the ice cream/ barbecue shoppe!

Such a cute & happy place!

And oh wow was it good!

Me- Beef, Chips and Chocolate Milkshake. He- Chicken, Chips and  Homemade Ice Cream (1 scoop Lemon and 1 scoop Peanut Butter)

 I ask if they had a list of flavors, so I could share with you. She said ," no because they change the flavors all the time" Wow! What about that Creme Brulee flavor!

They had about 12-14 flavors when we were there!

Little red table and chairs outside and Beautiful Red Geranium Planters!

Such a fun and creative shop!

 I picked up some really cool  ideas!

Loved their fabric swag too!

They even had an old Candy Counter!

The owner had a neat Aqua Refrig too!. It works! She keeps her lunch in it!

Sadly I had to leave these 3 old fence sections behind as they wouldn't fit in out van! We tried!  And they were only $15.00 each!  Boo!!

My treasures from the trip!

The little quilt has found it's home already! I will back it in old muslin and bind it in red later!  Hope you are finding some fun new places too!

THE HEN FINALLY GOT HER CHICKENS

I had put out the word that my hen was needing some chicks!  I came home the other day to find a box on my back porch. Good friend Sue Spradlin had answered my call!

She brought enough for me to start them several places! Here's Hopin!

I could have washed off the dirt but I was hurrying to beat the rain that has come almost every day lately!

My Beta Sigma Phi group had their last meeting  at our house before summer break.  We had an inside picnic with Sub Way Sandwiches (from Walmart Deli), Slaw, Baked Beans ,Chips and Peach Tea.

Then for dessert everybody brought the makings for Banana Splits. Yum!

Good to the last bite! Couldn't resist calling attention to Carol's 2nd dish!

I framed one of my recent watercolor paintings for the hostess gift.

We got to have some time with great grandson Eli and his Momma before he went back to Utah.

Son Paul joined us for a trip to the zoo. It was perfect weather

Eli checked out the blooming blackberry bushes.

And the little Zinnias coming up!  Hope you aare enjoying new life around your place too!

FUN AT LADIES TEA, SHOPPING AND MOTHERS DAY GIFT!

My outfit for the "Woman Around the World" Tea.

Lovely Spread!

Husband Maurice at his place of Service!

88 in Attendance. You can kind of see my table decorations.

Photo Shot of Sister Judy at  a fun Antique Mall in Collins, Mo.

Of course we always find fun stuff!!

It's Red! What more can I say!

Maurice struggling to plant my Mother's Day Present.

A White Dogwood. Female I Hope!