New Dog, Old Dog, New Tricks

Autumn here has been at the very least two plus months long and beautiful.  At the end of August maple leaves began to turn here and there.  Now nearing the end of October some maples are still beginning their color change along with the oaks...

Here is a view of the shoreline while we were taking our new dog, Griffin, for a boat ride recently.   He loves the water, chases frisbees into the lake and absolutely loves boat rides.   He is not a young dog, but has adapted very nicely to our home and fits right in with the dogs we already had.  He is a corgi with a mellow  personality.   We are happy to have him.

Our original dog family includes 8 yr. old large hound/lab?/shepherd? mix, Reggie.  Usually quite well behaved and sedate, he has taken to grazing along the kitchen counters.  Last week I bought a fabulous apple pie at a bake sale.  Reggie's new trick was to remove the pie from the counter and share it with our other corgi, Sadie.   She is the sassy-looking one in the left front of the group photo.  I had to laugh at Sadie licking out the pie pan on the kitchen floor.   I am more careful with baked goods now.

Heritage Farmstay

Escaped to the year 1910 today with a group of lady friends for lunch.   A long drive for some, it was only an hour away for me through the beginning of the color changes.... lots of reds and red-oranges in the maples already with a bit of deep wine foliage here and there.   I have a feeling it will be a beautiful, colorful fall.

We carpooled and met at this restored farmstead which is also a B & B, or "farmstay" as our hostess prefers.   Susan cooks on a vintage "Round Oak" stove, has a hand-pump in the kitchen sink and a yard-full of chickens.   She is an authority on vintage recipes and keeps her meals as authentic as possible.  Her website is http://www.hillsidehomestead.com/ and an interesting article with photos is here  http://www.mlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2011/07/hillside_homestead_new_bb_open.html

More Chenille and a Rainy Driveway Sale

The chenille quilting bug has bitten me big time.... literally.  I just finished this 90" x 102" patchwork creation as a custom order through my Etsy shop.  It came together quite beautifully ~ very soft shabby and chic-looking.    As a respite from sewing I tackled the garage which is full to over-flowing with my estate sale finds.  In fact, I couldn't open the garage door to set up inside, so all the bargains were under tarps in the driveway in case of rain.   It poured the first two hours of the sale!!!   Nonetheless, it was successful, happy people went away with damp treasures and there is a wee bit more room in my garage! 

"I Like Painting"

My kitchen has seemed as though it is about 18" too wide.... always requiring an extra couple of steps to get from one side to the next when I am rushing.   Well, I'm over it!  With an almost 2 and 1/2 yr. old granddaughter set up with child-size table and chairs in the middle of it, my kitchen is now the perfect size.  I babysat her for a couple of days and an overnight last weekend and thought she would enjoy her first painting experience.   She loved it and declared "I like painting!"  I enjoyed watching her wield the paintbrush with both hands equally well, but I'd say she is favoring her left hand,  yes?

Repurposed Chenille

Since I do not seem to have the skills [i.e.: attention span] to absolutely love traditional quilting, I have let myself go with my vintage chenille stash and have been creating some luscious patchwork quilts and throws for snuggling with babies and anyone else for that matter.  Here are photos of a few yummy quilts recently completed.

Reunion of Generations of Good Friends

Nearly 40 yrs. ago while living at a rather remote inland lake, I was longing for a friend both for myself and my toddler.  Back then homeowners names were posted boldly on mailboxes and births were published in the newspaper daily.  When I noticed a birth announcement for neighbors whose name I recognized from having driven by their mailbox, I baked a loaf of banana bread, bundled my toddler on her sled and trudged a half mile through the January snow to introduce myself.  

This wonderful friendship grew, we each had another baby within weeks of each other, and we were always on the lookout for other young mothers in the neighborhood.  One by one, we found newcomers, created play dates for the kids, potlucks for the entire families and the above photo is the result.  Our core group still gets together for birthdays, showers, multi-annual potlucks and parties.  Just one more gal is waiting for grandmother-hood.   We assure her it will happen with patience.   Not all of our daughters were present at this luncheon this past Saturday, but this was a joyful reunion for moms and daughters alike.... one granddaughter could be with us, too.

Art & Craft Fairs

Thought you might enjoy a couple of shots of my booth at the beachfront fair yesterday.   Pure shabby chic cottage decor.   It was great!  Lots of friends came through.  Sales were good.  The location was excellent.   I so enjoy a public presentation and feedback, don't you?